I would get a good set. I live in Alberta and the roads can be shit here so it sucks with bad coil overs. I heard Bc racing coil overs also make some really good ones for street and track.
Coilovers vs Springs in Northeast (NY/NJ/CT Area)
Was curious if anyone on here from the tri-state area has had any experiences with coilovers vs springs and what were your experiences?
Our roads aren't the best, and I keep debating in my head if it makes sense to get a good set of high quality coilovers for a street car (I'll track it like once a year at most, it's mostly for the street) or go with something like a used set of sti pink struts.
I never had any experience with coilovers so I don't know if it's right for me or not. From reading I've seen people say that a good set of KWs or Ohlins are comfortable (but expensive), and I'm just trying to sort out if it's worth splurging on a set of expensive coil overs or would I get a better user experience out of maybe getting a used set of oem struts or something similar in nature.
Our roads aren't the best, and I keep debating in my head if it makes sense to get a good set of high quality coilovers for a street car (I'll track it like once a year at most, it's mostly for the street) or go with something like a used set of sti pink struts.
I never had any experience with coilovers so I don't know if it's right for me or not. From reading I've seen people say that a good set of KWs or Ohlins are comfortable (but expensive), and I'm just trying to sort out if it's worth splurging on a set of expensive coil overs or would I get a better user experience out of maybe getting a used set of oem struts or something similar in nature.
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I've experienced both. I'm near Philadelphia, PA so I know the struggle with city roads.
My S14 (very similar weight to the first gen impreza) was on coils. That really sucked. It was really low when I got it and even on the highest setting it was not fun. Standard 8k & 6k rates.
I recently got a Legacy wagon on some Bilstein coils and the previous owner loved the ride quality of them.
Bilstein seem to be on the pricier side though.
My daily driver for 8 years was an impreza coupe. When I first got it, it was on blown factory struts.
I went over to some Eibach springs and some KYB AGX struts.
That was a really nice setup. I actually bought a stiffer set of Eiback springs for those struts which I'm dying to try out.
Car is currently down for wheel bearings.
Honestly, just get a good spring and strut setup.
It's a little more involved though, since you have to build them yourself.
They both get attached the same ( 3 nuts up top and 2 bolts on the bottom + the 5 lug nuts)
I just suggest it because coils are way too stiff for crappy roads.
Great for a racetrack but not for a daily.
My other S14 is all solid bushing, coilovers, poly mounts on everything.
I'll let you know if I still have all my teeth after driving it for a while.
My S14 (very similar weight to the first gen impreza) was on coils. That really sucked. It was really low when I got it and even on the highest setting it was not fun. Standard 8k & 6k rates.
I recently got a Legacy wagon on some Bilstein coils and the previous owner loved the ride quality of them.
Bilstein seem to be on the pricier side though.
My daily driver for 8 years was an impreza coupe. When I first got it, it was on blown factory struts.
I went over to some Eibach springs and some KYB AGX struts.
That was a really nice setup. I actually bought a stiffer set of Eiback springs for those struts which I'm dying to try out.
Car is currently down for wheel bearings.
Honestly, just get a good spring and strut setup.
It's a little more involved though, since you have to build them yourself.
They both get attached the same ( 3 nuts up top and 2 bolts on the bottom + the 5 lug nuts)
I just suggest it because coils are way too stiff for crappy roads.
Great for a racetrack but not for a daily.
My other S14 is all solid bushing, coilovers, poly mounts on everything.
I'll let you know if I still have all my teeth after driving it for a while.
strut and spring, I really liked AGX's paired with bugeye SPT springs. the only time you should do coilovers is if it's a dedicated track car.
^That really does look good Silverton. What spring rate are those bugeye springs?
I don't know the first thing about building struts and springs so apologies if these are dumb questions:
-How do you get camber adjustment?
-Would it make sense to get the group N strut mounts if I go with a spring and strut combo?
-When shopping for spring/strut combos online does it matter if it's for 5X100 or 5X114?
-What are good springs for spirited canyon runs/occasional autocross? I doubt I do much autocross but I want to keep the option open
-What aftermarket struts do you recommend? Any oem used ones worth looking into?
-How do you get camber adjustment?
-Would it make sense to get the group N strut mounts if I go with a spring and strut combo?
-When shopping for spring/strut combos online does it matter if it's for 5X100 or 5X114?
-What are good springs for spirited canyon runs/occasional autocross? I doubt I do much autocross but I want to keep the option open
-What aftermarket struts do you recommend? Any oem used ones worth looking into?
The conclusion I'm reaching about the whole spring/strut vs coilover debate after spending some time looking into it is unless you have money for Ohlins and are willing to invest in them, you're much better off with a good spring/strut set up vs a cheap or middle tier coilover.
Basically Ohlins, KW V3s/Clubsport, or equivalent is the only set up to consider over spring/strut if it's a street car. They're the only ones that will give you close to the same comfort level with superior performance. But of course, at a significant cost.
Basically Ohlins, KW V3s/Clubsport, or equivalent is the only set up to consider over spring/strut if it's a street car. They're the only ones that will give you close to the same comfort level with superior performance. But of course, at a significant cost.
You can get a camber adjustable strut tower mount, or use the standard camber bolts if you just need a few degrees.-How do you get camber adjustment?
