New to the site...Wanting to enhance driving performance.
12-05-2003, 11:02 AM
#1
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New to the site...Wanting to enhance driving performance.
Hello all, I am new to the site and am a new WRX wagon owner. I have had it for about 10 days and already put 2000 miles on it. I was wondering what you all thought would be the best step in terms of me wanting to get the WRX to perform better. When I say perform better, I mean quicker response in terms of steering and direction. I thought about putting the sway bar from the sedan on the wagon but didn't know how much that would change it. Any thoughts, suggestions? I would love to hear them as I am new to the site and WRX's.
Thanks.
Thanks.
12-05-2003, 11:28 AM
#2
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Step 1: get a real alignment performed on the car. Alignment settings can make a huge difference in how the car reacts, and can make it a lot more fun to drive. You may end up wanting to put things like camber/caster plates or adjustable rear lateral links on the car to achieve your desired alignment settings as well.
Step 2: Upgrade the tires.
Step 2: Upgrade the tires.
12-05-2003, 12:46 PM
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Yeah, I am definately planning on upgrading tires soon. I am probably going to buy some 17in. wheels and get some good tires to go with them, and keep the stock wheels for winter use.
Do you think the sway bar from the sedan would help much in the performance? I am already scheduled to have the wheels aligned next week...so hopefully that should be taken care of.
Do you think the sway bar from the sedan would help much in the performance? I am already scheduled to have the wheels aligned next week...so hopefully that should be taken care of.
12-07-2003, 02:23 AM
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Re: New to the site...Wanting to enhance driving performance.
Originally posted by tdepp388
Hello all, I am new to the site and am a new WRX wagon owner. I have had it for about 10 days and already put 2000 miles on it. I was wondering what you all thought would be the best step in terms of me wanting to get the WRX to perform better. When I say perform better, I mean quicker response in terms of steering and direction. I thought about putting the sway bar from the sedan on the wagon but didn't know how much that would change it. Any thoughts, suggestions? I would love to hear them as I am new to the site and WRX's.
Thanks.
Hello all, I am new to the site and am a new WRX wagon owner. I have had it for about 10 days and already put 2000 miles on it. I was wondering what you all thought would be the best step in terms of me wanting to get the WRX to perform better. When I say perform better, I mean quicker response in terms of steering and direction. I thought about putting the sway bar from the sedan on the wagon but didn't know how much that would change it. Any thoughts, suggestions? I would love to hear them as I am new to the site and WRX's.
Thanks.
Also, stiffer sidewall tires make a HUGE difference. I can't recommend Bridgestone Potenza S03s highly enough, thay are on my car right now and I will never run a lesser tire again.
12-08-2003, 10:31 PM
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i highly suggest a rear sway bar as the first mod you perform. it will take a lot of roll out of the car without sacrificing any ride quality and it truly makes the front end bite when cornering. if you go with an adjustable aftermarket one you can even dial in oversteer if it suits your driving style. it is by far one of the most effective mods ive witnessed, and it truly has no downside. if you go with an after market one i would suggest the perrin bar, i love mine.
12-08-2003, 10:47 PM
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I love my big sway bar, it has a nice effect, but it doesn't do anything for turn-in or response. It's definitely a nice addition to almost any Subaru, but for different effects than what I thought tdepp is looking for.
12-09-2003, 05:41 AM
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I am basically just looking to start modifying the WRX. As I said in the initial post of this thread, I am looking for quicker turn in and direction change, but at the same time, I am looking to make the WRX sit "flatter" in the turns. (Assuming that is more of what the rear sway bar does, is that correct?)
12-09-2003, 02:16 PM
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Yeah, the rear sway bar is a great mod. You will definitely notice the difference going form the stock 17mm to a 20 or 22mm. I was thinking about this some more though, and tires are definitely the very first thing you want to do. Shorter, stiffer sidewalls have all of the benefits of the mods we have mentioned so far, especially when it comes to outright grip and steering response.
12-11-2003, 06:32 AM
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The biggest change in steering response I got was when I put on my whiteline Front Swaybar and endlinks. (only wagon owners are supposed to do the endlinks on the front. Wagons rule!) The change was immediate. The thicker swaybar with the endlinks forced the car to turn in faster (due to the lack of springiness in the bar and endlinks) and also made it feel flatter. A lot of people may recommend Cusco/Helix/Others, but whiteline is GOOD stuff for the money. Except the old-style rear endlinks. Those broke under load.
Rock on fellow wagon owner!
:edit: Beware the understeer gods, though. This car pushes already, and these mods only exacerbates the situation.
Rock on fellow wagon owner!
:edit: Beware the understeer gods, though. This car pushes already, and these mods only exacerbates the situation.
12-11-2003, 09:05 PM
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Bansuvs
i hear good things about the potenza s03's and i hope to get some in the future, but how is the tread life on it? normal or a lot shorter than other tires?
i hear good things about the potenza s03's and i hope to get some in the future, but how is the tread life on it? normal or a lot shorter than other tires?
12-11-2003, 10:10 PM
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Shorter than most, but will probably last you about as long as your RE92s did, maybe longer RE92s are rated at 160, S03s at 220. But, you will do more hard driving on the S03s once you find out how good they really are. Most people find they last about a year or so. So buy them in the spring. 
12-16-2003, 09:31 PM
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obviously the best and most cost efficient modification in terms of enabling your vehicle to stabilize the structural profficiency of weight balance continuity through rigorous turns would be moddifying the electrical headlight composition, which most have come to identify as, "fast blinkers". By enabling the turning signals to signal at a faster pace, other's observing your turns and you as well, will come to see a magnificent increase of turn-in capabilities.
12-18-2003, 12:04 AM
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Originally posted by namakemono
Bansuvs
i hear good things about the potenza s03's and i hope to get some in the future, but how is the tread life on it? normal or a lot shorter than other tires?
Bansuvs
i hear good things about the potenza s03's and i hope to get some in the future, but how is the tread life on it? normal or a lot shorter than other tires?
i am on my second set. LOVE these tires
12-18-2003, 01:16 AM
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depends on your driving style. These tires can last awhile if u take it easy. however, this is not the case. S03s are meant to be drive hard with! if u want something that can last awhile, get some RE730s or RE750s w/ another set of rims.
if u want something that can last awhile, get some RE730s or RE750s w/ another set of rims.
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