jebi se

In answer to the original question of which coilovers to go for, i would say none. On a car that will spend 99% of it's time on uk's potholed roads you have to be mad to put up with the ride quality or distinct lack thereof for the small benefit you'll receive on the very occasional track day. New shocks and a decent set of springs is where my money would go if on a tight budget and want to maintain any semblance of compliance on uk roads, then look at other options such as poly bushing, adjustable roll bars, top mounts, geometry and tyres which will give you different set up options when you go to the odd track day and enable you to make adjustments as and when required. Otherwise get your money out, do all of the above and more as well as getting yourself a set of ohlins. Good coilovers cost, even then most need a refirb after a couple of years, they also require to be set up properly by someone that really knows what they are doing.

Sti_tom

There is very little choice, if not none when it comes to shock absorbers on the widetrack sti, I think pedders are in the process of making some but for now we are left with used/reconditioned or coilovers. I guess most people won't pay the £350+vat per corner for shocks off subaru!

InTurbo

iTrader: (3)

What makes these any different to BC coilovers? Look the same to me apart from the colour.

InTurbo

iTrader: (3)

Got my Rb320 dampers for £327 including vat from Subaru with a 3 year 60k warranty.
A full set plus Springs will cost around the same as decent coilovers.

Sti_tom

Hi inturbo, is that £327 per corner?

Tom

InTurbo

iTrader: (3)

Yes per corner. That's for the rb320 Bilstein's got mine from Cotswold Subaru.

Linksfahrer

The last sentence above was the one I found the most reasonable.

I will agree that UK B roads , are not as good as the ones I have in the hills of South Germany (I'm spoilt ) but listen up if you want "compliant" suspension you should go buy a Renault 12. seats fold flat too , very compliant

Poly bushing by the way stiffens things up, and allows you to predict and aim better the car to the Apex. After that the quickest cheapest way to get an Impreza handling better means you have "to be able" to measure it geometrically. First fit some new tires, I suggest Nankang NSR 2's on 215 45 17 (keeps some compliance in the tire to road height and the unsprung weight down) drop it an inch and half by using shorter springs, dial in a bit of neg camber 1 - 2 deg is enough ( the std leg camber is adjustable with the standard offset bolts ) the lowering springs do not have to be "higher" rated and if your standard shocks are not knocking yet (count yourself lucky) then go find a B road that's been repaired within the last 5 years and you will have good fun for 10 mins for under a grand. To go longer than 10 mins go find yourself some larger brakes/discs sintered pads that still fit inside the 17s and you will be safe while doing so , but another grand down. that's life.

Linksfahrer

Id agree with that , my BC BR look identical only black and gold.

jebi se

Trying not to be too pedantic, but you make a statement like the one i have embolded, then go on to say just about everything i said in a slightly different manner.

On the bumpy off camber poor quality roads we have in the uk compliance is everything when pushing on, otherwise you just end up with a car that skips and twitches everywhere, which is not conducive to making rapid progress.

InTurbo

iTrader: (3)

Totally correct !
A car with a controlled compliant set up with good bump travel and droop will work with the road imperfections inspire you with confidence and be a lot quicker than a car with a stiff set up.

Crashing and bumping of every bump and undulation on a uk road isn't fun or going to give you the confidence to enjoy your car.

Been there done it!

MeisterR

There are difference here and there, but the main thing that set MeisterR apart from anything else will be the damper specification.
We engineer our own specs, and therefore how the suspension ride and perform will be different to anything else.

One of the most important aspect in how a suspension feel is the "cracking pressure".
That is the initial point where the first shims "cracks" open inside the damper.
By having a sensible cracking pressure while still producing the needed peak force, you can have a suspension that is both compliant as well as responsive on road tyre on the road.

On the flip side, you want to have a higher cracking pressure while on track.
As this higher cracking pressure put force onto the tyres making it generate more heat and traction; it also produce that "crisp" turn in that you want when on spirited / track driving condition.

You can engineer both of this by designing the shim stack and the damping adjustment to work together.
This is something MeisterR look into when designing our spec, and it is what makes us different from anyone.