Stiffer strut mounts is gonna be a good plus for handling, if you do end up taking it on curvy roads. Upgrade your swaybars and maybe add a good strut tower too.-Would it make sense to get the group N strut mounts if I go with a spring and strut combo?
Save the stock parts for emergencies.
Its better to stick to the variant that your car comes with to avoid extra unnecessary labor.-When shopping for spring/strut combos online does it matter if it's for 5X100 or 5X114?
Take care of the body roll first with sways and upgrade your brakes first if you can.-What are good springs for spirited canyon runs/occasional autocross? I doubt I do much autocross but I want to keep the option open
I concur and vouch with everyone on the KYB AGX struts. In my personal setup, I preferred that with Tein H-Techs (Gold) lowerings springs. Coilovers are mostly for Florida roads. People blow them too often or bend in the strut towers after snow season up here in the northeast, not worth the cost especially if you'll daily drive or if you don't need the suspension stiffness. Unless if you have a fat wallet of course 😉-What aftermarket struts do you recommend? Any oem used ones worth looking into?
18 or 20MM rear sway bar with Prodrive P1 springs and V5 struts.
Great combo though I dont think you can get the V5 struts any more. Heard the setup with AGXs is very similar. Nice and stiff that you could track but still deal with crappy PA roads.
For the money I would do springs and struts. If you have the money the expensive coilovers are great from what I hear. Dont have experience with them. Another option is the Koni's inserts. More work but you can get the valving matched to the springs better. Great middle option if you want higher rate springs like is in a ground control setup if you dont want full coilovers.
Great combo though I dont think you can get the V5 struts any more. Heard the setup with AGXs is very similar. Nice and stiff that you could track but still deal with crappy PA roads.
For the money I would do springs and struts. If you have the money the expensive coilovers are great from what I hear. Dont have experience with them. Another option is the Koni's inserts. More work but you can get the valving matched to the springs better. Great middle option if you want higher rate springs like is in a ground control setup if you dont want full coilovers.
I agree with this. I put some not very nice ISC coilovers on my 2.5RS and it isn't a great experience driving around. Glorious on smooth roads but those are few and far between. I'm also in the Philly area.Honestly, just get a good spring and strut setup.
It's a little more involved though, since you have to build them yourself.
They both get attached the same ( 3 nuts up top and 2 bolts on the bottom + the 5 lug nuts)
I just suggest it because coils are way too stiff for crappy roads.
Great for a racetrack but not for a daily.
My experience on high quality, possibly not 100% perfectly self-installed coilovers:Was curious if anyone on here from the tri-state area has had any experiences with coilovers vs springs and what were your experiences?
Our roads aren't the best
in the city : from meh to uncomfortable to frustrating
on relatively smoother rural two lane highways : rare sunlit moments of true bliss
on smooth interstate highways : performant and enjoyable for short to medium length trips
on bumpy interstate highways : sufferable to mildly uncomfortable for short to medium length trips
on heavily potted unmaintained rural back roads : slowed down significantly to avoid damaging the car
Yeah I'm glad I brought this up because the forum convinced me to go with struts and springs instead of coilovers. I'm glad I got there because dropping big coin on some Ohlins only to learn that they weren't really practical for the street would've been a terrible investment on my end.My experience on high quality, possibly not 100% perfectly self-installed coilovers:
in the city : from meh to uncomfortable to frustrating
on relatively smoother rural two lane highways : rare sunlit moments of true bliss
on smooth interstate highways : performant and enjoyable for short to medium length trips
on bumpy interstate highways : sufferable to mildly uncomfortable for short to medium length trips
on heavily potted unmaintained rural back roads : slowed down significantly to avoid damaging the car
If you don't mind me asking, what coilovers did you have?
Nice, it is a rally car after all.
PM'd you the model to avoid trashing the brand online etc.If you don't mind me asking, what coilovers did you have?
Question for those of you who built your shock/spring set up, I'm reading that inverted struts from subaru had clunking issues and are uncomfortable. Anyone have any experience with this?
One option I'm exploring is kyb agx strut with eibach spring, group n top hat, camber bolts.
Other option was going with koni instead of kyb.
Another option I was looking into were rebuilt s204 struts with sti springs, group n top hats and camber bolts but now I'm reading that these were designed to work on japanese streets which would ride uncomfortably on our streets. I don't even know if these would fit honestly I have a long way to go in my research and learning here. I wanted to entertain this as an option because my thinking is if I can upgrade anything on the car with subaru made parts then it would just be more oem plus'ish if feasible. But I'm not sure if this is truly the best upgrade or not, or if it's even feasible.
But does anyone have any experience trying to retrofit any s202,203,204 strut/spring set ups on your car?
One option I'm exploring is kyb agx strut with eibach spring, group n top hat, camber bolts.
Other option was going with koni instead of kyb.
Another option I was looking into were rebuilt s204 struts with sti springs, group n top hats and camber bolts but now I'm reading that these were designed to work on japanese streets which would ride uncomfortably on our streets. I don't even know if these would fit honestly I have a long way to go in my research and learning here. I wanted to entertain this as an option because my thinking is if I can upgrade anything on the car with subaru made parts then it would just be more oem plus'ish if feasible. But I'm not sure if this is truly the best upgrade or not, or if it's even feasible.
But does anyone have any experience trying to retrofit any s202,203,204 strut/spring set ups on your car?
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