[SpeedAddictSTI]

I have a 2004 subaru wrx sti with 83k miles already. I'm having a bit of a softer ride and noise coming from the struts. I have read that many people have had a problem with the struts making noise. In fact I even had the dealer replace the rear ones at about 24k miles, because of the noise and clunking I was getting.

My question is: I would like the best aftermarket setup for springs and struts. I want to have a great ride and still have the performance at wheels feeling. What do you all recommend for doing this?

[chaos311clarity]

best for ride quality ?


Ohlins Struts and stock springs...


best for performance with decent ride

Ohlins Struts with RCE yellows.

[Dji]

Does the ohlins really worth the price? Does they really worth it even if the stock shock are not in bad condition. I do 9-10 lapping day per years and drive the car daily.

Thanks
JF

[boondocksaint]

Originally Posted by Dji

Does the ohlins really worth the price? Does they really worth it even if the stock shock are not in bad condition. I do 9-10 lapping day per years and drive the car daily.

Thanks
JF

Bonjour.

Chaos has Ohlins struts on his car. The problem with the stock struts is that they will eventually begin to clunk. There are NOT many choices as far as aftermarket fixed-perch struts are concerned.

[SWortham]

Since you have an '04 it would be cheaper to buy some used WRX struts & Koni Yellow inserts. That's not an option for the '05+ STI's, but it is for the '04.

Perhaps someone who has done it can chime in. If not, I'm sure there are some threads about the Koni's around here somewhere.

[Dji]

Yhea I know, but at this price you can get coilover. So this is why I ask because my strut start to clunk but this dont justified a 2k$ bill.

Just want to know if it worth it for the performance , or if is just to dont have the clunk.

Thanks
JF

[SWortham]

Originally Posted by Dji

Yhea I know, but at this price you can get coilover. So this is why I ask because my strut start to clunk but this dont justified a 2k$ bill.

Just want to know if it worth it for the performance , or if is just to dont have the clunk.

Thanks
JF

With the Ohlins, you're paying for a better damper that won't clunk, but with one added bonus: damping adjustability. In this case it's primarily the rebound damping that's adjustable. But I think there's a bit of cross-talk on the adjustment so bump damping is affected a bit too.

Towards the softer end of the adjustment range you can expect the car to absorb bumps noticeably better than the stock struts and overall ride quality does improve. Towards the stiffer end of the adjustment range the handling of the car can tend to change dramatically. And you can really tune out a handling bias one way or the other. I've even gone too far and made my car oversteer too much by making the rear struts too stiff.

When it's really stiff like that it may "feel" better around a track, but not necessarily be faster. So to make a long story short you can probably expect a slight improvement in track speed once you've found some ideal settings for your specific car. Although it's really going to be the things like tires and alignment that will make the more significant difference in lap times.

Oh, and I can't speak from direct experience with the Koni's. But I'd expect some similar characteristics from them as well.

[mgsm666]

Originally Posted by SWortham

Since you have an '04 it would be cheaper to buy some used WRX struts & Koni Yellow inserts. That's not an option for the '05+ STI's, but it is for the '04.

Perhaps someone who has done it can chime in. If not, I'm sure there are some threads about the Koni's around here somewhere.

I would also recommend going the koni-insert route. Check out KINGER's review - he has an 04 also.

AND even if you had an 05, it IS still an option. I just ordered a set for my car - the only difference is that for the fronts, you need to buy housings - ground control makes a great set. Check out my journal for more info.


Jesse

[SpeedAddictSTI]

Well that does help a bit. I'm looking for the best possible setup either coilover or spring and strut combo, for the price. I'm not looking at spending a ton on it, I'm don't race my car, but like the performance feel and drive. What do you think?

[mtskibum16]

Originally Posted by SWortham

Since you have an '04 it would be cheaper to buy some used WRX struts & Koni Yellow inserts. That's not an option for the '05+ STI's, but it is for the '04.

Perhaps someone who has done it can chime in. If not, I'm sure there are some threads about the Koni's around here somewhere.

Originally Posted by mgsm666

I would also recommend going the koni-insert route. Check out KINGER's review - he has an 04 also.

AND even if you had an 05, it IS still an option. I just ordered a set for my car - the only difference is that for the fronts, you need to buy housings - ground control makes a great set. Check out my journal for more info.


Jesse

Actually, it has been documented a couple times now (on NASIOC) that the 05s CAN use the stock front housings for Koni inserts. There is some slight modification required but it is easy enough with regular tools and some sanding. It has also been discussed on here a couple times, but for some reason everyone seems to miss it.

Again, you CAN use Koni inserts on a 05 with the STOCK front strut housings. Then for the rear, just get some WRX housings.