Hope that helps answer your questions.
MeisterR may look the same outside to other brands, but the inside is different, the ride will be different, and the performance will be different.

Jerrick

jebi se

These are what you want, very cheap too.



https://www.scoobynet.com/car-parts-...te-114pcd.html

2pot

iTrader: (3)

Then sell the Tein springs that come with them, and get these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUBARU-IMP...YAAMXQ1ZhTe5qD

Just in case anyone is wondering - the rear springs, in the spring set listed above, only fit Bilsteins.

jonnyboy82

iTrader: (10)

Thx will take a look.

So whats wrong with the Tein springs that come with it?

jebi se

They've not had anywhere near the level of R&D that prodrive have put into theirs. I was going to mention swapping the springs, but i don't know which ones to swap them for, but 2pot being a bit of a suspension guru does.

Honestly mate you really need to snap these up before someone else does.

2pot

iTrader: (3)

And to complete the set-up - wide-tracks only:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUBARU-PRO...gAAOSw3xJVeBEZ


Some more rb320 springs and struts here:

https://www.scoobynet.com/full-cars-...good-spec.html

jonnyboy82

iTrader: (10)

Sent the seller a pm to see if he still has them and matty too!

What about the eibach springs then? Are the rb320 springs still better?

2pot

iTrader: (3)

The rb320 springs were designed to match the rb320 Bilstein struts - nothing to touch them, on undulating, uneven roads.
I'd hazard a guess that he got the eibach springs, because the rb320 springs sit, intentionally, high at the rear.

A, relatively, higher rear ride height, moves the roll centre rearward, increasing rear roll resistance.
That, in turn, makes the front end roll more - helping turn-in response and reducing understeer, without the use of stiffer bars.
You want the smallest bars possible, on a road car, to avoid 'roll-rock'.
Roll-rock:
If the spring rate is relatively low and the sta bar is too stiff, a suspension movement, initially, occurring on only one side of the vehicle, will be transmitted to the other side, inducing an unsettling 'roll-rock' motion.

RB320 - the rear height changes with fuel load, but you get the idea:




You really need to PM 'InTurbo'

And/or read this:

https://www.scoobynet.com/suspension...-uk-roads.html

jonnyboy82

iTrader: (10)

Ok, yes I see what you mean about sitting high. Would this really affect the average daily use on the road as I never track the car? Not got time with a baby!

2pot

iTrader: (3)

The forward rake, on the rb320, is a contributing factor in making so good.
Lowering, too far, on a road car is bad for handling and ride comfort.

S204Darren

Have you considered the S204 set up? You can import them as I consider my old S204 to be the best handling road car I have ever owned.

jonnyboy82

iTrader: (10)

What sort of costs involved in this?

jonnyboy82

iTrader: (10)

Just to update I went ahead with the rb320's from mattyb.

Is there a guide to replacing the suspension on here? Im pretty confident at doing it and tbh its looks really straight forward as the actual struts come off whole I presume?

A guide always helps though!

InTurbo

iTrader: (3)

The Rb320 has the damper rates based on the S204.

Page 3 of this article

http://pcadynamics.com/app/download/...he+Insider.pdf

InTurbo

iTrader: (3)

They come out whole, quite easy to replace them pop me a pm if you need any advice on fitting or geo settings.

InTurbo

iTrader: (3)

That picture was taken just after I installed the suspension. It's actually settled a few mill since then.

jonnyboy82

iTrader: (10)

Thanks mate yes may well just send you a pm if I get stuck!

I will take a before and after photo to compare.

Linksfahrer

Lovely Car .. but what a place to take photo !

I imagine it took a while to settle down after that Ruby Murray

jonnyboy82

iTrader: (10)

Quick update. Today I managed to get the fronts done and fit the rb320 bilsteins. Unfortunately I ran out of daylight so the rears will have to wait until next weekend.

Big thanks to inturbo for your help mate that guide was spot on!

InTurbo

iTrader: (3)

Lol not the most picturesque place for a photo. Not a bad curry house to be fair!

Not a problem hope the rear goes well.