In need of new suspension. Need advice!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 45
From: Ewa Beach
Car Info: Subaru WRX STI (blue)
In need of new suspension. Need advice!
Wassup everybody!
I'm thinking from getting my STI suspension upgraded. I'm thinking from Tein because it is cheap and reliable. But there are the tein type flex and tein super street damper. Which one should i get? I'm looking for perfomance and comfort in my suspension. Which one provide better perfomance and comfort? Or is there other company that produce better suspension than tein with the price under 2k? if there is please share the information
. Cause i checked H&R and Zeal.. They are too damn expensive! 
So please help me!
I'm thinking from getting my STI suspension upgraded. I'm thinking from Tein because it is cheap and reliable. But there are the tein type flex and tein super street damper. Which one should i get? I'm looking for perfomance and comfort in my suspension. Which one provide better perfomance and comfort? Or is there other company that produce better suspension than tein with the price under 2k? if there is please share the information
. Cause i checked H&R and Zeal.. They are too damn expensive! So please help me!
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 38
From: CA
Consider your motives before anything, as a lot of people are quick to steer towards coilovers without even thinking. Honestly if all you want to do is lower the stance of your STi a little bit and eliminate a lot of the stock body roll, then the STi springs are more than enough, not to mention they'll save you a good $1100 to $1200.
Yes the Tein Flex's and the Tein SS's are quite nice coilovers, BUT if you're looking for more of a performance-intended set up(frequent tracking/auto X), look to spend more towards the $2000 range for a higher end set up that will, without question, substantially improve the handling characteristics of the STi like the TEIN RA's. I'm not saying that the Flex's or the SS's are weak, not at all, but just because Tein builds these kits, doesn't mean that they are ANY better then a set of great springs in terms of handling improvement.
I personally think that the Flex/SS set up is more for "bling" rights than anything. The only thing that gives the Flex/SS the edge over the STi springs is the reight height adjustability, and even then, 85% of people who have them never end up touching the spring perches to adjust them after the day they installed them. If you want a good balance of comfort and performance, an awesome set of springs will save you A LOT of money. If you want the "Yeah these are Teins" bragging rights and want the flexibility of ride height adjustability over a set of springs, then by all means, get the Flex/SS set up(both are EDFC compatible)..BUT if all you want to do is "even out" the front with the back, then, frankly, you're not using the coilovers for the right purpose which ultimately means that you've probably wasted your $1500 in buying something you will never fully use or use correctly.
Another thing to consider, if you're one to be 'nit-picky', the Tein Flex's are notorious for the rear "clunking" that occurs on the rear coilovers due to the nature of the upper pillowball mounts. Quite a few STi owners who've installed the Flex kit have already complained about this, not knowing that that's just the upper mounts doing what their supposed to be doing. It's really case by case on the Flex clunk issue, as many have not had any clunking while many have it and have either learned to live with it, already expected it, and/or have just moved on to other coilover set ups. On the other hand, the SS is not readily known to "clunk."
If after all this, you still want coilovers, you have PLENTY to choose from. JIC's are good coilvers as well, but, like with any great company, they're not perfect and they have their issues that you can probably do some research on.
Here's what I would do:
-buy a set of STi springs(rallispec.com has them for only $368/set
)
-try them out for a while, and see how you like them.
-If you're not happy, move on to coilovers or other springs...be smart with your money. I'm assuming you have $300+ to blow on springs because you referred to the Teins ealier as "cheap and reliable."
-If you end up liking the springs, well hey, you now have an extra $1100 to cash in on some engine mods!
-STiLL
Yes the Tein Flex's and the Tein SS's are quite nice coilovers, BUT if you're looking for more of a performance-intended set up(frequent tracking/auto X), look to spend more towards the $2000 range for a higher end set up that will, without question, substantially improve the handling characteristics of the STi like the TEIN RA's. I'm not saying that the Flex's or the SS's are weak, not at all, but just because Tein builds these kits, doesn't mean that they are ANY better then a set of great springs in terms of handling improvement.
I personally think that the Flex/SS set up is more for "bling" rights than anything. The only thing that gives the Flex/SS the edge over the STi springs is the reight height adjustability, and even then, 85% of people who have them never end up touching the spring perches to adjust them after the day they installed them. If you want a good balance of comfort and performance, an awesome set of springs will save you A LOT of money. If you want the "Yeah these are Teins" bragging rights and want the flexibility of ride height adjustability over a set of springs, then by all means, get the Flex/SS set up(both are EDFC compatible)..BUT if all you want to do is "even out" the front with the back, then, frankly, you're not using the coilovers for the right purpose which ultimately means that you've probably wasted your $1500 in buying something you will never fully use or use correctly.
Another thing to consider, if you're one to be 'nit-picky', the Tein Flex's are notorious for the rear "clunking" that occurs on the rear coilovers due to the nature of the upper pillowball mounts. Quite a few STi owners who've installed the Flex kit have already complained about this, not knowing that that's just the upper mounts doing what their supposed to be doing. It's really case by case on the Flex clunk issue, as many have not had any clunking while many have it and have either learned to live with it, already expected it, and/or have just moved on to other coilover set ups. On the other hand, the SS is not readily known to "clunk."
If after all this, you still want coilovers, you have PLENTY to choose from. JIC's are good coilvers as well, but, like with any great company, they're not perfect and they have their issues that you can probably do some research on.
Here's what I would do:
-buy a set of STi springs(rallispec.com has them for only $368/set
)-try them out for a while, and see how you like them.
-If you're not happy, move on to coilovers or other springs...be smart with your money. I'm assuming you have $300+ to blow on springs because you referred to the Teins ealier as "cheap and reliable."
