WRX Koni's installed in 04 STI - REVIEW - Page 3

meajas12 · 07-11-2006, 02:32 PM

kinger, what bumpstops did you use with the koni/ wrx strut set up?

kinger · 07-11-2006, 06:10 PM

Stock bump stops, remember stock STi springs WRX housing with Koni inserts in them. I did Group N fronts while I was in there.

Just a UPDATE:

Got about 6000 miles on them now and nothing has changed, they handled perfectly a a driving event I went to and every day driving is just "normal" now I don't even remember bobble-heading and so annoyed I wanted to scream on this 5 miles patch of road I drive!

The only draw back I see is adjusting the rears, they are not real easy. I'm going to fab up the dust covers to incorporate some sort of perment knob mount so you will be able to see the koni knobs just poking out of the back of the seat

Other then that if your on the edge DO IT you will not be dissappointed with the ride track or street...

endo · 08-22-2006, 11:50 PM

My car developed the dreaded rear strut clunking at about 25k. Struts replaced under warranty...no problem. Happens again at 50k...problem. no warranty, so $2000. Now...no wanting to be an idiot, I research the issue. I found the clunking thread here on IWSTI. Obviously stock struts are not for me.

I looked into coilovers, but Gruppe-S and Rallitek steered me away because I am a daily driver and they thought the coilovers would be overkill. Looked into Ohlins, then found this thread. PM'd Kinger for some great advice.

After looking around, I googles for used WRX struts and came up with Paul at Primitive Racing. I know of him as a friend of a friend of a friend. I call him up, but he only has 1 front and 1 rear. But...he did have a set of Outback Sport struts with less than 5k on them. Turns out they are the same with the exception of a slightly deeper spring rest. He also ordered up the Konis, gave me a great deal on a slightly used set of Eibach Springs and then pointed me to a "shade tree" guy who happens to be a crack rally car mechanic.

Just got the car back and what a difference! Bobblehead is completely gone. Hitting sharp-edged bumps now make a noticable "thunk" rather than the bone-jarring shake that the car previously exhibited. Best of all is the better tracking in corners with jacked up tarmac.

I know some of you suspension purists will flame me for being a

idiot and screwing up the "wonderful" handling of my car, but I get the feeling that I will be much happier with my daily driven STI! Thanks, Kinger!

fuzzydude · 08-30-2006, 05:49 AM

I installed Koni SA and Swifts springs in WRX housings last month and I just love them. I've been through JDM coilovers which have horrible shocks for a DD car. Konis, on the other hand, just transformed my car. No bobble, no limited suspension travel, just a comfortable ride when soft. Not a cadillac by any means, but hit a bump and it just handles it. In my book, this is as good as it gets for streetability, but as we all know.. opinions vary.

Speaking of suspension travel, I could not believe how far the control arms could drop with the Konis. I took a picture of the front and it had something like 9+ inches of articulation! I had to disconnect the sways and have someone stand on the arms to even get the housing on. Maybe I had my crappy coilovers for too long to remember the stockers, but I was actually worried before I dropped the car back onto it's wheels that my car would look like a Jeep, but it sat perfectly.

The Swift Mach Sport springs are also incredible. I can feel so much control on hard turns from side to side, even compared to coilovers. I think what most reviewers fail to mention is how predictable these very linear springs can be when turning side to side vs. progressive springs.. but I digress.

With Konis and stock springs I have no doubt the car could be one of the most comfortable STis ever, short of using WRX springs.

A quick thanks to Kinger for his review and to Dale Teague from Boxer4Racing for a great bolt-on Koni strut and good installation advice.

kinger · 09-19-2006, 10:21 AM

Fuzzydude - Your welcome!! Welcome to the offical "I love my STI suspension club!" Its been over 5 months now and I was on I-90 again in SE MN and thought to myself, thank GOD I have Koni's, amazing the difference for less then 60% $$ of everything other alternative.

Also need to shout out to jaydubya again, thanks again for turning me on to these!!!!!!!!!!!

kinger · 09-19-2006, 10:31 AM

It doesn't look like I ever gave my track results with this combo. I attended a driving event in June with the BMW club and I turned up the struts to full firm in the front and full soft in the rear (because I couldn't reach them and forgot my tools). They did amazing, even on stock springs body roll was not a problem and a few other STI owners that were there commented on the handling compared to there cars with pinks. This was a driving event so no timimgs or anything but I learned the car can still out drive me so if your worried about performance at a track event these are the pefect set up to drive there with. Performance is on par or better with any spring strut combo and just short of coil overs IMO. Since I'm not a big track whore it is a perfect set up. I drove out there (3 hours) on full soft, cranked them up whooped up on a few cars, and then drive home in comfort of my AC and smooooth ride. Thanks!

