I have an '02 WRX Wagon and have some money that I was thinking about throwing at the suspension. Here is what I am thinking about:

Prodrive Springs
Whiteline 22mm Front Sway Bar, wagon specific of course
Whiteline 22mm Adj. Rear Sway Bar
Whiteline Rear Strut Bar w/ Quick Release
Whiteline Anti-Lift Kit (comfort)
Whiteline Steering Bushings

The wagon is my daily driver and will be taken to track events on occasion, but not until next year. I don't know how many events I will be going to because by next year I should be in the D.C. area, and I don't know much about that area. I do enjoy spirited driving though, even here in the flatlands of West Texas.

So are all of these suspension mods overkill on a car that won't see much track action? Are there suspension items that I should remove or add fromt the list?

Other mods that I already have or are on the way:

Kartboy Front and Rear Endlinks
Invidia TBE
Helix Uppipe
18x7.5 5Zigen GN+ wheels (+48)
225/40/18 Yokohama AVS ES100 tires
STi Grill
STi TMIC

Thanks

 

Take it one step at a time. Suspensions are very tricky and if you go all out you might be dissapointed and wont know where you were helping and hurting. I started with Cobb swaybars front and rear and (1 month later) next im doing cobb springs. The sway bars made a nice difference and i'd say start with those. Rear strut brace will stiffen your chasis so i'd do that next. If you become serious in doing track racing new struts are a good idea. Im not sure if the prodrive springs will fit the stock struts so you might need new struts, i would do this after the sway bars and after a track day or two. Im not sure about the anti-lift kit or steering bushings.I spent alot of time in the D.C area and if your in the city its a lot of typical stop and go driving (not fun at all). If you move into the suburbs its relatively flat and boring but their are a few spots here and there that are a little fun. I think Ny is one of the best states for subies, goin up windy mountain roads in the snow Anyways sounds like a sweet build and have fun.

 

Well its mostly whiteline stuff though, so they're probably designed to work together, non?

 

The only suggestion that I would make is to go with 17's instead of the 18's. They would only be good for looks as 17's would probably handle better.

 

Yeah, I kind of figured that I would get better handling out of 17's, but I could not turn down the deal that I got on the GN+'s. Maybe by next spring I will have a set of track only 17's or maybe I won't like the 18's and I will just go with 17's as my primary set of wheels.

Thanks for the comments.

 

That doesn't look overkill at all... they look like solid, logical choices... (conservative spring and sway setup, ALK).

 

Thanks andyf. I've been doing my homework. I started leaning toward Swifts, but have come back to Prodrives. I will be ordering them tomorrow. Anyone know of a good vendor for a set?

 

You might try a search in our Vendor forum. Sometimes those guys run a special deal on specific items.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

You might want to look for the Whiteline Ground Control springs; why not stay all Whiteline? I found them for $285 a set, cheaper than the Prodrives and I like them a lot better. However, don't expect to see a big drop -- they are genuinely for handling, not for lowering the car.

 

I went ahead and ordered the Prodrive springs and get them in on thurs. I got them from WorldOne for $269 shipped. Not too bad of a deal.

 

I would recommend learning to drive the car bone stock, and then deciding what you need after a few track days. You can't tune a suspension until you know whats wrong with it.

 

I run the 22mm FSB on my wagon. I'll tell you, you're gonna want the the larger RSB 24-26mm for the rear. Set at the 24mm setting the car is pretty neutral with minimum body roll. 25mm you get just a hint of oversteer that is more than controllable. That's what you want.

 

Looks like a great set up to me.
I would go with 17" wheels because they will probably handle better.

 

ipozestu - Thanks for the heads up on the rear sway bar.

I will be getting a set of 17's and some good track tires for next season, but my street wheels will remain to be the 18's because they look so good.

 

i run the prodrive wagon springs, white line adjustable rear sway bar (22 mm), with 18's and the 225/40/18 BFG KWD tires. I don't autocross or race but drive canyons at a blurring speed and it will handle waht ever i can throw at it. I used to have a GC8 with the P1 set up and 17's, I would say that it is very comperable. With either set up ive 80-100mph turn in speed with a great deal of control.....so don't over do it and learn where your cars limits are......