Im bored with my WRX, or rather the way it takes corners. I need to do something to help it out, so far ive ordered Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 in 225/45/16's to help out some. But the fact remains that i need some suspension work. Im a gear head but i don't know anything about suspension so im looking to you guys for some assistance on the issue. Ive got S-tech springs, thats it. Id like for my car to understeer a little less of course. Im going to start autoX since i recently joined the SCCA. What are the products i should look at getting for my car? I don't really mind a harsh ride since its pretty harsh already. I recently got owned by a WS6 t/a on a curvy road so at that point i knew its time to do something, i was pushing the car but with the blad stock tires, i was getting no where fast. Im not wanting to dump thousands of dollars into the suspension right now so no 1500 dollars coil over sets or anything like that. Ive heard about endlinks, but i dont know what they are or what they do. I am a total suspension newb so somoene please help me out, or link me to a resource that can help me to get better informed. Thanks. WRXEM
swaybars make a good bit of difference on our cars especially the rear considering some wrxs only have a 17 mm rear sway..upgrade to a 22-24mm and you will be able to get the rear to swing out a bit more..also do the endlinks at the same time.. with that said steering rack bushings make a good difference in taking out the slop in our steering rack and they are pretty inexpensive and can definately improve the way the car steers.
Looking at you sig number that should prove fun!!! Whenever i get this rx-7 done (if i ever do) we should go to a track and see what we could do. Im looking at 400+WHP, 2700lbs car, n/a. so no more turbo lag, just lots of traction problems lol. Weapon wrX Thanks for you input, do you have any idea where i could find info, and a place to purchase these products? Ive got to do something and fast before i get pissed and go trade the car in on a STi which would have this endresult: WRXEM=BROK3D for 60 months. lol
http://www.gruppe-s.com/ http://www.fastwrx.com/ http://www.oakos.com/ i have ordered things from all of these sites with awesome results! as far as info you can search on this site or www.nasioc.com and im sure you will be able to find something interesting
Sway bars will begin to make a difference. The S-Techs might actually be hurting you as they drop the car lower than the suspension geometry appreicates. 17" wheels might help with a little more grip in corners (though you will take a very slight hit in acceleration). Strut tower braces are more for show on our cars as they are already fairly rigid, if you had a convertible, it would be a different story. Other than that, stepping up to better struts, and ALK, aftermarket control arms, camber plates/bolts, will all make the car handle better. However, it is a 3000 lbs. car and that is going to make it handle differently that somthing smaller and lighter.... Oh, and don't forget a performance alignment. Def. among the best bang for the buck things you can do.... I did my suspension in this order so far and have been happy with the improvements at each step: Rear Sway....This didn't make a huge difference until I got the Kart boy end links and set the bar to full stiff. (End links attach the bar to the rest of the car. Aftermarket end links are beefier, usually metal, and won't brake under hard cornering). 17" wheels...more rubber on the road = better handling...period. Koni inserts (struts) and Stock STi springs....I am still feeling the Konis out and haven't had too much of a chance to play with them yet. They have def. increased the cars ability to remain neutral in corners though. I will have a full right up after this weekend.... Alignment....Just helps the car fell more "sorted." Additionally, helps to make sure the wheels go where your pointing the steering wheel. According to Siegel, if you drive hard, a more agressive alignment will actually help to save your tires a little. Front Sway...just got it on last night. Car feels quicker to turn in, again, will know more after this weekend (its the Subaru Challenge Auto-x). Hopes this helps!
they'll set your camber and toe and all that fun stuff to actually help you turn in better. from what these guys have written it makes a huge dif on track day. More expensive than your regular alignment but very precise. Someone else can get more in depth about it but thats the overall idea.
Yes more negative camber is awesome! My husband (brianGt) is running about negative 2.5 camber in the front (on his s2k). When he got the alignment change to that aggressive setting, the car handled like a dream; it was totally noticable. SOG or Gran Turismo will give you good alignment for whatever kind of driving you want to do. I'm a big fan of sway bars, i have had three different whiteline sway bars and have loved them all (i had a front and a rear in my WRX and now i have a front 25mm in my STi). They are a cheap mod, but i feel are the biggest bang for you buck. Alex started a thread about alignments here.
Awesome, i don't think anyone in AL does a performance alignment, ill have to get it done whem im over for dyno day
Gran Turismo isn't open during the weekend. It's open 8 to 5 monday thur wednesday, and friday and thursday they are up 8 to 7
Hmm, there may be once place that can do it here called speedsouth. Do i need to tell them how to set it, or do i just tell them to give me a performance alignment?
Usually when i go in Jeff, the guy at gran turismo, asks me what kind of driving I will be doing etc. I used to just tell him that was autoxing and that gave him a good idea. Now i just tell him "as much negative camber as posible" for my STi. I was running -1.5 camber in the front for my WRX, but you might want to research it before you get it done. Also you should sit in the car when your alignment is being performed, this way the alignment will be balanced for when you are sitting in the car.
i definitely understand your groaning urge to turn to the aftermarket. my only consejo is to appreciate what you have until then. some valuable lessons can be learned on oe tires and suspension. once you master them, you will be on the right path to being a more well-rounded driver, being able to get in any car and go fast in it. good luck finding the parts that speak to you though! i myself am looking for a more competent setup.