Mykl · 09-19-2006, 11:03 AM

In the 150 miles I've been able to experience them, so far I'm very happy with my Koni DA's. They aren't even dialed in yet and they already feel lightyears ahead of the stock dampers.

This Koni SA + GC setup sounds like an excellent alternative to similarly priced JDM coilovers.

jaydubya · 09-19-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinger

Also need to shout out to jaydubya again, thanks again for turning me on to these!!!!!!!!!!!

You're welcome and I'm still jealous!

Still nothing but Ohlins for us 05+ guys, will probably bite the bullet one of these days...

meajas12 · 09-19-2006, 05:42 PM

I just did koni's on my 04 Sti with Prodrive Sti springs. I was also looking for a more comfortable ride. I have them set at 1/2 turn from full soft and they feel much better than the inverted Sti struts. Bobblehead- gone. Thanks kinger for this good info. Here's a pic. I had the strut housings powder coated before I put the inserts in.

calisti · 09-23-2006, 05:29 AM

I currently have the Apexi N1 Type V coilovers with adjustable camber plate up front and sold my STI inverted struts and springs awhile ago. It is great on perfect roads and body roll is almost non existent with my WL swaybars but drivability sometimes bouncey and defenitley not as smooth more jarring on less than perfect roads. I've personally gotten used to it but my wife always complains and I don't blame her. Definitly a big difference in ride quality than her 04 G35, smooth as hell. I guess I thought that great handling compromises comfort, but not after reading this thread.

Can I switch out the stut cartidges out of my Apexi's for the Koni's, will this work?
Here's a pic of the Apexi's:

Sti491 · 10-01-2006, 03:12 PM

Great write up Kinger... you got me over the top on my decision.

Like you I have 2004 STi. Ordered Koni inserts and a set of 2006 WRX strut take offs, Group N's all around and RCE springs.

Did you get the entire WRX strut assembly or just the naked struts? What I am wondering is will all my 2006 STi various parts like the dust boots, top spring perches, rear rubber seat, etc work on the 2006 WRX strut w/Koni insert installed... did you use the WRX strut misc parts or transfer those parts from your STi struts to the WRX struts with inserts?

The interchangability of the STi inverted vs non inverted WRX strut bump stops have me worried. If I don't get those on my WRX take offs can I use the ones from my STI?

Lastly, to get the rear koni adjusters to sit up over the seat to adjust without taking the seat out can you make an extender out of a piece of round stock, or maybe even a flexible plastic/rubber tube clamped or just pressure fit stuck on the top of the adjuster poking up behind the seat with the knob attached to the other end? How much resistance is there when you turn the adjusted knob?

I can't wait to get this set-up on my STi! Would really appreciate your advice on the various WRX/STi misc parts interchangability

silver arrow · 10-02-2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calisti

I currently have the Apexi N1 Type V coilovers with adjustable camber plate up front and sold my STI inverted struts and springs awhile ago. It is great on perfect roads and body roll is almost non existent with my WL swaybars but drivability sometimes bouncey and defenitley not as smooth more jarring on less than perfect roads. I've personally gotten used to it but my wife always complains and I don't blame her. Definitly a big difference in ride quality than her 04 G35, smooth as hell. I guess I thought that great handling compromises comfort, but not after reading this thread.

Can I switch out the stut cartidges out of my Apexi's for the Koni's, will this work?
Here's a pic of the Apexi's:

I thinking of doing the same with my Tein Flex. I want to use the double adjustable inserts or the 2817 strut body with the Tein bits. Single adjust run $160 ea, DA $255-300 ea and the 2817 $1250 pr. Will be interesting if it works.

Mykl · 10-02-2006, 09:50 AM

Konis rule. Love my 8611's.

silver arrow · 10-02-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mykl

Konis rule. Love my 8611's.

Do you autocross? How many levels of adjustment for rebound and compression? What springs are you using?

Mykl · 10-02-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silver arrow

Do you autocross? How many levels of adjustment for rebound and compression? What springs are you using?

