I'm lost help with suspension stuff,

[Redrex]

I'm a complete noob when it comes to cars suspension so sorry for these all time dumb questions.

what is the difference between coilovers and struts? is a coilover just a better version of a strut? do u just buy coilovers and replace the struts with them or what? or are they two seperate things that the car needs and are both on from factory?

I ask because I think a strut or something is blown on my car (03 wrx) and on right turns it sounds like something is scraping or anytime it need to compress a little bit from a dip or something(sound comes from left rear tire area)

so I want to upgrade them, but need help in the knowledge department of this. What are the best ways to upgrade your suspension little by little besides the ebay h brace(gonna order one soon).

How should the process start? get struts, then coilovers, then sway bar etc?

I drive my car 95 % on the streetm but I do enjoy the dirt roads around my area time to time.


are these anygood? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330365005864&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
I dont want to lower my car at all btw, but I am such a noob I cant tell it the guy is saying it will lower it 1.5 inches and raise the car 3.5 ow whatever. Sorry and thanks for all the help :shootsself:

[Newk_Rally]

well coil-overs are kind of like a strut(using the term loosely) spring combo.... you would replace your struts and springs with a coil over system. the best way to upgrade your suspension over time would be to buy struts check out feal suspension they're testing some good stuff right now, you can also look at tokico d spec or kyb agx's then you can replace the springs with forester springs or outback sport springs and many other springs of this nature. or you could just do it all at once with a coil over system but that's going to cost a little bit more.

[williaty]

what is the difference between coilovers and struts? is a coilover just a better version of a strut?
It's just marketing BS. Our stock system is technically a coilover. A coilover just means the coil goes over the damper (strut).

From a marketing perspective, coilover tends to me an aftermarket strut with a small diameter, linear rate spring over it.

[quoute]do u just buy coilovers and replace the struts with them or what? or are they two seperate things that the car needs and are both on from factory?[/quote]
Aftermarket coilovers replace the factory spring and strut (and sometimes the strut mounts as well).

How should the process start? get struts, then coilovers, then sway bar etc?If you can't clearly list why you need coilovers and only coilovers, you don't want coilovers. --Rule of Biggly.

I drive my car 95 % on the streetm but I do enjoy the dirt roads around my area time to time.There is no coilover that I know of for less than $5k (other than the new, yet to be sold RSSP budget version) that will tolerate gravel or dirt.


are these anygood?No. And I didn't even click the link.

[UP2MTNS]

^^ what he said.


except Barret's 40mm coilovers will handle gravel just fine....around $2200 last time I checked. www.allwheeldriven.com (http://www.allwheeldriven.com)

and JVL Sooper Bitchin' Suspenders are also around $2K and are rally proven. www.rallyanarchy.com (http://www.rallyanarchy.com)


I beat on my Bilstein PSS9's at rallyX's (less than $2K) for 2 yrs and they did pretty good....when I blew one strut, they fixed it under warranty.


as far as a 'mod path'....start w/upgrading your endlinks and sway bars.

then tires. your stock suspension is pretty good for your driving application.


w/hindsight being 20/20 and knowing what I know now......get an L&E Quick steering column or upgrade your center diff before spending +$2K on your suspension, those will affect how you drive your car more than suspension on a daily basis.

[sebhockey]

I'm going to agree with Williaty on all cept the nothing good under 5k for dirt ala Allwheelsdriven's coilovers.

As a place to start with for suspension upgrades tires, they are going to affect your handling far more than anything else. As far as which ones that is going to depend on what you want out of your car, it's impossble to get one thing to cover many specialties so get what fits you best. The same goes for the rest of the suspension order of upgrade or want to upgrade will depend on what you want out of it.

If you just want an all around decent suspension I would just replace your (suspected) blown strut along with all the others to give equal dampening. Then get some good rubber that meets your needs and stronger endlinks and be done with it.

[bfrancis827]

I wouldn't buy anything too expensive until you are absolutely sure about what you want to do with your car. You may not think you want to do something now, but give it a few months and something may catch your eye. I was going to get some "coilovers" at one point, but am glad I didn't because I am about to get some All Wheels Driven Gravel Suspension.

[Jard]

I'm going to agree with Williaty on all cept the nothing good under 5k for dirt ala Allwheelsdriven's coilovers.

Lots of people are having good luck with Hotbits.

For a rallycross car, you can't beat Tokico D-Specs and STI springs. I had good luck with the D-Specs and stock WRX wagon springs last year too.

