NXG

John,

Thanks for that. I think I'll book that lot minus the ALK as I don't like the diving being reported under heavy braking. Have you experienced any of that?

Steve.

PJA

More info relating to the ALK please

PJA

DBY

Second review after blast across the wilds of Dorset as said by previous posts the springs are a rearly good compromise still retaining good ride quality but at the same time getting rid of all that high speed wobble that standard WRX can suffer from.
My route takes me across two small hump back brides that I normally take at 50 mph this time I went back and took them at 70mph and the car remained very stable with no bounce, much better and more fun which is what it's all about.

Right then the ALK whats it about bearing mind I am no techi I was in two minds about having this done but what swayed me was the fact that if you have it done at a later date you need to have full geo done again at more cost. What it basically does is increase the front caster angle to eradicate the dreaded understeer that the standard car suffers from , apparantly this kit gives the same caster angle adjustment that the spec C has from the factory ie STI . The upshot of all this is that the car does feel much more pointy when turning into bends and gives positive feed back on what the front wheels are doing , makes those tight roundabouts great fun to attack. I have not experienced any more tramlining than normal under braking though the car is fitted with PFF7 18 and 225/40 tyres so grip has never been a problem. In general if you change the rear of the car with ARB and drop links I think that it is best to balnce the car by having the front done to , so you pays your money and makes your choice.
Jim the guys at Powerstation did not use the Prodrive settings supplied they have their own ! which to be fair are not that far off , but believe me I have no UNDERSTEER any more .

Sorry for long ramble

Regards

John

PJA

DBY

Any more noise / vibration with the ALK ??

Is the steering heavier ??

PJA

[Edited by PJA - 12/10/2003 12:38:19 PM]

DBY

PJA no noise or vibration issues so far the steering is heavier than before but it has been anyway since i fitted a Godspeed 335 kit to the front back in june this year. After this kit was fitted very occasionally the front suspension would bottom out on the bump stops because of the increase in un-sprung weight with the new springs hopefully this will cease.
The feel has now changed again with the ALK fitted the steering is slightly heavier but not by much and just feels so much more precise especially in the strait ahead position that vague woolly feeling has gone hope this helps.

Regards

John

Jerry B

Thanks for the updates.
Must admit over the last few weeks I've got used to the differences between the old '98 and the '03, and I can see why they've done it and come to appreciate some of the changes, however the general 'under-steery' feel still annoys me, so I think I'll get the Prodrive springs. I spoke to Powerstation a couple of weeks back and they mentioned Anti-lift kit and a load of other things which I can't remember, so I'm interested to know what others find if they change just the springs, or the ALK as well, or all the other bits mentioned above,
Thanks again, keep the feedback going.
Jerry.

Jerry B

Ordered mine anyway. Going to have to decide if I'll have anything else done.



[Edited by Jerry B - 12/12/2003 4:18:56 PM]

JIM THEO

From my experience rear anti roll bar gives the most difference while ALK is hard to understand how and when (if?) it works.
I did each modification separately, first rear ARB 22mm adj.= huge difference, more camber front + toe out rear again some remarkable difference and wonder as I am going to buy Prodrive springs if they work in combination with the uprated rear ARB, supposed they are designed with factory bars and Prodrive settings...
I don't think ALK worth the money but this is my personal opinion, 4-5 psi higher pressures front (than rear) gave me more than the ALK and no it doesn't reduce understeer when you first go in to the corner, I'd say it make things worse, it only helps after the apex where full throttle is applied but the overall gains are minimum.
Of course I say it again this is my experience others may not agree...
JIM

GTMR

Really useful posts. I have a large box sitting under the Christmas tree (my wife thinks this is hysterical), and will be visiting Powerstation early in the new year. Looks like it will be the springs plus the rear ARB and geometry for me.

DBY

GTMR happy new year I think it's great idea present under the tree!!

Regards

John

tjp171

Had my springs fitted yesterday.

Geometry set up is being done on Monday.

Have been working and am over weekend so no proper chance to evaluate.

Noticeable already is how much firmer the ride is and more how i would expect the car to be. Thought it a bit soft for a performance car after my Civic Type-R.

Just need some 18"s now.

