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RB320 question

3.2K views 37 replies 14 participants last post by  05_GD7  
#1 ·
I have searched but with no luck.

Initially Prodrive was going to release the RB320 kit with an included adjustable sway bar. Unfortunately due to exchange rates, etc. they are now offering it as an option. They seem to be rather specific regarding setup of their suspension kit for optimal performance as it was designed so I am curious to know now if I wanted to go with a different brand of sway bar, which brand and what size would closely mimic the intended setup of the RB320 kit?

I ask this because of two reasons. One is because I have heard the prodrive bar is not available. That could be false. I dont know yet. Two is because the idea of using Cobb's bar with its adjustable mount setup is appealing.

Thanks for any help.
 
#3 ·
I have the RB320 on my 05 STi and I already have the Whiteline swaybars installed on my car. So I sent a couple email to Prodirve (dan@prodrive.com) and asked about the what setting on the swaybars and got NO RESPONSE! I currently have it set to 27 at front and 24 at the back. It seems to be Ok for daily driving and I think it oversteer a little when I exit the corner. But I am not much of a expert on suspension!
 
#4 ·
For those of you who dont know, Prodrive USA will be closing its doors as of end of December 2007. Before anyone calls BS, dont take my word on it, its true. This bothers me to the core as they have been a major contributor to the Subaru community in the USA for the last 7 years.

I am not sure if Dan is still at PD-USA, but I know Horacio is still there for the duration.

Here is the response from DAN at Prodrive from the NASIOC forum.

Prodrive
NASIOC Manufacturer


Member#: 118971
Join Date: Jun 2006
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Irvine CA


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guys,

This is true. Horacio and I have chosen not to continue with the Prodrive brand.
The decision was made last week and Prodrive UK has set a close date of Dec 31st.

I announced at SEMA that I was leaving Prodrive and moving my life and work up to the Northwest. This was not a very easy decision and I am sad to leave the brand after 5+ years of service.

I will remain in the high performance community and I will still make myself available to assist anyone with issues (Prodrive or other). I will continue to represent Prodrive Motorsport and still offer items such as the 08 STI take off parts.

Temporary contact: DanAntonielli at gmail.com

Kind Regards
__________________
Dan Antonielli
AIM: DAnton1316

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Prodrive : 11-21-2007 at 08:31 PM.
 
#6 ·
That's crazy news....

But back to the sway bar issue - I have a Cusco 22mm bar on the middle setting. I'll be receiving my RB320 kit soon - I'll let you know how it feels as a total package.
 
#7 ·
No kidding, wow. I don't get it. Was the USA branch not profitable? I can't imagine that being the case.

The RB320 rear bar was 22mm, but Dan @ Prodrive wouldn't give me the arm dimensions. Without knowing them, the diameter doesn't mean much. The bushings were rubber but under some pretension to get special deflection characteristics. I came up with a few guesses why Prodrive would do this, but Dan said they were all wrong.

So, we simply don't have enough information to know which other aftermarket bar most closely resembles the Prodrive one. I'm sure most 22mm bars get you close enough, though.

For the most OE experience, Cusco is the only company I'm aware of that uses a rubber bushing. They are maintenance free, which is nice.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for all the info even though some of it seems to be a little upsetting. I look forward to hearing people's suggestions on this.

If there was only one thing I would complain about regarding my stock 07 STi regarding handling, it would definitely be that it pushes its front at the limit instead starting to rotate like a traditional rear wheel drive vehicle (prior car was a '02 Z06). If by adding the RB320 suspension and some combination of sway diameters and adjustable settings, I could get it to rotate a little easier, my driving style would appreciate it.

I also read that the RB320 setup lends itself well to using an aftermarket rear sway with the stock front.

Thoughts?
 
#13 ·
Nope. Its still Bilstein with their track record and Prodrive Uk is reachable. Reality is there are not many , if any kits remaining. The few who have them are SUPER lucky. I spoke with Horacio to express my concern about this news and as a enthusiast and business owner, it broke my heart to hear the sound in his voice over this. Most dont realize that the people that run these businesses are enthusiast to the core. Providing products to a market that is relatively small in comparison to the other popular brands is a huge deal and we enjoy this more than anything.

This makes me sad. I hope something or someone steps in and saves this operation. The suspension community needs the RBkit, lowering springs, and further developement to give you the enthusiast options. Without options, its boring and everyone has the same parts on their cars.

Mw
 
#10 ·
Sorry for the hijack. Now that Prodrive USA is closing door, where can we get support/warranty for the RB320 if there's problem with it? Maybe that explained why Dan never answer my email. Horacio did answer the sale questions promptly and was very nice to send a hat and stickers to me. I guess we are not going to see the Prodrive swaybar in US now!

Is the 27 front and 24 rear Whiteline setup good for daily driving?
 
#12 ·
The Prodrive RB320s are Bilstein struts. Any Bilstein rebuilder can service them, and they're everywhere.

prodrive is leaving the U.S. that news ruins my whole day
Mine too, pretty much. :( Seriously debating between the RB320s and TiC coilovers now. Oy.
 
#16 ·
Racecomp- perhaps create a new thread for this?

My question for you is: are your shortened bump stops (used with your Blacks and Yellows) the same as the Prodrive bump stops? They look similar. If so, will you start selling them by themselves? Out of all of Prodrive's products, that's the one I most hate to see go. They made the stock suspension feel a lot better.
 
#25 ·
My wife slept in her Prodrive t-shirt last night !! I asked her why and she said...to show some respect. I was like..." wow".
damn, I wish I had a wife like that....

My wife wears my SPOON SPORTS shirt around (from my Honda days) but only because there's a long phrase in "ENGRISH" on the back that she thinks is absolutely hilarious.
 
#28 ·
Damn. I never would have thought.

I guess it's safe to assume that there will only be 40 sets of the RB struts/springs in North America until a vendor gets setup with Prodrive UK.

Is this being worked out, or is it tough-luck for North America once the vendors run out of Prodrive stock (wheels/mats/knobs/RBs)?
 
#31 ·
I just hope that they're as good as advertised ! I don't think I've ever read a bad thread about this set-up.
 
#35 ·
Anybdoy want to buy my RB320 kit for 4k? LOL.
 
#37 ·
Nope, I was thinking about some fixed perch ohlins w/ prodrive springs & some new kicks (RA-R rims, or SBC Advan RG2 w/ Mich. PS2 in a 235/40zr18 xl).