[williaty]

Yeah, but old hotbits or new hotbits? Old hotbits were well made. New hotbits are taiwanese crap.

[Redrex]

Wow thankyou guys. Checked the strut and it has oil around it. It makes a god awfull noise, but I noticed it only makes the sound if there is anyone in the car, but me. I'm gonna think about what you guys said and tomorrow I will try and have another question or anwer. Thanks to all so far!!!

[Redrex]

hmm well I;ve been thinking can I swap the springs and struts off an 04 sti? Bolt up no mods done?

[Jard]

hmm well I;ve been thinking can I swap the springs and struts off an 04 sti? Bolt up no mods done?
Yep.

You'll need the struts, springs, and tophats though.

There are differences in the tophats depending on what rear springs you use. 02-03 WRX need a certain top and 04-07 WRX/STI need a certain top.

[Redrex]

Yep.

You'll need the struts, springs, and tophats though.

There are differences in the tophats depending on what rear springs you use. 02-03 WRX need a certain top and 04-07 WRX/STI need a certain top.

would it be worth while to do this swap out? Depending on cost. Where could I get some used ones?

[Newk_Rally]

nasioc would be the best place to start.

[williaty]

Don't bother.

1) 04 struts are getting very long in the tooth by this point both in terms of likely mileage and in terms of just sheer age

2) 04 STi struts probably clunk. They were the first year of STi and it wasn't yet well documented to how avoid and correct strut clunk.

[Redrex]

Don't bother.

1) 04 struts are getting very long in the tooth by this point both in terms of likely mileage and in terms of just sheer age

2) 04 STi struts probably clunk. They were the first year of STi and it wasn't yet well documented to how avoid and correct strut clunk.


would other years besides 04 work?

[williaty]

Nope, only the 04 STi struts will fit anything other than an STi. However, any year of USDM STi springs are a good upgrade. Try the USDM STi springs with the Tokico D-Spec struts.

[Redrex]

Alright gonna start googling lol
*edit*

These or these?

Neither will lower my car will they? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKICO-4-DSPEC-ADJ-STRUTS-SHOCKS-SUBARU-WRX-02-03_W0QQitemZ400081807587QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_ Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5d26bbe8e3



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKICO-HP-BLUE-SHOCKS-STRUTS-SET-SUBARU-WRX-02-03_W0QQitemZ170318522669QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_ Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item27a7c6692d

I apologize for all the question, but truly appreciate everyones help.



Thats the last thing I want. I'm having to much fun crossing a river every day to school.

[Jard]

Don't bother.

1) 04 struts are getting very long in the tooth by this point both in terms of likely mileage and in terms of just sheer age

2) 04 STi struts probably clunk. They were the first year of STi and it wasn't yet well documented to how avoid and correct strut clunk.
Depends how cheap they are and you can always take them apart and re-grease them. :)

But yeah, +1 to Tokico D-Specs and USDM STI springs. That's what I'm running right now on my wagon.

[williaty]

Alright gonna start googling lol
*edit*

These or these?

Neither will lower my car will they?I apologize for all the question, but truly appreciate everyones help.



Thats the last thing I want. I'm having to much fun crossing a river every day to school.
The D-Specs, not the Blues. However, that is a TOTAL RIPOFF price. Get them from TiC for less than that plus you can get the Scooby921 spacers that you're going to need anyway. And Adjustment Extenders if you have a sedan.

[Redrex]

The D-Specs, not the Blues. However, that is a TOTAL RIPOFF price. Get them from TiC for less than that plus you can get the Scooby921 spacers that you're going to need anyway. And Adjustment Extenders if you have a sedan.


yesp I have a sedan 03 in fact.
Nevermind I figured what TiC is. I was just reading you would only need scooby spacers on an 04 plus sedan per this is this true?http://www.turninconcepts.com/product_info.php?products_id=234 Eventually I will figure this all out.

[williaty]

yesp I have a sedan 03 om fact. what is TiC?
Turn In Concepts

[Redrex]

Turn In Concepts

Yep.Sorry about that. That site makes me wish I had lots of spare money.

[mad matt]

I had a question, but then I read some more and found the answer.

So I'll just say thanks.

:eek:

[rallyimprezive]

yesp I have a sedan 03 in fact.
Nevermind I figured what TiC is. I was just reading you would only need scooby spacers on an 04 plus sedan per this is this true?http://www.turninconcepts.com/product_info.php?products_id=234 Eventually I will figure this all out.

If you have an 03, you do NOT need the spacers.