Coilover choice for 04 Sti

Exaclty. A note on the Tein Flex. I don't get clunks so I'm not sure what everyone esle is talking about. Also they are teflon coated so they don't rust like in the past. The bounce however bugs me to no end. Setting on 16 (softest) bounce really sucks and it's NOT a soft ride. Setting on 0 (hardest) less bounce but still there and it's NOT a soft ride and then some. Only way to get rid of the bounce is to have them revalved and though I can handle a stiffer ride my kids and wife cannot. My 2 year old daughter even tells me my car is too bumpy.

 

I'd go for the KW Variant 3's for that price range... or the Ohlins fixed perch struts with RCE springs if you don't plan on tracking a lot. You may need a napkin though. :biggrin:

 

on the comparison...i wish i could say the truth...but only via pm or phone calls...

you posted pics of the OLD bc racing VH series...

not the new bc racing br series...

how to tell the difference?

THESE ARE OLD- <----OLD!!!!


THESE ARE NEW/SUPERIOR- NEW NEW NEW!!!

black/gold=new coloring

 

yep. 100 in the same area is even worse.

I have tried JDM pink springs, Prodrives (with stock struts) and now the Ohlins fixed perch. The car still bounces like a mofo. Granted I am running stock springs with the Ohlins, so I can go back to stock class for autox. Something like the RCEs would probably be a better match.

I'm pretty much giving up on bobblehead elimination at this point. On iwsti.com the Ohlins are like the second coming or something. I can see where they will be a substantial improvement on the track, but that specific expansion-joint laden man-boob jiggling type of bounce ain't going away. One thing that makes me feel a little better - the Evo IX I test drove (right after I put the Ohlins on) bounced just as much on 100, and had a harsher ride on "normal" roads. (unfortunately I didn't get to try the MR w/Bilsteins.)

With the '04 you have more options than the '05. From what I have read, I would start with the WRX stuts/Koni inserts combo. I think that has made a number of '04 owners happier with their cars. If that doesn't work for you, you aren't out a ton of $, sell them and try something else.

 

I guess Im not wanting to go the cheap route. I would rather buy something good and be done with it. If you add in the mounting/unmounting/mounting cost to try something cheaper, just dosen't figure. maybe if I bump the investment to $2500 or so, I just really want something that will last, not bounce, and be good (or better than good) at the track. So, Ohlins? (not the fixed ones, full coilover) what are other higher end choices?

 

some people dont want to spend Ohlins cash and arent for track only...thats where i come in

i specialize in parts for daily drivers..not just coilovers...i mean the whole business...90% of my clientel are daily drivers...so i must look out for their best interests..after all, my business relys upon it.

 

Have you ever experianced Zeals? Ive been in Josh's car (MCJT) and ide probably give my left nut for a set of those. The ride was crazy smooth, no bouncing what so ever and it huged the corners like you wouldnt believe. If I had that kind of cash ide snag a set up, but im broke so im going to have to find a cheaper set, possibly the BC Racing's.

 

Yeah, I grew-up w/ josh, we were at RA together this fall, when I had my Evo. The Zeals are nice... Im going to have to take his car out for a day and see how I like them.

 

http://zzyzxmotorsports.com/products/coilovers

Every review I read about the Ohlins fixed perch swore up and down that they were "the answer" to the bobblehead, period. They certainly aren't cheap. The point is you can throw $4000 at the suspension, and my guess is, the car is still going to bounce on those freeways. Basically take everything you read with a grain of salt, I don't know if our roads are just that much worse than everywhere else in the country or what.

The only other solution I have seen that supposedly eliminates the bobble are the Konis/WRX struts. You typically don't see coilovers recommended as a solution to making the ride less bouncy. There is a thread somewhere about one guy trying to tune his Whiteline G4s (the "answer" for the '05s before the Ohlins came along) to eliminate it, and he never really got there.

Granted, with 67k on yours, you could be experiencing a whole different level of bounce than is typical.

Get someone here to help you do the install the first time around, plenty of willing hands for cheap (maybe even beer+pizza.) It isn't that hard once you have seen it done, and the experience makes it a lot easier to try other things in the future. If I were spending big $$$ on coilovers and driving the car all winter, I would seriously consider swapping back to stock for the winter months anyway.

If you want a track machine, that is one thing. If you want something that fixes the bobble, that is another. If you find a setup that does both, I want a ride in your car. :biggrin:

 

:biggrin:

 

My vote would be if you want a smooth ride on Minnesota roads, buy a Caddy.

 

I have the KW Variant 3s on my 04 STi. No bounce, quiet. They have independent compression and rebound damping control. Cranked up they are great on the track. On the softer side the ride is much better than stock and better than my previous setup (H&R springs on stock struts) on the street.

I got mine from Myles Williams at RCE after several long discussions regarding the various options. I would call him and discuss your specific needs and see what he thinks.

 

I was reading about those, I don't understand the low speed adjustability, but factory set high speed reasoning, I don't know if thats better or worse.

 

anyone else?

 

RCE's Tarmac 2 was built in a joint effort with KW, so that might be another option if you're looking at KW's.

 

Just talked to someone at JIC sounds like a solid product, but he couldn't say anything that made me feel that I wouldn't have alot of bounce. anyone have JICs?

 

shane and chin do, IMO JIC's aren't streetable. I'd only pout them on a car you're planning on racing.

 

what about ohlins PCV? Thats what i am trying to look into. anyone know where to find'm?

 

Has anyone heard any good things about ohlins?

 

Check post 4 for Ohlins. Im liking those :biggrin:

 

oh man those look sick! are those these?
http://www.rallysportdirect.com/shop/ohlins-subaru-wrx-sti-height-adjustable-coilovers-p-2702.html

 

yep, check the vendors, a little cheaper, not a lot though. trying to sell the wife on them now, otherwise thinking of the KW Variant 3s

 

gotcha. which vendors u talkin about?

 

Agreed...but I am also running 9k springs on a <2700# RS. hehe Even with proper street springs, they are not what you are looking for.

 

ok, what about these choices:

1. RCE springs w/ group n tophats front and rear

2. RCE springs w/ RCE non-lowering (or lowering) camber plate front, group n rear

3. espelir gt springs w/ group n tophats front (or RCE non-lowering camber plate) and group n rear

4. helix dna coilovers

 

#2 FTW. you're going to need new struts no matter what though. KYB AGX or tokico D specs will do the best job the cheapest.

 

OK, so I buy new springs, something a little lower would be nice. And then I put them on my stock struts, that have 70K miles on them....not a good option. So then I start looking for new struts plus springs, and what kind of cost am I looking at for a set up like that. And then I don't have any adjust ability when I go to the track. So...

 

Not sure if you guys are interested, but I talked with BC Racing and we are going to do a group special on the new inverted coilovers. they are too low for me to post the price, but If you send me a PM you can get in on it.

pics can be seen right here-
http://importimageonline.com/product_info.php?products_id=1754

 

05+ only?

 

no no...this goes for 97+ GC8, 02+ wrx/04sti, AND 05+ sti

 

spring rates? adjustability? PM price

 

pm sent

and for everyone else 8/6k....30 way adjustable