Suspension Question

[sfb247]

I have been driving my 04 Sti with Tein Super Street coilovers for last 3 yrs. but i now am getting bored and want to start driving fire roads hear and there or some dry lake beds. I use this car for daily driver so i wasn't looking to go crazy with driving it off road but want to have a decent set up when i do decide to play..
I been reading and seems like tokico D-Specs are the low cost and effective way. I was wondering what would be good set up for mid range cost and for budget. What Struts/coilovers,springs and what Spring rates are recommended.

I been reading a lot about DMS, Hotbits,tokico D-Specs, and Stock STi rebuilt from Feals as well. I would love to hear what people have experienced with diff suspension setups

[williaty]

Honestly, the smart choices are the STi take off springs with D-Specs for the budget crowd and the "Budget" (HA!) RS&SPs if you want to spend about twice as much, and then the full RS&SPs or other full-on rally coilovers if you want to spend WAY more.

Springs and struts together for that option would be under $700
Last time I checked, the "Budget" RS&SPs were $1800
Full rally coilovers would be $5500+ for something you'll really like.


Frankly, until someone is paying you to race, stick with the D-Specs and STi take off springs.

[sfb247]

Thanks,
What spring rates would you suggest?
Also what other suspension mod would you recommend if needed? Sway bars,Control arms etc.

[williaty]

If you're going with the STi take off springs, you don't get a choice.

If you're going with coilovers, get something that works out to 225-250lbf/in in whatever units that vendor uses.

[sfb247]

Yeah, What have you heard or experienced with is the Feal rebuild on Sti Struts that was an option as well. What rates would be best if i was not to go with take off's

[williaty]

STi take off springs aren't something you get to pick and choose. You get the rate the factory made them at and there's only one offered. You just give $50 to a STi owner who took them off his car and get on with your life.

I'm sure that the Feal service massively improves stock STi struts. That being said, I think the STi strut is fundamentally a bad design. I also don't see a real-world advantage to the stock STi strut over the D-Specs because people are breaking stock STi struts more often than they're breaking D-Specs.

[sfb247]

Yeah little confusion or miscommunication, i know the Sti springs come what they are but i was wondering if i was to go with something else do you suggest a good rate to go with?

[williaty]

As I said before, something in the 225-250lbf/in.

[sfb247]

Thanks

[Bubba02sti]

I personally use the d specs... and well the only complaint that i have is well... none really... I have them paired with 04 sti tophats and pinks and parinoid spacers in the rear too (for butt sag)too... I personally wouldn't go with a stiffer spring then them either... overall they have been doing great... excellent ride quality and being able to soften them up on some rocky roads has been nice... I would recomend staying away from the AGX struts cause they are a pain the ass to adjust

[sfb247]

Looks like Tokico D spec are the way for little gravel driving with out spending $2500 plus. Goodbye Tein's

[Bubba02sti]

the d specs will hold up to more then just a little gravel driving... ive put mine on jeep trails along with trying to send my self to the moon... they are a great strut... and TIC has them for around 600 i think... so get ahold of them... they are a local vendor on here as well

[ANIGAV inc.]

I have been driving my 04 Sti with Tein Super Street coilovers for last 3 yrs. but i now am getting bored and want to start driving fire roads hear and there or some dry lake beds. I use this car for daily driver so i wasn't looking to go crazy with driving it off road but want to have a decent set up when i do decide to play..
I been reading and seems like tokico D-Specs are the low cost and effective way. I was wondering what would be good set up for mid range cost and for budget. What Struts/coilovers,springs and what Spring rates are recommended.

I been reading a lot about DMS, Hotbits,tokico D-Specs, and Stock STi rebuilt from Feals as well. I would love to hear what people have experienced with diff suspension setups

What did you end up going with? Also, what wheels/tires are you running?

[sfb247]

I decided to go with D-Spec's with stock STi springs and top hats. I will be putting in tomorrow and will let you know what i think. I though i would run stock springs and hats to give them a shot see how they are, i can always upgrade.

I have stock BBS with 225/17/45 i think i will be getting a winter/gravel set with something little more aggressive tire. any suggestions for 17's?

[indytruckboy]

I have been running Hankook ipike 409s on factory BBS wheels on my STI and even won the dirt drags with them. Against jeeps, trucks, etc. They actually told me to slow down or I would be kicked off the track for too fast. This was in mud by the way. Highly recommend.