Hi all.

I have been tossing around the idea of upgrading my shocks/springs, but I am kind of a total suspension noob. I was hoping that I could get some input from you guys on what type of items you would recommend. Since I am kind of new at this suspension stuff, I figure that your advice will hopefully help me make an informed decision down the line.

At the Davis meet on Wednesday, the guys were checking out my stock suspension and they pretty much said that it is pretty worn out or blown or something. I think they said that it was about time that I get them replaced or something. I currently have 113K on my Impreza L, and I figure that if I have to replace them in the future, I might as well upgraded them.

I was thinking about the KYB AGX GC. Price seems pretty nice. I don't know what springs I should get with them. Heck... I don't know if I should get these shocks or another set. Hopefully you guys can help me out.

TIA.

 

My friend had KYB AGX on his 1995 eclipse GSX. The adjustable valving is pretty nifty, although the lifespan is supposedly really short, like 10k miles for the GSX. Not so sure for the GC. I drove his car in the twisties up in Emerald Hills, let me tell you, until they blow, the AGX shocks are badass.

 

You should take my car for a spin, or better yet just take a ride with me down 9 or something (since I am used to the car). My car is set up just how I wanted it to be. The only thing better would be aluminum suspension pieces (less unsprung weight) and Konis or coilovers. My '01 RS has KYB AGXs, Prodrive P1 springs, '02 WRX rear sway, whitline endlinks f and r, and Whitline ALK which made a huge difference. This thing drives so nice now it's not funny (seriously no laughing matter). Good times. It's a little firm, but rides better than my friend's stock SRT-4 and handles waaaay better. Wicked grip. The only downside is the ALK makes bumps and road dots a little harsh, but to me it's worth it.

 

damn....... that IS a nice steup...

 

It really depends on what you want for your car. Something like Ground Control coil sleeves and Koni Yellow inserts, would give you great adjustability for a coilover kit that has any springrate you want for free, plus the lifetime warranty of Koni shocks. Though, this setup runs just under 1k, since it's piece parts you can swap out one by one. You don't need to buy the whole setup at once, like if you bought a coilover kit.

If you don't really need adjustability, I'd still stick with the Konis (just because of a lifetime warranty) but I have no idea how long you plan on keeping the car. And then getting some good quality springs.

 

Konis absolutely rule, but the main reason I didn't go with them is that I didn't want to hack up stock struts again.. Lame I know, but I also thought that since the AGXs were so cheap, I could always replace them where I would feel even dumber about replacing Konis. Once I have a car I know I am keeping forever (thought this was it but turns out it's not) it will get Konis for sure. I put them in my old Maxima w/ ST springs, addco RSB and a few other things ('93 SE w/ true IRS) and that car handled pretty awesome.

Down the road I would like to pick up a '95 or so L coupe again and it will have coilovers, aluminum everything just to get the unsprung weight down as low as possible.