I'm extremely confused right now on what I should get for my 2004 wagon in terms of a strut/spring or coilover setup. I'm looking for a slightly lowered stance (.5 inch or less around) and something thats geared more for a daily driver that will see mainly aggressive mountain road driving and infrequent auto-x/track use. Currently I have no upgrades, but I'm planning on getting 17s w/ bridgstone S-03s and upgrading to either a 20mm sedan RSB or 21mm STI RSB.

Here are my choices
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new "pink" STI wagon springs on stock struts ($230)
-pros - cheap!
-cons- struts may fail prematurely

new "pink" STI wagon springs on KYB struts ($730-800)
-pros - still affordable, kybs are great struts
-cons - no "wagon" kybs, must use GC8 front struts to match

v8 JDM STI takeoffs + front camber plates ($750)
-pros - will handle like it's on "rails" - still inexpensive
-cons - designed for sedans, will need camber plates in the front (which offsets any drop)

tein wagon coilovers (used) + rear STI tophats ($800)
-pros - designed for wagons! Great "streetability"
-cons -designed for 02/03 wagons... need to replace rear tophats. Not so good for auto-x/track use.

v7 STI wagon struts/springs + rear STI tophats ($1500)
-pros - STI suspension designed specifically for wagsons
-cons - really expensive... designed for 02/03s and will need rear tophats

I'd really like to get the v7 STI wagon struts/springs but I think it may be out of my budget (unless I can find used). I think I'm leaning towards the v8 takeoffs + camber plates.

Help me out... I'm confused!

 

i just got the v7 sti takeoffs onto my sedan, and a friend of mine with a wagon put on the v8 takeoffs with PDE camber plates, and it doesnt feel half as good as my setup for some reason. i drove his wagon last night and im still consfused as to why it felt so different than my car, he also put an anti lift kit on it, so that might have something to do with it. it almost felt like it was going to fall apart, i heard "clanking" noises, and the car wasnt handeling rough roads at all(would almost jerk over if i hit a pothole). ill try and figure out more info on this for you, it may just be his car, and you might not have these problems. good luck

 

thanks kimbo -- I guess I may skip the v8 setup

Just curious -- did the v8s + camber plates still lower the front any?

 

i dont think it did, you can always get the STi pinks with STi struts, im putting those on my car since i wasnt too impressed with the drop, this is where i got my setup, they should have some more suspension coming in soon, he might be able to sell you just STi struts, i have seen him sell the STi struts with STi pinks as well.

www.jdmpartstx.com

 

thanks for the link... I'll send the guy an email

 

Yeah you definatly want v7 struts with v7 springs or pinks. It is well matched and not too rough. Find them used and you'll have the best suspension for the money with the compromise of daily driving. Unless your used to coils or rough suspensions, this is the only way to go with maximum performance. If you want better lowering latter, use a different spring. I hear tanabe gf210 works well. The struts are inverted and well dampened so their is no beating them for your needs.

 

this post pertains to me as well.

you didn't wanna try doing a full coil-over kit like TEIN SS or FLEX? it's expensive but not that much more than your last option.

NOOB question but does a rear sway bar increase or decrease oversteer? increase right?

 

a bigger rear swaybar will decrease understeer. with the stock setup all you have is understeer.

 

i was considering coilovers as well (Teins SS) but I think they'll be a little too harsh for me as I mainly use my car for a daily 70 mile commute. I'm getting old and need something to soak up the bumps a little more

a larger RSB will increase oversteer. For a wagon we have 20mm in the front (i think sedans too) and 17mm in the rear. Bumping the rear up to 20mm will make the car more 'neutral'. 21mm (like the new STI pink RSB) will have mild oversteer. Take it easy after you install it... don't lift your foot off the throttle when cornering... you'll end up with with your tail end in the guard rail

 

eekk sounds like i need an STI pink Rear Sway. More "neutral" lol. any advantange in getting a front sway? my wagon understeers like poop. i hate it. and it rolls a lot.

hey, anyone know the drop you'll get from STi wagons on stock struts? I might just opt for those because the dealer won't be as mad about em.

 

Hey, the tein coils are going to be some of the more comfortable coils, but I think the sti suspension is going to be a little more comfortable. I was talking to the local shop here rallitek, and they said what you need to think about is that the sti v7 is a factory setup. It's gonna be more comfortable than any coil. Now it's not going to be as comfy as the wrx, it's still gonna be a little rough. Much more livable than coils if your not used to them. Benifit is their going to handle really well. Out handle a prodrive sping, kyb agx strut combo. The rallitek guys said that and said it will hang with coilovers if the rest of your suspension is a good system. Utimately their is no substitution for race coils and Sti now makes adjustable v7 struts that are pretty expencive.

 

Also if your really worried, start with other parts of the suspension. Sway bars will stiffen you up because they will be stronger from wheel to wheel. Try an anti lift kit that will stiffen the bushings, and mess with camber, caster. New rims and tires in a plus size will make the ride slightly bumpy and that is where your should always start. Get strut tower braces, wagon or sedan will determan which ones you might need. Keep tweekin till you find happiness and you'll be able to learn your car each time to be a better driver.

 

thanks trunkmonkey -- yeah I REALLY want the v7 suspension but it may be out of my budget. Same goes for any coilover setup (except for Tein wagons or basics). Hopefully I can find the v7 wagons used somewhere *crossing fingers*

I'm definately getting other bits as well -- first are wheels and tires and a rear sway bar. I don't want to mess with camber/caster yet until I lower the car as I don't want to do it twice

 

hmm.. i was just checking out the bay area regional forums. guy here has a tein wagon coil set that he's letting go for 600 bucks.
https://www.i-club.com/forums/norcal-classifieds-96/edit-sold-wagonrx-part-out-69060/

even though they aren't 16 way adjustable, it seems to me that the tein wagons are a really good deal. they are imazingly cheap. with some sway and stuff, car should handle pretty well.

 

not trying to hijack the post.. but how do tein wagons ride?