-If you end up liking the springs, well hey, you now have an extra $1100 to cash in on some engine mods!
-STiLL
Guest
Posts: n/a
Still will, do you have any idea of what your talking about? Very serious question, because it sure seems like you don't. Not once in that long spiel did you mention the effect of shock/strut dampening has on the handling of an auto. It's not all about spring tension and ride height. If you think you can ride around on cut springs and not adjust to shorter stroke struts and expect your car to handle well, you are in most cases sorely mistaken. When you upgrade to a lower ride height by using lowering springs with the stock strut, you are taking some of the travel away of the strut. This can lead to the botoming out of stuts, and blown struts all together. Some of the people on these forums come here and head the advice that they are given, please think before you give advice next time. Upgrading suspension means to me, the attempt to make an auto handle better, not drop it to the floor, with blown shocks.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 38
From: CA
Will someone please RE-READ my earlier post and find where I am ADVISING the following:
- cut springs
- "drop it to the floor"
- springs are far superior over a high end coilover set up(ducaticorse, if you think the FLEX/SS are at the high end of the performance spectrum, you are, by far, mistaken..many can vouch for that)
- suspension upgrades should SOLELY be based on "spring tension and ride height"
I find it quite ironic that you come posting here in a weak attempt to discredit supposedly these things I advised, as opposed to things of personal opinion. It's also ironic that you can have the nerve to state how wrong I am and how I need to think before I 'give advice,' yet, all you do is come here to say your whole piece about shock/strut dampening(which I'm not even disagreeing with) and offer no enlightenment or possible suggestions as to what this guy can choose from...great 'advice,' buddy. I was just trying to help out a fellow board member...at least I thought I was. Sorry for my total disregard for accuracy and valid 'advice.' I guess you guys can ignore my whole "spiel" I posted earlier. I thought I was helping, I guess not.
**sorry, noname, for giving you such useless info.
-STiLL
- cut springs
- "drop it to the floor"
- springs are far superior over a high end coilover set up(ducaticorse, if you think the FLEX/SS are at the high end of the performance spectrum, you are, by far, mistaken..many can vouch for that)
- suspension upgrades should SOLELY be based on "spring tension and ride height"
I find it quite ironic that you come posting here in a weak attempt to discredit supposedly these things I advised, as opposed to things of personal opinion. It's also ironic that you can have the nerve to state how wrong I am and how I need to think before I 'give advice,' yet, all you do is come here to say your whole piece about shock/strut dampening(which I'm not even disagreeing with) and offer no enlightenment or possible suggestions as to what this guy can choose from...great 'advice,' buddy. I was just trying to help out a fellow board member...at least I thought I was. Sorry for my total disregard for accuracy and valid 'advice.' I guess you guys can ignore my whole "spiel" I posted earlier. I thought I was helping, I guess not.
**sorry, noname, for giving you such useless info.
-STiLL
Last edited by STiLL WILL; Oct 7, 2003 at 09:14 PM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
You see what you started noname?
These topics tend to do this as there is no one right or wrong answer and suspension setup is one of personal preference besides being quite technical as well.
As mentioned and asked previously, you need to determine your motives. If it is looks or some handling improvement, TEIN Flex will do fine. However, if you obtain them with 6kg/mm f and 5kg/mm rear springs you will have more comfort. However, if you order them with 7 and 6 front/rear respectively, you'll have more handling less comfort
EDFC is a nice unit, and if you want the "cool" factor, you can probably spend the extra $350 or so to get it (not to mention the extra installation labor costs - lot of wires). However, if you auto-x that EDFC will put you in to SM class
Other brands that I would consider are DMS and JIC.
btw - ride height adjustability's primary purpose is to be able to corner balance the vehicle per track conditions and driver driving preferences. So, if you get a set of coil overs with that adjustment, I would recommend corner balancing it.
Spring-only upgrades usually last a short time. Unless the spring rates are relatively close to the original spring rates (within 50 ot 70 lbs range of originals) then the shocks won't properly support them and you'll get a very bouncy ride with shortly worn struts. I would not recommend them.
But then again... all of us have our own opinions, so just take is as "opinions."
Good luck.
These topics tend to do this as there is no one right or wrong answer and suspension setup is one of personal preference besides being quite technical as well.
As mentioned and asked previously, you need to determine your motives. If it is looks or some handling improvement, TEIN Flex will do fine. However, if you obtain them with 6kg/mm f and 5kg/mm rear springs you will have more comfort. However, if you order them with 7 and 6 front/rear respectively, you'll have more handling less comfort
EDFC is a nice unit, and if you want the "cool" factor, you can probably spend the extra $350 or so to get it (not to mention the extra installation labor costs - lot of wires). However, if you auto-x that EDFC will put you in to SM class
Other brands that I would consider are DMS and JIC.
btw - ride height adjustability's primary purpose is to be able to corner balance the vehicle per track conditions and driver driving preferences. So, if you get a set of coil overs with that adjustment, I would recommend corner balancing it.
Spring-only upgrades usually last a short time. Unless the spring rates are relatively close to the original spring rates (within 50 ot 70 lbs range of originals) then the shocks won't properly support them and you'll get a very bouncy ride with shortly worn struts. I would not recommend them.
But then again... all of us have our own opinions, so just take is as "opinions."
Good luck.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
STiYLIN
Bay Area
18
Dec 29, 2006 01:44 AM
darkonion
Suspension, Handling, and Brakes
26
Oct 16, 2006 11:28 AM
shum_87
Engine/Power - non turbo (All non turbo Imprezas)
12
Dec 30, 2005 11:49 PM
Slack
Sacramento & Reno
2
Apr 18, 2005 04:29 PM