Performance Suspension Upgrade on new WRX Wagon
 

I'm considering purchasing a WRX Wagon and am wondering if I should spring for the performance suspension kit. First, is the kit the best use of $1500 for a suspension upgrade. Secondly, if it is the right upgrade, should I do it at the time of purchase or is it cheaper to do after. The car will basically be used for a trip car and I may use it as a Driver's Education track car (my current DE car is a 99 M3). Finally, how are the stock brakes. Will they hold up to a 30 minute track sessions. Thanks for any input you can give me.

The Subaru suspension kit is excellent, a well sorted-out bit of kit that will do very well for you. If the dealer installs it, have them omit the rear suspension crossmember bushings. You'll be happy that they did.

With a fluid upgrade to something like SuperBlue, the brakes will do fine. You'll eat pads, but duh!

Kevin

What's the reason for omitting the rear suspension crossmember bushings?

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by noWRX [/i]
[B]What's the reason for omitting the rear suspension crossmember bushings? [/B][/QUOTE]

They add NVH.

Kevin

How come when I bought my WRX I didn't see any "suspension upgrade" packages?

What's NVH?

[size=1][i]Originally posted by gpatmac[/i]
[B][color=purple]What's NVH?
[/color][/B][/size]
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness, a standard industry term. Here's a site called [url=http://www.nvhmaterials.com/][color=red]NVHmaterials.com[/color][/url].

--
[color=red]^[/color][color=blue]ww[/color][color=red]^[/color]
"[color=blue]…axles of evil…[/color]" - George W. Bush

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Wingless Wonder [/i]

[b]Here's a site called [url=http://www.nvhmaterials.com/][color=red]NVHmaterials.com[/color][/url].
[/B][/QUOTE]

Holy smokes!

I'm all for scouring every bit of research material I can find, but I stop where my Masters' degree doesn't help. Oh, yeah. That's right, I don't have a Master's. :)

Re: Performance Suspension Upgrade on new WRX Wagon
 

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by noWRX [/i]
[B]I'm considering purchasing a WRX Wagon and am wondering if I should spring for the performance suspension kit. First, is the kit the best use of $1500 for a suspension upgrade. Secondly, if it is the right upgrade, should I do it at the time of purchase or is it cheaper to do after. The car will basically be used for a trip car and I may use it as a Driver's Education track car (my current DE car is a 99 M3). Finally, how are the stock brakes. Will they hold up to a 30 minute track sessions. Thanks for any input you can give me. [/B][/QUOTE]

I have a wrx sedan and I got the sports suspension from eBay for $700 flat and shipped.
Just for your info and my pride :)

I looked on ebay. No luck. What search did you use or where did you buy them from? How difficult was the install?

Two different dealers have told me that the Subaru suspension upgrade violates the warranty. Anybody else here of this, or should I even care?

I've just installed the STI suspension and 20mm rear sway bar on my '03 wagon and would heartily recommend it. The suspension feels more controlled now (increased damping) without being harsh. The last thing I wanted was to rattle my dentures. It didn't seem to affect the ride height any either.

By the way I've also got 17" wheels and 225 tires, which in itself was a huge improvement over stock. Now this things a killer.

Kinda confused...
 

Aren't we talking about the SPT(Subaru Performance Tuning) suspension kit(ie. the dealer upgrade option)? Or is it STI?

I've read from somewhere that the SPT kit is close/identical to the one used on STI Type-RA. But this is not equal to the STI kit, which I think should refer to those pink color parts.

unthanke, did you do the upgrade yourself or did you have the dealer do it? If you did it yourself, how difficult was it? I test drove a wagon last weekend and didn't like the transient response with the stock suspension. The car was much less composed on a particular corner than a VW GTI I drove through the same corner. I'm hoping the suspension upgrade and 17" tires would help this out dramatically.

I do mean SPT. I assumend SPT and STI were the same kit, but I guess not.

I had a local frame and suspension shop I like install the kit. I'm guessing it was about 3 or 4 hours worth of work. Even if you do it yourself, you'll have to take the car in for an alignment.

I think if you install better rubber, the STI suspension, and 20mm rear bar you'll be very happy. These changes made a world of difference in my car. However I guess you realize you're talking probably $3000 to do this.

I drove in the rain through about 15 miles of very winding canyon roads on the way to work a couple of days ago and I couldn't break the car loose; not to say that I'm a skilled driver, but the thing just sticks.