[creator8]

Have a line on a really good deal on an H&R Coilover setup. Has anyone used these or have any experience of them. Ride? Handling etc.

Thanks

[lfungus]

I would love to hear too how these work on our cars. In general though I think the German coilovers have softer low speed compression dampening than the Japanese ones making them better on anything other than a smooth surface. I had 7/5 JICs on my WRX and they were much less compliant than say a GTI with H&Rs or Bilsteins with a similar front spring rate.

[FT@SGP]

H&R is a high-quality brand and sought after generally, but it is possible to say how they are without knowing the details or model in question. There is no such one thing as "H&R coilover setup", they are easily customized.

Also, in terms of lfungus' comment, there is much to a coilover setup than just "7/5 setup". For example, we customize JIC systems, and we can easily have a 8/8 setup built that rides softer on the street than a 7/5 setup; few tricks of the trade, so to speak

[creator8]

Apologies. For an 04 WRX STI there is a coilover set up on their site listed as follows:

Coil Over Lowering Front 1.2 - 2.3 Lowering Rear 1.0 - 1.9
Part No. 54458
$ 2,350.00 Kit

Bottom line is I can get it really cheap through a favor owed but if its not the right setup I'd rather not do it and just pay for what is right.

As far as what I'm looking for. I drive the car daily in Los Angeles (crappy street surfaces in general), track the car at HPDEs and Time Trials once a month on average. I would love to sharpen the car up a lot and have some adjustment between track and street. I'm also planning on swaybars (Cusco) and maybe a rear link setup from STI or Cusco and camber plates so the car is fully dialable.

I'm kind of into having softer compliance from the shocks and more roll stiffness from the bars etc. (If that makes sense).

How does H&R compare with similarly priced and similar street/track setups from Tein, JIC and the other Japanese manufacturers most people here seem to be going with? They don't seem to be getting much love on the STI sites.

Is there a specific setup from H&R I should be asking for?

My other thought is to try with Pinks and hardened strut tops instead of or before I try the coilovers.

I had a Porsche 996 C4 before the STI with full Euro Sport suspension and it had been well set up (corner weighted etc). It was stiff around town but amazingly balanced on the track. Would like to get the STI close to it. I've tracked the STI once at Buttonwillow bone stock so now I want to start sorting it out.

Your thoughts and advice is appreciated.
*

[FT@SGP]

I searched for information on that particular H&R kit, but I could not find much.

All I can really say about H&R is that they are truly high-quality, but is that setup the right one for STi or your driving preferences; I cannot say. The drop range seems reasonable; however, what spring rates are being used, what adjustments are included, and how effective those adjustments are, I do not know. We used to use H&R frequently on Porsches and BMWs as well as Bilstein, but majority of the setups were custom setups to suit a particular venue and driver. But many things have changed since I touched them with my own hands.

Tein, JIC, Cusco are all very good brands and high-quality as well. The most that I personally like is the JIC just for the fact that it is very customizable within its price range ($1750-2300) to suit various combination of priorities. The more features or customizations you do, the more expensive obviously, but I have not found an alternative to JIC that would have similar quality, features, and personal-fitment; at least not below $2800.

I am familiar with the 993/996 C2/4 and the M030 suspension and its Euro version. I do not think there is a way to make the STi handle like that. It can come close to the point where the driver would be enough of a differentiator, but the STi chassis is quite different. Porsche's are natural handlers, with the rear weight bias, chassis pivot point and CG. It is such a different way of chassis and driving. The STi has been built for different purposes that surpass the Porsche in handling in certain situations, mainly off-road, IMHO. However, we all acknowledge that Porsche is the king of GT arena. Heck they drove everyone out of the GT competition, and just recently Ferrari and BMW are getting back into it.

So, in short, the STi will not handle in similar fashion as a 996 C2 or C4; however, just like one has to adjust his driving style to get the most off a Porsche, the same goes for the STi. It took me about 3 months, 4 autocrosses, 2 track events to start understanding the differences. I cannot say I am there, but I have made progress.

I wish I could be of more help with the H&R, but our specialities truly shifted towards the other side with the STi

[tunedscooby]

I currently have H&R Coilovers on my 2001 VW GTI, I must say that everyone that I've talked to that knows anything about cars says that H&R's products are excellent!

Awesome build quality, and the ride is firm but never harsh, but if your running 19's than any coilover is gonna be harsh (at least here in Canada).

Now on the STI I'm not sure what the ride will be like, but having experience with H&R I would be comfortable getting the setup, but that's my opinion. Anyways good luck in your decision!

[creator8]

Thanks for the info on the H&Rs. A couple of friends have their setups on M3s and have been more than happy too.

I'm aware the STI isn't going to handle like a 996 C2 or C4. They are really brilliantly evolved and developed cars that handle pretty much perfectly. I got a couple of hundred miles in the STI at Buttonwillow the other week for the first time and I have to say its an impressive machine stock. The car really goes where you want it to and is nicely steerable with the throttle. It also drifts controllably.

I personally think all the talk of too much oversteer is nonsense. Its all about how you set the car up for the turns. Overall its not far off the Porsche and I'm sure will be able to handle similar limits with a different driving approach with a few mods. Pretty incredible given the price difference. The STI is definitely faster than my old 996 in a straight line and I love the way it knuckles down when the diffs kick in coming out of turns. You can really feel the mechanics of it in action.

First impression is that it could definitely use a little less body roll and second is the brakes need some work. I think stainless lines, appropriate pads and a high temp fluid will sort that out.

Hopefully I'll have the H&Rs soon and I'll give a report once I've tried them.

[timb]

creator8,
I just finished my first weekend at the track in the STi. Goodridge G-Force lines, Motul 600 fluid, and Ferodo 2500 pads at all four corners was great for fast, fade-free stopping.
I'm in agreement with you about the brilliance of the car in its stock configuration. But, I also agree that the chassis could be a little quieter--not only in regards to body roll, but also the nose dive under brakind and tail squat during hard acceleration. Sways would help the side-to-side movement, but obviously do nothing for the fore/aft movement. I'll stay stock for now, but save up for some coil-overs. Let us know what you think of the H&R set-up. I, too, have thought serious about them.

timb