12 clicks for compression and 2.5 turns for rebound. I'm using Eibach ERS springs, 450 lb/in front and 400 lb/in rear. That comes out to roughly 8k/7k.

...and yes, I autocross. Although mainly for fun, the setup is for PDE's and track days.

07-11-2006, 02:32 PM	#31
meajas12 Amateur STI Driver Car: 04 Sti 04 Cobra Fav Mod: Stickers Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 10 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	kinger, what bumpstops did you use with the koni/ wrx strut set up? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

08-22-2006, 11:50 PM	#33
endo Lurker Car: Silver 04 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: iPOD Docking Station Location: Dayton, OR Posts: 1 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Just did it!!! Story and First Impression My car developed the dreaded rear strut clunking at about 25k. Struts replaced under warranty...no problem. Happens again at 50k...problem. no warranty, so $2000. Now...no wanting to be an idiot, I research the issue. I found the clunking thread here on IWSTI. Obviously stock struts are not for me. I looked into coilovers, but Gruppe-S and Rallitek steered me away because I am a daily driver and they thought the coilovers would be overkill. Looked into Ohlins, then found this thread. PM'd Kinger for some great advice. After looking around, I googles for used WRX struts and came up with Paul at Primitive Racing. I know of him as a friend of a friend of a friend. I call him up, but he only has 1 front and 1 rear. But...he did have a set of Outback Sport struts with less than 5k on them. Turns out they are the same with the exception of a slightly deeper spring rest. He also ordered up the Konis, gave me a great deal on a slightly used set of Eibach Springs and then pointed me to a "shade tree" guy who happens to be a crack rally car mechanic. Just got the car back and what a difference! Bobblehead is completely gone. Hitting sharp-edged bumps now make a noticable "thunk" rather than the bone-jarring shake that the car previously exhibited. Best of all is the better tracking in corners with jacked up tarmac. I know some of you suspension purists will flame me for being a idiot and screwing up the "wonderful" handling of my car, but I get the feeling that I will be much happier with my daily driven STI! Thanks, Kinger!

08-30-2006, 05:49 AM	#34
fuzzydude Amateur STI Driver Car: '04 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Konis and Swifts! Location: South Florida Posts: 48 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Kinger mod FTW! I installed Koni SA and Swifts springs in WRX housings last month and I just love them. I've been through JDM coilovers which have horrible shocks for a DD car. Konis, on the other hand, just transformed my car. No bobble, no limited suspension travel, just a comfortable ride when soft. Not a cadillac by any means, but hit a bump and it just handles it. In my book, this is as good as it gets for streetability, but as we all know.. opinions vary. Speaking of suspension travel, I could not believe how far the control arms could drop with the Konis. I took a picture of the front and it had something like 9+ inches of articulation! I had to disconnect the sways and have someone stand on the arms to even get the housing on. Maybe I had my crappy coilovers for too long to remember the stockers, but I was actually worried before I dropped the car back onto it's wheels that my car would look like a Jeep, but it sat perfectly. The Swift Mach Sport springs are also incredible. I can feel so much control on hard turns from side to side, even compared to coilovers. I think what most reviewers fail to mention is how predictable these very linear springs can be when turning side to side vs. progressive springs.. but I digress. With Konis and stock springs I have no doubt the car could be one of the most comfortable STis ever, short of using WRX springs. A quick thanks to Kinger for his review and to Dale Teague from Boxer4Racing for a great bolt-on Koni strut and good installation advice.

09-23-2006, 05:29 AM	#40
calisti Professional STI Racer Car: 04 WRB STI Fav Mod: vf36 Location: 315 awhp 371 ft/lbs Posts: 805 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (4)	I currently have the Apexi N1 Type V coilovers with adjustable camber plate up front and sold my STI inverted struts and springs awhile ago. It is great on perfect roads and body roll is almost non existent with my WL swaybars but drivability sometimes bouncey and defenitley not as smooth more jarring on less than perfect roads. I've personally gotten used to it but my wife always complains and I don't blame her. Definitly a big difference in ride quality than her 04 G35, smooth as hell. I guess I thought that great handling compromises comfort, but not after reading this thread. Can I switch out the stut cartidges out of my Apexi's for the Koni's, will this work? Here's a pic of the Apexi's: Last edited by calisti : 09-23-2006 at 05:40 AM.

