Is the 07 STI Limited suspension really going to be different???? - Page 4

jjjheimer · 09-07-2006, 06:23 AM

Can anyone elaborate on the castor change to the front suspension on the 2007 STIs? Is this setup from a JDM model?

Conekiller13 · 09-07-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobie0791

seems that way to me.

+2.....

RG · 09-08-2006, 09:21 AM

I would love to have the new gearing. There is just such a big jump right now between 4th and 5th.

Borti · 09-08-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RG

I would love to have the new gearing. There is just such a big jump right now between 4th and 5th.

I know I posted this in the other thread but I think you should know this:

Here listed are the mph at 7,000 RPM's on the 2007 STi's.

For all of you drag racers out there, look at 4th gear

1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 5th / 6th

35.4 / 57.6 / 84.6 / 113.2 / 132.5 / 170.2

And for those who will be able to trap at speed 114+, the shift to 5th will be less of a drop than before... Much better gearing in almost everyway.

JustinH · 09-09-2006, 10:19 PM

hmm really good infomation thanks, but to clerify a little; the 07 STI has the same suspension as the 06, or is it watered down. I think the wider gears are much better, but subaru is making it so you can only get a certain body color with rim color ( ex: obp with only silver rims). So its still a toss up, but thanks for the good info.

JiveMasterT · 09-25-2006, 07:34 PM

I'm most annoyed about the lack of the sodium filled exhaust valves... wtf?!

I'd like to understand this castor change to... like what does that mean in terms of handling and what would be the best way to correct it? Why would they have changed it?

Ver7wannabe · 09-26-2006, 03:40 AM

It means the STI now handles closer to the WRX with a quicker steering rack.

If you really want to change it back, I believe the castor difference comes from the control arms that came on the earlier STIs. The dealer parts department would be able to tell you if they are a different part on the '07s.

TheLimitedProject · 09-30-2006, 04:36 PM

^^That's the thing. Anything you don't like about the 07's, swap, buy used, or order that part for the parts department.

RCane · 10-15-2006, 02:14 PM

Driver Impressions '05 vs. '07 Ltd. I've been driving an '05 aggressively for two years and just picked up an '07 Ltd. In comparison, the '07 Ltd has very sloppy and soft suspension and steering compared to my '05. It doesn't stick as well in corners at any speed. At high speed it definitely does not feel nearly as solid and the sloppy steering would make it more of a challenge to make quick corrections without loss of control. I'm very dissappointed. My '05 is stock but I'm going to have to invest heavilly in the suspension of my '07 to get it to where the '05 is. I'm still happy with my purchase (there are a lot of nice things about the Ltd) but Subaru has definitely gone backwards with the suspension - at least on the Ltd. I have not seen confirmation that the Ltd suspension is different from the Regular. Subaru's posted specs are the same for both cars.

**MRGLASS** · 10-16-2006, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCane

Driver Impressions '05 vs. '07 Ltd. I've been driving an '05 aggressively for two years and just picked up an '07 Ltd. In comparison, the '07 Ltd has very sloppy and soft suspension and steering compared to my '05. It doesn't stick as well in corners at any speed. At high speed it definitely does not feel nearly as solid and the sloppy steering would make it more of a challenge to make quick corrections without loss of control. I'm very dissappointed. My '05 is stock but I'm going to have to invest heavilly in the suspension of my '07 to get it to where the '05 is. I'm still happy with my purchase (there are a lot of nice things about the Ltd) but Subaru has definitely gone backwards with the suspension - at least on the Ltd. I have not seen confirmation that the Ltd suspension is different from the Regular. Subaru's posted specs are the same for both cars.

Thx for the review!! I was seriously considering the Ltd., but after reading this I'll probably stick to my 05

jjjheimer · 10-16-2006, 07:29 AM

Rcane are we talking a small percentage of sloppy steering versus the '05 or completely horrible? The removal of the spoilers means a decrease in down force so I guess if there was any doubt about the effectiveness of the wing here's some anecdotal evidence.

What's required to bring the '07 back to Spec-C spec? Just the shorter control arms? I read something about different weld positions for something related to the front strut position that reduced the castor angle.

