Well we have been working on some things for the 08 STI for a while now. I have logged alot of time in dealer 08 STI's and customers etc. gathering a feel for the car and how to make it better. Today " GW" dropped off his white 08 STI to allow us to test fit our first set of prototype "SPORT LOWERING SPRINGS". The next test will be with the new FUNCTIONAL LOWERING SPRINGS". Whats the difference?...

Well the 08 STI is SUPER travel challenged. Meaning doesnt have much travel to begin with, as in LESS than the 04-07 STI !!..which was horrible also. So the FLS's will only lower about 5-10mm TOPS.....and the SLS's will lower 20mm. The SLS's purpose will be for people who want an increased rate and a lower stance while the FLS will be pure function. Increased rate ANDretain as much travel as possible.

We are going to include bump stops with all the kits and while the REARS now use a super long bump stop, we are working on a solution for the rear OTHER than cutting the existing one as we did in this test. ( 15mm we cut off in the rear) . In the front we used a shorter( 9mm) firmer bump stop. We used the corner weights from a Legacy and compared them to the 08 STI and compared the front Bilstein Sport internal stops from Japan with the ones from our existing 04-07 STI kits and are still testing these. So nothing final, but I know we are on the right track. The objective with the FLS will be to retain the stock travel ( as much of it as possible) while increasing spring rates. Trust me when I say attention is being paid to ensure these is no coil binding.

Anyway, so we will have pics tomorrow of the SPORT LOWERING SPRINGS( SLS) on stock wheels etc. Driving impressions to follow.

Just wanted to keep you guys in the loop as to what we were working on.

FUNCTIONAL LOWERING SPRINGS( FLS) will follow shortly.

 

Just took a ride to the powder coater and I have to say these springs really do a nice job of making the 08 STI less floaty yet its NOT bouncy at all. One really has to forget the old car to examine the new car accurately. It helps if you spend some time in a Legacy to gather what you need to look for. I know I am not explaining this well, but give me some time. All in all this car has alot of potential. Its wet out today and so there is no grip exploring, merely comfort impressions. Like its big brother even with limited travel there doesnt seem to be any real signs of it unless you look for LARGE , HUGE bumps to hit on purpose in which yes you can find the bump stops, or what seems like the bump stops. ...., BUT that happens on any lowered car if the bump is large enough.

Some of us are aware of those things in the road and many of us are not. Cell phones and other nice cars make sure of that !! After bending a set of nice wheels I learned to pay attention to the road. I say all this because part of the reality of the newer car will be who hits the big stuff in the road and who does not, and thats if you have a lowered car or not.

With that said...the sun it out now and maybe we can get a dry line.

Here are some pics of the SPORT LOWERING SPRINGS. This is a 20mm drop.

 

 

more pics