JIM THEO

For those that think of bigger/different wheels with Prodrive springs and ARB front or rear pay attention as shocks work much harder now due to increased load so wheel weight is critical especially as most of the aftermarket wheels even 17" are heavier from the 17,5lbs of the factory ones!
I go also for 18" SuperL" when they'll be available but they are only 18,3lb and with Pilot Sports 225/40/18(lighter from factory RE050) they are finally the same weight.
Damian Hurty in the related topic mentioned about how important this weight is!
JIM

DBY

Well it's been a week since the springs were fitted so I will keep you informed of my findings.

The ride is a little firmer around town running over pot holes , man hole covers ect but it's never jarrring and hardly any noise makes it through to the cabin and I run 18's PFF7 with 225/40 tyres.

The handling with the new spring kit is greatly improved as said before you rearly notice it when pressing on with much better body control, it dosn't want to keep falling over it'self all the time
feels safer and is much more fun.

So to summerise well worth the money and pound for pound the best mod you can make to the car and that includes the PPP.

Regards

John


WRX03,PPP,Quickshift,18 inch PFF7,Prodrive spring kit,Godspeed brake kit,Prorive gear surround and gear ****,Alpine ice,color coded sills and grills soon time to part ex!!

Jerry B

Thanks DBY.
NXG have you just had the springs and nothing else? how does it feel a week 'down the road'?
Mine have turned up at the dealers but I don't reckon I'll get them fitted til mid-jan.

JIM THEO

Thanks guys keep us informed!
JIM

NXG

OK, a couple of weeks down the road and here's my update.

The springs don't feel any softer and I'm having a lot more fun now I'm used to the new feel on the twisty stuff. There is definitely a huge improvement in how the car can get the power down on corners. It's more sure-footed and launches and brakes more efficiently.

Can’t wait to see what the ARB, drop links and front strut brace can add to this already impressive package.

Jerry B

Thanks.
Picked mine up yesterday, think I'll just change them alone for starters and see how I like it. Did you use the Prodrive camber recommendations?
Jerry.

PJA

Can someone confirm the part No for MY03 WRX Prodrive springs.

Many thanks

PJA

Jerry B

SACC 2566

PJA

Thanks Jerry B

PJA

NXG

Jerry,

Exactly as described on the sheet enclosed with the springs.

Steve

PJA

Springs ordered today, should be here by the new year !!!

Probably be using TSL or Powerstation to fit and align.

Just need to decide whether to fit ALK or not.

Any comments / advice

PJA

GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

Hi! Ive just joined Scoobynet, and it's good to read all your feedback on the new Prodrive springs, I had mine fitted yesterday by Cheam Motors, including a geometry set up. Unfortunately, I cannot drive the car for 6 weeks as I have broken ribs, so it was good to read what you guys wrote about how good these springs are! I also have the PPP pack and quickshift which im very happy with, and have just purchased a nice Prodrive windscreen sticker from E Bay America. I'll have to get a speaker upgrade very soon though!

Bullring

NXG & tjp171 & anyone else in Northants

Did anyone have the springs installed at Westway? And if do how much did they charge?

Thanks in advance.

Merry Christmas Everyone

NXG

Hi,

I got a quote from Westaway, £150 plus vat I think, and I'm sure they would have done a great job, but in the end had them fitted by Tyres Northampton who did it for £100 all in including an alignment check. They quoted 3 hours but had it done in 1hr30mins. 'Elvis' is the guy for the job, no kidding.

Steve.

Bullring

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the info.

Just to clarify. Fitting £150/100 +VAT. Springs £200?

Cheers,

Rich

NXG

Bullring,

If you're an SIDC member you get 10% off the pre-vat cost of the springs. The £100 fitment from Tyres Northampton includes vat and alignment check. The £150 from Westaway is PLUS VAT.

PJA

Collected springs today from Holdcrofts - Newcastle.

The question now is TSL or Powerstation ????????

PJA

steveho

Anyone else with feedback,because these are on my shopping list

Beefy

Yeah these are worth getting, they improve the handling of the car quite noticeably. The car feels more planted on the road (yes even more) and the steering feels more direct. The overall effect looks-wise is not that significant, the car looks flatter rather than higher at the back the way the standard car looks.

Overall a good mod for the money although the ride is quite a bit firmer so if you bought the WRX rather than the STI to avoid a firmer ride then this may not be for you.