RCane · 10-16-2006, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjheimer

Rcane are we talking a small percentage of sloppy steering versus the '05 or completely horrible?

If I turn the wheel on my '05 back and forth quickly, moving the wheel about 1-2" in each direction, the car rocks back and forth sharply. If I do that in the '07, it's barely perceptible.

I'll test it more systematically, but it feels like there's an extra 1" of play in the wheel. The soft suspension adds to the feeling that I'm not in control. I can't feel the road! The average driver wouldn't care, but my favorite direction, like most sti drivers, is "slideways".

My business partner says the steering on his is OK (he agrees about the suspension).

I've asked Subaru for more detailed info but so far they've only given me some very vague answers. I'm still working on them and will post anything I get.

Capn How · 10-16-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCane

Driver Impressions '05 vs. '07 Ltd. I've been driving an '05 aggressively for two years and just picked up an '07 Ltd. In comparison, the '07 Ltd has very sloppy and soft suspension and steering compared to my '05. It doesn't stick as well in corners at any speed. At high speed it definitely does not feel nearly as solid and the sloppy steering would make it more of a challenge to make quick corrections without loss of control. I'm very dissappointed. My '05 is stock but I'm going to have to invest heavilly in the suspension of my '07 to get it to where the '05 is. I'm still happy with my purchase (there are a lot of nice things about the Ltd) but Subaru has definitely gone backwards with the suspension - at least on the Ltd. I have not seen confirmation that the Ltd suspension is different from the Regular. Subaru's posted specs are the same for both cars.

My '07 ltd feels very much the same as my '05 did. The castor change is small an not very noticable. The thing I did notice is that my '05 felt more stable at higher speeds than my '07 though not by alot. The handling difference is negligable.

RCane · 10-16-2006, 01:35 PM

The mystery continues... Maybe I just had an exceptionally "tight" '05?

Subaru of America say: "There are no major differences, if any differences at all between the suspension of the STI and STI Limited... I am not aware that Subaru has moved towards a "softer" ride but we make different models to appeal to many different demographics and tastes. The 2002-2006 WRX suspensions have always been relatively stiff. And the STi suspensions have always been borderline race-like. We have not made anything on the STI "softer" since 2004 when we released them."

I also went through the part lists with the Austin at Rennick and we compared the 07 stock vs. 07 limited vs. 2005. All the suspension part numbers are the same. Austin also said there is nothing that can be "adjusted" to account for the change.

So the paperwork says they are the same but my ass and my hands say they definitely are NOT the same. Other people seem to be having the same experience - but not all experience the same degree of difference.

At this point it looks like springs, swaybars and some new steering wheel bushings are in my future. I'd still like to figure out what is accounting for the difference between my 2005 and my 2007 limited. I have not driven a 2007 regular yet but, again, all the paperwork says there is NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2007 LIMITED AND 2007 REGULAR suspensions.

RCane · 10-16-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capn How

The thing I did notice is that my '05 felt more stable at higher speeds than my '07 though not by alot.

The Limited spoiler reduces drag/lift but doesn't create any signficant downforce, so we're losing ~50lbs of downforce at 100mph. That would account for the car not feeling quite so solid at high speeds... I've been to 120 and it seems OK except for my suspension issues.

09-07-2006, 06:23 AM	#46
jjjheimer Junior STI Driver Car: '07 STI UGM Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 79 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Can anyone elaborate on the castor change to the front suspension on the 2007 STIs? Is this setup from a JDM model? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

09-25-2006, 07:34 PM	#51
JiveMasterT Professional STI Racer Car: 07 WRX STi Limited Fav Mod: Trunk Monkey Location: New York Posts: 609 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	I'm most annoyed about the lack of the sodium filled exhaust valves... wtf?! I'd like to understand this castor change to... like what does that mean in terms of handling and what would be the best way to correct it? Why would they have changed it? Last edited by JiveMasterT : 09-25-2006 at 07:53 PM.

