I just installed a set of H&R sport springs on my '02 WRX this weekend. I am not really sure what to think of them so far. I have noticed an increased rigidity in my ride (as I was expecting) and handling has improved as well. The springs haven't fully settled in yet, I don't think (just finished putting them in yesterday.) I'm going to go in a day or two to get an alignment. Anyways, the part I am not so sure about is the look of them. I think my car looks a little goofy. I like the amount it lowered in the rear... eliminated the gap well, without tucking the wheel in. The front I don't think I like. There is still a considerable amount of wheel gap, and it makes me look like I have pounds and pounds of junk in my trunk. I just ran out and took some quick pictures of the car. It's dirty cause I had a little fun in a gravel lot I was in yesterday Anyways, do you think the front will settle in more? I was/am looking for a more even drop front and rear. The front springs were actually taller than the stock springs in front before installing... not sure if this is normal. (even though they have lowered it a tad) I don't know... just let me know what you think, and if you have any advice. Thanks!









NOTE: This is a comparison of stock vs. H&R...

 

At the stock ride height for the WRX the front and rear fender gaps are different...the front is about an inch higher than the rear. Considering that the h&r springs lower the front 1.5" and the rear 1.4" the fender gap is going to remain uneven like the stock setup. I had the h&r's but ended up selling them for that reason. Most other aftermarket springs will lower the front more than the rear. The prodrive springs I now have lower the rear .75" and the front 1.5" to even out the fender gaps.

Appearance aside, I think the h&r's would handle nicely with a good set of struts like kybs or konis.

 

Hm yeah, I guess that makes sense. I don't know why I didn't think of this before (*dope slaps self*) The other set I was thinking of was a set of Perrin springs... 1.5" in rear, 1.8" in front. The rear would sit about the same as now, but the front gap would be a bit lower. How is the ride on the Prodrive springs? I want a good drop (just really trying to kill the 4x4 wheel gap) without sacrificing my struts too badly for the time being. I do plan on upgrading to a full coilover setup but that is out my wallet's range for a while so springs will do for now. I might take these off soon (so they have low mileage on them) and opt for a set of Perrins..... I'm going to try and find some reviews, etc. now.

 

Most people will tell you that any drop lower than 1.5" will not only kill your stock struts, but it may actually make your car handle worse. The perrins are very similar to the h&r's, but they are even worse on stock struts.

I am running the prodrives on kyb agx struts and I love it. The ride height is perfect for daily driving and I can adjust the ride from soft to hard depending on what I will be doing.

The majority of people here are running either eibachs or prodrives, but some other good choices are the STi "pinks" or the espilars(sp?).

 

I will have to check into those options. Maybe I'll just sacrifice some of the drop springs will give me until I get a full coilover setup. Hmm... I've got some time to think this through. I could get Prodrives for the time being, until as I said earlier.. go the full coilover route.