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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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!

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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