SPT, SOA, STI Suspension Kit Questions

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01-30-2003, 07:44 AM

Playa178

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SPT, SOA, STI Suspension Kit Questions

I am new here and will be getting a WRX in about 2 months...

I have read numerous threads about the suspension kit sold through Subaru dealers and I think that SPT, SOA, and STI are the different reference names for this kit.

Anyone here have the setup (the $1700 one from Subaru)...how much does it lower the car?...I am not too concerned with harsher ride a bit because I drive a lowered Jetta now on 17" tires (Eibach pro kit springs/shocks)

How much does it improve handling with the stock 16" tires...I wont be upgrading to 17s until I can afford the BBS wheel pkg.

01-30-2003, 09:47 AM

lndbrusr

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Car Info: 05 Audi S4... trying to mod the driver!!!

Check out the project wrx article in the latest sport compact car... they evaluate the setup in question.

Some might say for the same amount of money to get coilovers (I am partial to Tein).

After reading the scc article, I am leaning more towards tein flex.

lndbrusr

01-30-2003, 09:50 AM

lndbrusr

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Car Info: 05 Audi S4... trying to mod the driver!!!

also.. I would switch to 17s first... and why the bbs package? I will understand if you tell me that you love the design of the bbs wheels but that is an aweful lot of $$.. Many of us run Rota wheels (many different designs) because they are light, strong and relatively cheap.

01-31-2003, 05:55 AM

savka

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If you can still order your car with the SPT/STi suspention upgrade then DO IT NOW. The kit is not only springs/struts its a hole skew of hardened bushings all throughout the frame and suspention components. Puting in the bushings after you get the car will be in the $800 dollar range just for labor. If you get it done before the car is delivered, its all in there. If I was getting the rex now there is no question I would have ordered it with the pakage installed.

Go to www.nasioc.com and search on gtguy, he has extensive write-ups on the SPT/STi suspention components.

good luck, and congratulations

sav

PS. change the tires!

01-31-2003, 06:42 AM

Playa178

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Quote:

Originally posted by lndbrusr
Check out the project wrx article in the latest sport compact car... they evaluate the setup in question.

Some might say for the same amount of money to get coilovers (I am partial to Tein).

After reading the scc article, I am leaning more towards tein flex.

lndbrusr

Thanks for the responses...

I am very partial to BBS wheels and have no problem forking over the cash for them...I have run BBS wheels on every car I have owned and find them to be the best quality for the money.

Anytime I have run aftermarket wheels other than BBS I have had vibrations and shakes in the steering wheel due to balancing issues.

I will probably not go with coilovers because of ride quality issues...I am not too concerned with the adjustability of lowering.

I will see if the dealer can include this on the car before I pick it up at a discounted price...if so it will probably just be ordered with it.

01-31-2003, 09:25 AM

Rapid_Roo

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Location: www.ITNRally.org

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Car Info: 03 WRX | 95 GC

I choose the SPT/STi Kit

I got it on my 03 WRX. It didn't lower the car at all, although the ride is pretty stiff. Its not harsh by anymeans, but you will notice the difference even with the stock 16's on the car (which I still have). It still understeers when entering a corner, but you have to be going way too hot for that to happen. Its easy to correct for with a slight twitch of the wheel to get the back end to come around. It also still oversteers on exit with power coming down. But at that point it feels more like four wheel drift than anything else. I think the biggest thing anyone would notice is that it is hard on compression and very quick on rebound. Side to side transition is much better of stock, and the as a whole the car no longer leans as much. It used to feel like dancing with a full bucket of water, now it bucket is almost empty. I think with better tire with lower/stiffer sidewalls this would change. I have yet to take it to an Auto-X so I am reserving a final review until then. I plan on an upgrade to SSR in 18's, and an adjustable rear swaybar, and possibly better sway bar endlinks.

That said, I have been looking at different spring packages. To me it feels as if the springs aren't progressively wound. I am looking for a shorter more progressive spring. Along with better road compliance, that should reduce the wheel/fender gap to something more acceptable.

just my $0.02, have a G'day.

PS: the one major factor why I chose this set up was that I was able to have it installed by the dealer and have it specifically inculded in my 7y/100k mi warranty.

Last edited by Rapid_Roo; 01-31-2003 at 09:27 AM.

02-01-2003, 08:41 AM

ImprezaRSDriver

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Car Info: 13BRZ, 11FXT, 08T25, 07STI, 02WRX

I have the kit also. And I must say that it is probably one of the best kits you can get. It works really well and it make the handling of the car much much more neutral. You will not notice a ride height difference. I suggest that you get STI hardened top mounts too. Do a search and you will find more information about the setup.

02-20-2003, 09:07 AM

gtguy

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I would get the SPT suspension kit, minus the problem-causing rear suspension crossmember bushings. That's why the SCC car's ride sucks. Hard rubber bushings are replaced with metal bushings. You get more stability, but zero compliance. A street car needs compliance, IMHO.

Kevin