10-16-2006, 07:29 AM	#56
jjjheimer Junior STI Driver Car: '07 STI UGM Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 79 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Rcane are we talking a small percentage of sloppy steering versus the '05 or completely horrible? The removal of the spoilers means a decrease in down force so I guess if there was any doubt about the effectiveness of the wing here's some anecdotal evidence. What's required to bring the '07 back to Spec-C spec? Just the shorter control arms? I read something about different weld positions for something related to the front strut position that reduced the castor angle. Last edited by jjjheimer : 10-16-2006 at 02:15 PM.

10-16-2006, 01:35 PM	#59
RCane Junior STI Driver Car: 07 Grey Ltd Fav Mod: Built in Passport SRX Location: Orange, CA Posts: 93 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	The mystery continues... Maybe I just had an exceptionally "tight" '05? Subaru of America say: "There are no major differences, if any differences at all between the suspension of the STI and STI Limited... I am not aware that Subaru has moved towards a "softer" ride but we make different models to appeal to many different demographics and tastes. The 2002-2006 WRX suspensions have always been relatively stiff. And the STi suspensions have always been borderline race-like. We have not made anything on the STI "softer" since 2004 when we released them." I also went through the part lists with the Austin at Rennick and we compared the 07 stock vs. 07 limited vs. 2005. All the suspension part numbers are the same. Austin also said there is nothing that can be "adjusted" to account for the change. So the paperwork says they are the same but my ass and my hands say they definitely are NOT the same. Other people seem to be having the same experience - but not all experience the same degree of difference. At this point it looks like springs, swaybars and some new steering wheel bushings are in my future. I'd still like to figure out what is accounting for the difference between my 2005 and my 2007 limited. I have not driven a 2007 regular yet but, again, all the paperwork says there is NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2007 LIMITED AND 2007 REGULAR suspensions. Last edited by RCane : 10-16-2006 at 01:40 PM.

09-08-2006, 09:21 AM	#48
RG STI Driver Car: Blue/Gold 05 STi Posts: 292 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	I would love to have the new gearing. There is just such a big jump right now between 4th and 5th.

09-09-2006, 10:19 PM	#50
JustinH Spec C Club Car: 07 STI OBP Fav Mod: we will see soon... Location: southern orange county(la Posts: 1,403 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	hmm really good infomation thanks, but to clerify a little; the 07 STI has the same suspension as the 06, or is it watered down. I think the wider gears are much better, but subaru is making it so you can only get a certain body color with rim color ( ex: obp with only silver rims). So its still a toss up, but thanks for the good info.

09-26-2006, 03:40 AM	#52
Ver7wannabe Spec C Club Car: Bugeyes forever! Location: CT Posts: 1,023 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	It means the STI now handles closer to the WRX with a quicker steering rack. If you really want to change it back, I believe the castor difference comes from the control arms that came on the earlier STIs. The dealer parts department would be able to tell you if they are a different part on the '07s.

09-30-2006, 04:36 PM	#53
TheLimitedProject Spec C Club Car: 07 STI LTD/08 STI Fav Mod: APS/Crawford/Cosworth/Aquamist Location: E-town, AB Posts: 2,322 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (5)	^^That's the thing. Anything you don't like about the 07's, swap, buy used, or order that part for the parts department.

10-15-2006, 02:14 PM	#54
RCane Junior STI Driver Car: 07 Grey Ltd Fav Mod: Built in Passport SRX Location: Orange, CA Posts: 93 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Driver Impressions '05 vs. '07 Ltd. I've been driving an '05 aggressively for two years and just picked up an '07 Ltd. In comparison, the '07 Ltd has very sloppy and soft suspension and steering compared to my '05. It doesn't stick as well in corners at any speed. At high speed it definitely does not feel nearly as solid and the sloppy steering would make it more of a challenge to make quick corrections without loss of control. I'm very dissappointed. My '05 is stock but I'm going to have to invest heavilly in the suspension of my '07 to get it to where the '05 is. I'm still happy with my purchase (there are a lot of nice things about the Ltd) but Subaru has definitely gone backwards with the suspension - at least on the Ltd. I have not seen confirmation that the Ltd suspension is different from the Regular. Subaru's posted specs are the same for both cars.