With nearly 24k on my REX I finally want to sharpen it's reflexes a bit. I will stick with the stock struts, but I'd like some recommendations on such things as bushing kits, end links anti roll bars, and reputable vendors for the same.

My goal is to retain the stock ride height while sharpening the reflexes with a rear bar (adjustable?) plus improve the steering response and feel. I'm not sure I can swing a rev-labs steering rack just yet, but what is the next best way to get rid of that rubbbery on-center feel? For steering reference, I drove an EVO8, and fell in love with the how that beast's steering felt so direct, and connected to the driver. It's haunting!

I don't rally my car, nor do any track events. I DO have fun in the twisty back roads where I can enjoy the car without the ALL_SEEING Eye of the urban justice enforcers. My suspension needs to catch up to my APS/Cobb Club Spec_Access-ECU mods.
So any advice for bushing kits, rear anti roll bars, end links, and even the steering rack will be greatly appreciated.
thanks!
PS I have Bridgsestone RE-950 tires on, since new. 225x50x16s. So the footprint is there
Darryl

 

Well you can replace the steering rack bushing with Whiteline's. This will help the car's steering snap back a bit, but nothing like the EVO8. That thing is crazy! Just like driving a go-kart.

But I just did the steering rack bushings and it is an improvement and it only takes about 1hr. at most to install if you know what you're doing or have good instructions. Hardest part is the driver’s side.

Rear sway bar is a good start as well. Makes a huge difference. Any of the Cusco or Whiteline products are great. I had the Perrin one, which was also great but a little more money because it comes with upgraded mounts. The Perrin has a different look from stock, whiteline or the Cusco bars. It was a little to much for my wagon so I went with a stock sedan bar instead.

There are a few other bushings that help with suspension. The STi groupN set will also help with your needs without changing any ride height and only slight noise/vibration increases. Some of the included bushings are strut tops, front control arm bushings, lateral links and trailing arms, engine and tranny mounts. They all take away some of the spongy feeling of the stock set up.

But like you said, you're not going to track the car so you really don't need to get crazy.

 

good advice all the way!
darryl

 

i would agree with lowball on the rear sway bar and throw in endlinks as well.

 

I had Kartboy endlinks with a Whiteline Silver RSB on my old '02 WRX Sedan, huge difference!

The KB links also help prevent the RSB from contacting an aftermarket muffler, by being shorter than most.

A front lower brace will help bigtime, as will Comfort ALK and the aforementioned Rack bushings.

 

thanks Gents,
any more mfg or vendor recommendations?
darryl

 

The stock struts suck.....AGX's with Prodrive springs would allow for near stock rideheight and a nice bit of adjustability with the turn of a screwdriver

DO the steering rack bushings and the comfort ALK and be :banana:

 

Where can i find some info on the steering rack that was mentioned? Not having much luck searching on the web. Drove a buddie's EVO8.. man that thing responds quick, mainly 'cause it was a little toed out from the factroy

Jason

 

Jason,

There are a few places that carry them. MPJ is one. You just have to look on different venders and see if they carry it. Look up in the review section and see if they have anything listed under suspension.

LB

www.subaruparts.com
www.mpjperformance.com

 

check outhttp://www.rev-lab.com or http://www.fourstarmotorsports.com both offer steering racks. rev-labs offers a 12.5:1 unit that is slightly quicker than the 13:1 ratio of the EVO8. I've erad that they also offer a 10:1 rack too. there is a core charge of $500.00, but I'm not sure if that's Canadian dollars or not. Get either rack, and rack bushings, and you may have something there!

Scotty, I can't do the struts just now. but thanks for the info
Darryl

 

darryl - Hey there are so many suspension parts out there that will help your car to have a better feel and handle 10 times better.

From Strut bars to Sway bars and everywhere in between.

I just opened a new thread in the Vendor section "Some NEW parts...and some OLD parts!!"

Check it out and see if there is anything in there that might help in your quest for better handling!

Let me know if I can help!

Thanks,
Brian

Flash N Dash Performance

 

I'll take a look-see. Git steering racks?
Darryl

 

another thing you could do is upgrade the bushings on your front bar, if you dont want to change it's size. they come from whiteline and cost 12$ canadian from PDM-racing.com. i dont have mine on yet, but in combination with some front endlinks it should compliment a rear enlink/swaybar combo nicely.

~SGD

 

In all likelyhood I would replace the front bar bushings too. I know doing so will improve the car's reflexes that much more.
My plan-A is to: replace both the front, and rear bars (rear still being larger); replace the attending bushings; replace the rear mounting points for the bar, replace rear (maybe front too) links AND replace the steering rack with a 12.5:1 unit, or quicker.
My plan-B is all of the above minus the replacement rack.
My plan-C is to try to take the wife the best two out of three in arm wrestling (again) if A and B fail!

Insofar as the rack goes, I think it will be more comfortable to drive my car more spiritedly in the twisty stuff without nearly crossing my arms in tight turns. Better they don't touch!
Darryl