[drdome99]

I got a question... my STi is a daily driver and I'm looking for improved ride... probably going with some tanabe springs soon, not planning on auto-x or anything like that (maybe some local car shows) but might put in some minor mods like exhaust and intake, and might possibly do some 1/4 mile runs in the far future. Anyways my question: is anything beyond springs that important for just daily driving? I see all these people doing sway bars, strut tops, links, etc... but most also seem to say they are auto-xing. Will a daily-driver see enough improvement to spend the money on those other handling components or they only really make a bigger difference for hard course driving?

[FT@SGP]

In your situation, the swaybars would make the most single improvement and they are relatively low cost upgrade for the improvements. You can also use them as set-them-and-forget mode Just check them every 3 months as one of the general maintenance items, like oil change

[drdome99]

front and rear?

[FT@SGP]

I'd go for front first, but front and rear would be even better. Some people suggest doing the rear first to give the WRX platform a looser rear end, but that is not really the purpose in your case I believe. "Better handling" to me means a balanced approach, so doing the front-only first is quite alright if you happen to choose nothing larger than a 22mm bar (autocrossers take exception to this please ), or if you want to go with 25mm bars, then I'd suggest doing front and rear at the same time.

[Nivek]

swaybars and strut bars*

*this is a controversial topic that I am sure you will hear more about or just do a search. THe minimum benefit is that it makes the car feel like one solid piece.

[TreyS]

don't forget the V-Brace.

[Nivek]

Or the zero-lift lip that you have on your STI.

[Snax]

Swaybars however won't improve the ride at all. On bumpy roads they can actually make things worse because they reduce the independence of the suspension.

Unless you are unhappy with the balance, I would not change anything, although many have argued that the pinks actually improved the ride despite the stiffer rates and lowering. I find that hard to believe.

[sciolist]

I think the main "comfort" problem with the stock ride is bounciness, which is probably the result of mis-mated springs and dampers. The pinks might very well help if they are a better match for the stock dampers.

Presumably one anticipates the STi's ride to be stiff, so a little bit of impact would be acceptable.

It also seems like swaybars would allow for better cornering without going to stiffer (than the pinks) springs. So I guess I agree with Snax, they aren't going to help the ride, except to the extent that they can provide better cornering for a given level of ride - minus the loss of independence.

All of this begs the question though, how can you possibly not want a stiffer suspension than stock? It just seems to me that the STi screams out for more rigidity.

[drdome99]

I guess I should have rephrased... I'm not just looking for a "better ride" but better handling (that isn't excessive and only necessary for auto-x) as well as maintaining or improving the stock "ride"

[RS WRC]

Originally Posted by drdome99

I guess I should have rephrased... I'm not just looking for a "better ride" but better handling (that isn't excessive and only necessary for auto-x) as well as maintaining or improving the stock "ride"

I would suggest some adjustable coil-overs and sway bars to satisfy your needs... Then by just playing arround with the adjustment, you will have the ability to go from stock ride to what you think and feel is a better or improved ride.
(Check FT's notes on how their car's handling improved, yet became more everyday drivable: http://www.selgp.com/FLTA2-RS.htm )

Not to mention, 2-3" lowering for car shows

[RS WRC]

Originally Posted by RS WRC

I would suggest some adjustable coil-overs and sway bars to satisfy your needs... Then by just playing arround with the adjustment, you will have the ability to go from stock ride to what you think and feel is a better or improved ride.
(Check FT's notes on how their car's handling improved, yet became more everyday drivable: http://www.selgp.com/FLTA2-RS.htm )

Not to mention, 2-3" lowering for car-shows

Also, don't get me wrong. I like the stock set-up very much, and I normally don't agree with the idea of trying to improve the handling of the STI further.
But I respect other people's need-want situations

[drdome99]

Yea i was looking at coilovers for shows but they are a bit too expensive for me. I'm pretty much set on just goin with the Tanabes. And maybe some 20" chrome spinners for the car shows.



haha just kidding.

[ashumo]

i was in the same boat, i want the ass not to feel lofty. sway bar helped it feel more planted and made it follow me better. then i got pinks and cusco strut towwer bars and i think i want to go with coilovers for more adjustability. the ride is nice and the turn in is good, but i want more razor handling. im going to get a front sway bar first and then approach the coilover deal.

overall the stock set up is great for street but the loftness made me want to tune it and now i want more and more.

[Nivek]

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 talking specifically about daily driving since my car is a daily driver. For the track, I think they would be wonderful, but since I need a balance (and I imagine some others do as well), then this is something you might want to do before you go out and drop the cash. This particulary applies to you if you think you are older than the average individual that owns the STI.

I guess what I am saying is if you have never driven in a car with coilovers and you want great handling, go for a ride in one first. If that is what you are looking for, then there is no loss. However, if you did not take that ride and you did not like the coilovers once you have paid for them and their installation, then it might be too late.