[DrPhyzx]

Didn't ever see this posted. Clearly someone has figured out how to solve steering feel / handling issues, at least on the JDM model:

"But the most surprising thing about the HKS-tuned STI is the way it turns. Where the stock U.S.-spec WRX STI exhibits a fair amount of understeer, the HKS version stays glued to the pavement, displaying super-crisp turn-in and near-neutral balance. The steering feels sharp and reactive, allowing the ominous-looking Subaru to carve up the small course like a hyper-active go kart."

That's how I want my car to drive.

ROADandTRACK.com -- Road Tests, Comparison Tests - Cusco Lancer Evolution vs HKS Impreza WRX STI (7/2008)

[importfanatic17]

I saw that yesterday. Go '08

[supermarkus]

I would love for my car to drive like that too, but only on the track. I'll take compliance and suspension travel for daily driving. Having seen older Hypermax equipped STIs and riding in ones similarly equipped with JDM super stiff, smooth pavement valved suspensions, I can say without any uncertainty that my back would not tolerate it for very long at all. Interesting article though.

[GilMikalian]

I just wonder what they had to sacrifice (if anything) in real world usability, i.e. travel, compliance. Mine is not a track tool but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to clean up some of the slop in terms of understeer & roll.

supermarkus: Looks like we were on the same page at the same time!

[EpicWagon]

Can't wait for HKS parts ^_-

oh and a car of course =X

[ballinSTI]

very nice find

[supermarkus]

Originally Posted by GilMikalian

I just wonder what they had to sacrifice (if anything) in real world usability, i.e. travel, compliance. Mine is not a track tool but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to clean up some of the slop in terms of understeer & roll.

supermarkus: Looks like we were on the same page at the same time!

Gil, I guarantee if you aren't one of those young bucks out there that dont mind turning their cars into a tuning fork, the Hypermax coilovers will be wrong for your car. The ones I saw in Kobe Super Autobacs came with spring rates through the roof. I'd be pissing blood in under a week on these crap roads we have in Seattle and forget about winter driving.

[STIVendetta]

Cool find!

[DrPhyzx]

Originally Posted by supermarkus

Gil, I guarantee if you aren't one of those young bucks out there that dont mind turning their cars into a tuning fork, the Hypermax coilovers will be wrong for your car. The ones I saw in Kobe Super Autobacs came with spring rates through the roof. I'd be pissing blood in under a week on these crap roads we have in Seattle and forget about winter driving.

Yeah... from what I can find it seems the Hipermax Sport rates for older STI are 10K/7K: pretty stiff but maybe only 50% stiffer than one might want on the street, no?

[GilMikalian]

Good! One less thing I "need." Thanks for the 411.

[supermarkus]

Originally Posted by DrPhyzx

Yeah... from what I can find it seems the Hipermax Sport rates for older STI are 10K/7K: pretty stiff but maybe only 50% stiffer than one might want on the street, no?

Heh, more like 100% stiffer than I would have liked on the old car. There was a set there with different springs, Swifts I think that had 12/9 written on the advert material next to it. So springs that would have beat me to death and you can bet like nearly all JDM coilover struts, the wrong valving for anything but tracks. Can you tell I don't like JDM suspensions?

[Szumita]

nice...

[inpuressa]

YouTube - Cusco EVO X vs HKS STI - Tokyo Auto Salon 2008 Dai & Lisa 5

old vid, but i think these are the same cars.

[Subie 2.5 STI]

great vids

[GilMikalian]

Originally Posted by supermarkus

Heh, more like 100% stiffer than I would have liked on the old car. There was a set there with different springs, Swifts I think that had 12/9 written on the advert material next to it. So springs that would have beat me to death and you can bet like nearly all JDM coilover struts, the wrong valving for anything but tracks. Can you tell I don't like JDM suspensions?

So the next question is what's the best bet for a sane street setup that will get rid of the oversteer and the roll? Simple swaybars will do the trick? I'm torn about lowering the car because lowering ALWAYS makes a ride look nicer but it is SOOO nice not to have to worry about every little speed bump and road imperfection.