07-11-2006, 06:10 PM	#32
kinger Professional STI Driver Car: 04 STI Fav Mod: Koni shocks Location: BFE Iowa Posts: 497 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	Stock bump stops, remember stock STi springs WRX housing with Koni inserts in them. I did Group N fronts while I was in there. Just a UPDATE: Got about 6000 miles on them now and nothing has changed, they handled perfectly a a driving event I went to and every day driving is just "normal" now I don't even remember bobble-heading and so annoyed I wanted to scream on this 5 miles patch of road I drive! The only draw back I see is adjusting the rears, they are not real easy. I'm going to fab up the dust covers to incorporate some sort of perment knob mount so you will be able to see the koni knobs just poking out of the back of the seat Other then that if your on the edge DO IT you will not be dissappointed with the ride track or street...

09-19-2006, 10:21 AM	#35
kinger Professional STI Driver Car: 04 STI Fav Mod: Koni shocks Location: BFE Iowa Posts: 497 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	Fuzzydude - Your welcome!! Welcome to the offical "I love my STI suspension club!" Its been over 5 months now and I was on I-90 again in SE MN and thought to myself, thank GOD I have Koni's, amazing the difference for less then 60% $$ of everything other alternative. Also need to shout out to jaydubya again, thanks again for turning me on to these!!!!!!!!!!!

09-19-2006, 10:31 AM	#36
kinger Professional STI Driver Car: 04 STI Fav Mod: Koni shocks Location: BFE Iowa Posts: 497 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	It doesn't look like I ever gave my track results with this combo. I attended a driving event in June with the BMW club and I turned up the struts to full firm in the front and full soft in the rear (because I couldn't reach them and forgot my tools). They did amazing, even on stock springs body roll was not a problem and a few other STI owners that were there commented on the handling compared to there cars with pinks. This was a driving event so no timimgs or anything but I learned the car can still out drive me so if your worried about performance at a track event these are the pefect set up to drive there with. Performance is on par or better with any spring strut combo and just short of coil overs IMO. Since I'm not a big track whore it is a perfect set up. I drove out there (3 hours) on full soft, cranked them up whooped up on a few cars, and then drive home in comfort of my AC and smooooth ride. Thanks!

09-19-2006, 11:03 AM	#37
Mykl S204 Racer Car: '04.5 STi Fav Mod: ZZYZX Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 2,751 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	In the 150 miles I've been able to experience them, so far I'm very happy with my Koni DA's. They aren't even dialed in yet and they already feel lightyears ahead of the stock dampers. This Koni SA + GC setup sounds like an excellent alternative to similarly priced JDM coilovers.

09-19-2006, 05:42 PM	#39
meajas12 Amateur STI Driver Car: 04 Sti 04 Cobra Fav Mod: Stickers Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 10 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	I just did koni's on my 04 Sti with Prodrive Sti springs. I was also looking for a more comfortable ride. I have them set at 1/2 turn from full soft and they feel much better than the inverted Sti struts. Bobblehead- gone. Thanks kinger for this good info. Here's a pic. I had the strut housings powder coated before I put the inserts in.

10-01-2006, 03:12 PM	#41
Sti491 Silver Member Car: 04 JBP WRX STi Fav Mod: ProTune by Hill at Agile Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 325 Join Date: Mar 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Great write up Kinger... you got me over the top on my decision. Like you I have 2004 STi. Ordered Koni inserts and a set of 2006 WRX strut take offs, Group N's all around and RCE springs. Did you get the entire WRX strut assembly or just the naked struts? What I am wondering is will all my 2006 STi various parts like the dust boots, top spring perches, rear rubber seat, etc work on the 2006 WRX strut w/Koni insert installed... did you use the WRX strut misc parts or transfer those parts from your STi struts to the WRX struts with inserts? The interchangability of the STi inverted vs non inverted WRX strut bump stops have me worried. If I don't get those on my WRX take offs can I use the ones from my STI? Lastly, to get the rear koni adjusters to sit up over the seat to adjust without taking the seat out can you make an extender out of a piece of round stock, or maybe even a flexible plastic/rubber tube clamped or just pressure fit stuck on the top of the adjuster poking up behind the seat with the knob attached to the other end? How much resistance is there when you turn the adjusted knob? I can't wait to get this set-up on my STi! Would really appreciate your advice on the various WRX/STi misc parts interchangability

10-02-2006, 09:50 AM	#43
Mykl S204 Racer Car: '04.5 STi Fav Mod: ZZYZX Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 2,751 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Konis rule. Love my 8611's.