Best Lowering Springs

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11-21-2003, 03:51 PM

MonkeyAB

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Car Info: 2001 Impreza 2.5RS(Ti)

Best Lowering Springs

I would like to lower my '03 WRX since I will be putting on 17" wheels in the near future. I want to get handling improvements and I think it's looks a lot better sitting a little lower. I'm hearing that if I get lowering springs my struts will need replacing and I can't afford to go the coil-over route.

1. Is there any way to avoid the struts going if I lower the car with springs?

2. How long should struts last if I replace the springs?

3. How much do the OEM struts cost?

4. Theroretical question: If the struts are just dampers, and the damping force = c * v where c is damping coefficient and v is velocity, then what causes the struts to go?

Thanks and cheers,

Monkey

11-21-2003, 09:34 PM

Kevin M

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As long as you keep the drop at 1.5" or less with springs not more than 20% stiffer than stock, like Eibach ProKits, Tein softs, Whiteline Controls, etc., then your stock struts will work okay. They will wear quicker due to the restriced travel the lowering creates. The good news is, you can get the springs now, and later on when your struts give out (depending on your driving habits, they could last anywhere from 35-75k) you can replace them with KYB AGX, which are less expensive at $450 a set or get Koni inserts installed, which are a little better but also cost more.

11-22-2003, 07:31 AM

DizzyWRX

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I replaced my springs with Tein S-techs which drop the car 2" in the front, and 0.7" in the rear about 5 months ago. Today, my struts dont' feel any different from the day i installed the springs.

11-22-2003, 12:02 PM

delmoral

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I was thinking of getting the S-tech, I thought they were 1.5 up front and 1.2 in the rear? or do they come in different sizes?

11-23-2003, 03:01 PM

TroyBoy24

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Car Info: 03 sliver WRX

I got a pair of Perrin Lowering springs and I love them. It gave the car an awsome lowered look, and the car is about 1.9 in front and 1.5 in back.

11-23-2003, 03:51 PM

MonkeyAB

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Can someone please tell me the stiffness of the stock springs?

11-23-2003, 11:47 PM

Monkey Boy

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Here you go...

Check out this link: http://www.ravensblade-impreza.com/t...ng/spring.html

Personally, this winter I'm going to put together a set of Prodrive Springs with Koni struts... Many folks say that while the stiffer lowering springs work fine with the stock struts, the stock struts a bit underdamped and the ride can get bouncy fast as they start to wear. I would add the prodrive to the list, it was actually designed around the stock strut)

Power to the Monkeys! :banana:

11-26-2003, 08:10 AM

wrxman69

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Sorry I don't have a picture for you, but I have the Eibach
pro springs on my car, along with 17" BBS RG-R wheels.

Everything is great except about three months after having
the springs installed, a couple of the stock struts are
absolutely shot. Keep in mind my car was only about
four months old when the Eibachs were installed.

Do it right and upgrade the struts with the springs. I was
lead to believe the Eibachs would coexist with the stock
struts, and now I have to pull it all apart and pay to get
the car aligned again when I get my new struts.

good luck!

11-26-2003, 09:24 AM

MonkeyAB

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Ok so I have the spring rate, I was wondering if anyone knows the damping coefficient on the stock struts. I'm thinking I'll run a simulation in Matlab just for kicks.

11-26-2003, 09:50 AM

#10

qwk_wrx

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there is a new kit that is designed by NRX Performance that is designed to be used w/ the stock struts and still reliable...they have a feature article in the new Turbo magazine or check em out at

www.NRXperformance.com

they are fully adjustable and come w/ camber plates (front and Rear) and are fully ride hieght adjustable....

looks like a good set up, Eibach springs and everything is machined real nicely...good luck

Rocky

11-26-2003, 09:59 AM

#11

JDM 3SGTE

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personally i think the prodrive springs are the best spring for handling and looks. i believe the difference between the front and rear spring rates is ~20 front. you want the rear spring rate to be fairly high if you want to get rid of understeer. the next best in my opinion is the eibach pro-kit. the difference btw the front and rear is about the same as the prodrive, but the spring rate is much closer to stock, which means you will have a better ride.

11-26-2003, 10:02 AM

#12

JDM 3SGTE

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eibach prokit
02+ WRX: (Front: 171 lbs/in; Rear: 160 lbs/in)

11-26-2003, 11:35 AM

#13

Monkey Boy

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Hmmm the eibachs sound nice... Those are really the spring rates I'm looking for... To bad they don't even out the look of the car like the Prodrives... Half way between the Prodrives and the stock springs... As I really suspected the prodrive springs seems to be a little to stiff for the dirt... I have another thread going here. I would upgrade my struts at the same time I would my springs as wrxman69 suggested...

I wonder how the eibachs do with the Koni's struts? Anyone know?

Last edited by Monkey Boy; 11-26-2003 at 11:56 AM.