I just bought some 04 STi aluminum control arms for my wagon. First off, this car is for DD and AutoX. I love AutoX, but I'm not particularly competitive, so I don't care what class I end up in. I plan to set up my car to handle the way I like it and wherever that puts me in terms of classing is fine with me. I got the control arms so that I can run any sedan suspension that I want - aftermarket struts, STi takeoffs, coilovers etc... There are going to be several issues with using sedan arms on my wagon: 1. Tire clearance - I have heard that stock sized tires will not rub with "enough" negative camber. I don't have plates yet, but I will before I install the arms. My plan, right now, for larger AutoX tires is to run wider width, but maybe a smaller overall diameter to prevent rubbing - would this work, maybe? 2. Wider front track - I have also heard that it is not necessary to change to sedan axles. I already have sedan FSB and endlinks. 3. Rear track width with sedan struts / coilovers - Eventually I plan to get adjustable lateral links, but could I correct any problems with rear camber with camber bolts (that I already have)? 4. Assuming that I WILL be able to use ANY strut/coilover for the impreza sedan or wagon, what would be a good choice for my DD/AutoX car? I have been thinking about the D-Specs, because they are a complete strut replacement and I could use my pink springs or go stiffer with RCE springs later. But if I go with coilovers I will have many more springs choices down the road, in case I decide to go way stiff with spring rates. Any thoughts or suggestions?
-You should put koni's in your stock strut bodies. You gain camber with the control arms only if you stay wagon with the struts. Go to sedan struts and you lose that avantage. -Konis will also keep you from losing nagative camber ability in the rear. -You will gain positive caster with the usdm STi arms (a good thing) but you may want to consider an ALK since you are already doing the work to remove the arms. This will add more positive caster which helps you mantain negative camber on turns. About +6 degrees of caster is ideal. -Pair those Koni's with RCE wagon springs to avoid saggy butt and enjoy. If your heart is set on different springs (sedan specific) look at RCE lowering front cammber plate to keep you car looking nice. This setup will perform well at local autocrosses while being good on the road. You may be in SM because of the control arms though. I'm already there because of my 2.5L block swap so I also bought STi control arms for my wagon. They are the JDM STi though. They add camber without adding caster.:wtc: I found a good price and went for it.
I do plan on getting camber plates, so even with the control arms and (maybe) sedan struts, I should still get the camber that I need. I have thought about getting the ALK as well. Right now I am planning on installing as much of this stuff at one time as possible and just gathering parts over the next few months
The camber with the sedan arms and struts will be about the same as on, suprisingly, a sedan. My long term plan is to use the koni inserts in the wagon struts along with the STi control arms to gain the camber I want. When I eventually get camber plates I want to turn them to gain caster at a faster rate than camber (I can't remember off the top of my head if I need to flip them or just rotate them to gain caster faster than camber). With these parts and the ALK I want to be about -2.5 degrees camber and +5.5-6 degrees caster for a DD/mountain setup.
I really want to get the PDE plates, so I can adjust camber and caster separately. Also, with the control arms I'm getting, they should give me a few extra degrees of caster. With stock struts, I have -1.1 camber, so I should be able to get the camber I need with just plates. I'm looking to get at least -2.5 camber with 6 caster and whatever I need to balance out in the rear. Honestly, I think the koni's are a good choice, but I HATE having only ONE choice of upgrade. I'll keep the sedan arms in case I decide I need the adjustability of coilovers. BTW the spell check doesn't think that "adjustability" is a real word, but dictionary.com does...
Definitely use the control arms either way. I was just saying don't give away free camber by going to sedan struts when koni inserts are so good. If you need coilovers than it will be sedan specific and it won't matter.
OK, I got the control arms in today. I want to use Tokico D-Spec struts: I have heard that they are tough, they can handle moderate spring rates, and their adjustability is good. Anyone have these, or have had experience with them?
IMHO I'd forgo putting alot of your money into your DD and save up to buy an autox car like a crx, civic or miata. You will end up spending alot of money on your wagon with mixed results; if you get increasingly more into autoxing you will want a more competitive car that you don't have to depend on to get to work the next day. This is my opinon after autoxing for over four years at both the local and national level. IIRC the ALK will put in either SM or Prepared, i'd stick with doing the basic improvements to your geometry to get more camber and some konis. Save the rest for seat time.
Don't worry, I'll be saving up for a true sports car in the future. But that's several years down the road.
LOL I wouldn't say a Civic or CRX was a true sports car We bought brian's 89 Civic for $5k; it was already 80% of the way prepped. Aside from a new rear sway bar ($500) and an exhaust ($500) we haven't spent much money on the car at all. Marc proved the car was fine just the way it was when he won with at the Atlanta National Tour and Doublex Prosolo as well as 8th place out of 40 some people at Nationals. You don't have to spend alot or buy a "real" sports car.
This is true, but I think you underestimate how much FUN I had this season in my wagon! I don't think I ever got close to winning my class, but I had a blast. I guess I just want my car to be more "fun" and then several years down the road, I'll get a car that will satisfy my sports car needs: two-door, convertible, fun/easy to work on and good looking (no pontiac solstices or pre-99 miatas for me). I know looks don't make the car faster, but I can't see myself in a car that I don't like to look at. However, if I DO decide to be more competitive, I know where to look, thanks to you! I think there is even a CRX Si listed through solo-atlanta for around 1k. Sounds like a good deal, but its just not a car that I'm crazy about. It is good to know that there are vehicles that can be VERY competitive without dumping loads of cash into them. I really appreciate your advice, I just think I am going in a different direction right now. PS. I'm really looking forward to next season, I know you and team solo will have some great events for us!
group N strut tops. there are a few aftermarket camber plates that will work with TiC's deep nut or some retarded shit you have a wagon so you're pretty much screwed anyway