[srf]

Perhaps a naive question, but what would be the most affordable coilover with damping similar to the stock struts (i.e., won't piss off my girlfriend)? And would they be inverted? I'm thinking of going pinks w/strut tops since it's a daily driver with a half dozen track days a year; can't justify spending a couple grand just to corner weight since I'm not doing competitive events (but then I haven't driven a corner weighted car).

Personally I still think someone should offer sleeves that fit over the stock struts. =)

[srf]

Also trying to do this right the first time, unlike the Mustang where I lost a lot of time/money/skin trying various parts with various results...

[FT@SGP]

Originally Posted by Nivek-CA

Anyone looking at coilovers that has never had them should take a ride with someone that does. I new very little about them, and still do, but my friend got them installed on his STI and they are too much for me for daily driving and I would have been a little upset if I spent $1000+ to get the ride out of them that he did.

I am curious, which coilovers with which springs did your friend have Nivek-CA?

I think your good observation and suggestion would be better qualified with that information

[Nivek]

Ok, and you are right to imply that this might only be a problem with that coilover set. I was making a crazy assumption that all coilovers reacted the same. Let me find out.

Basically, they clunked alot which was annoying at times. Maybe that was just a characteristic of those specific units and not of all coilovers as a group. As soon as I reach him and get the information, I can post it.

[srf]

Seems like clunking would indicate some play in one of the bolts? I've had that happen when heim joints go south.

[FT@SGP]

Nivek-CA, I apologize if I came across too agressively, it was certainly not my intention.

However, as soon as people hear the word "coilovers" the assumption is that they are too stiff, too complex and you have to be hard-core to have them Obviously, you know, I do disagree with that .

At the same time, I have to say that if you took a ride in our STi, you would just hate our coilover setup, no question. But there is always something available in a wide range of setups

srf - you might be satisfied with a simple Tein SSP, or JIC FLTA2, or Tein Flex units. Generally clunking occurs, mostly to missing few details during installation and the upper top mount studs with units that do not include rubber mounts. SSP and Flex units do, but not JIC. You would hear clunking with the JIC units, but it is rare and only on hard pot holes and bridge connectors that are really off-line. Customers, who have solid top mounts have not complained to the point of it becoming an issue; but it is there. Some silicon taping around studs might help it. The benefit of the JIC units is that they are inverted monotubes and lighter than stock units and more compact.

Overall, if you are doing half-a-dozen track days/events a year, I highly doubt you will be satisfied with the "pink" setup, but it is just my opinion.

To do it right the first time, IMHO, you will have to pay. If you get coilovers that are low in quality, first they will be heavier than stock units, will most likely rust over time, and its adjustments will not be satisfactory. Coilovers is one area where "you get what you pay for" applies readily Saving $200-300 over the general high-quality units in the market, will eventually cause you problems.

If you are limited in budget to less than $1500 (not including installation), the I would recommend going the spring route as they won't cause much problems and if you pair them with stiff A/R bars, you might be alright at the track if you don't set too high of expectations

[srf]

FT@SGP- thanks for the advice. Yeah I'm not going to go cheap, won't do it unless it's going to last and perform better than stock. Haven't had a chance to get this car on the track yet so can't comment much, probably won't until late April... =(

[Nivek]

I could enjoy a set of coilovers for the track, but for daily use I should stick with the STI pinks.

[timb]

I'm looking forward to the (future) release of the Prodrive STi specific springs/bumpstops. I'm hoping that their progressive rates please me both on the road and track. I'll consider adding Hotchkis or Cobb sway bars if needed.