I need your opinions on a setup

[rousie13]

I've run into a road block with deciding what suspension setup to purchase for my car. I'm debating between full coilovers, and a strut/sleeve coilover setup. I'm looking at Tein HE full coilovers as one choice. Or Ground Control Coilovers, GAB Super Strokes, SPL adjustable tension rods or Tein, and front tein pillowball mounts. Do you know where I can find the GAB's or comparible? So which setup would you go with for mostly street, but a few times on the track when I can get on it? I also plan on getting Suspension Techniques anti-sway bars when companies actually get them in stock from the backorder. I've searched on this topic, but couldn't get enough info to make a decision.

[Dori Dori]

You're gonna have to ride in peoples car brother. That's the only way to know for sure. I'm sure you've read my review (considering that you've listed every suspension component that I have), and I love my setup. But you may hate it! I can get you a link for the gabs tomorrow (I have it at work), but other than that, you can go Koni, AGX, or any other nice strut. Good luck to ya!

[rousie13]

Yeah, I did read your post(added the tension rods to the list after I read it because I have a little play as you mentioned you had). No one that I know has any of these components, so I can't ride in their car. My friend just bought ground contorls and AGX's for his honda, but wont' have them in for a few weeks. I would love full coilovers, just wondering if they would be too harsh of a ride.

[Dori Dori]

Well, I've ridden in car's equipped with FLTA2's, RA's, HA's, B6's, DMS, Koni/Ground Control, AGX/various springs, and of course, my setup... Those JDM coilovers are just waaay too stiff for me. They are built for a country of people that barely drive and when they do, it's on glass smooth roads. The Jics are even re-valved for the American market b/c of this...but I still found them to be too rough for daily driving. Remember, it's not the spring rates, it's the dampers. I'm running 450/350lbs/in (higher than 8/6kgf/mm) spring rates, and my ride is great...something I would have never said about my RA's (which had 8/6kgf/mm spring rates). For an all-around, do it all suspension setup, I'd definately pick mine (unless the Koni's were externally adjustable, then I'd pick them). I'd really like to feel how AGX's and the GC's would feel compared to these though.

[Dori Dori]

Here's that link:http://www.cyberauto.com/index.php/vehicles.htm

[rousie13]

Thanks a lot for the info. The GC/GAB's are almost as much as the full Tein coilovers, so I'm really in a dilemna now. I'd go with the AGX's, but they only recommend a drop of 1.5" and I wanted to drop my car 2".

[Dori Dori]

I know how you feel. You NEED to meet some local 240 people and ride in their cars. That's the ONLY way to tell. When I bought my RA's, everyone on the Impreza forum that owned them said they were 'smoother than stock'...one guy said 'my wife didn't even notice them'. Riiiight. People got car-sick in my car. No joke. I got headaches from south fl roadways everyday I left work. Even 'perfect' roads shook the car around. If you'd lay your head back on the head-rest, you'd damn near get knocked out! I wish I knew some people with hardcore JDM struts at the time of my RA purchase b/c I would have never, ever bought them if I had taken a ride in a car with them. The only thing that matters though is what you think of them and how much you can tolerate.

I peiced my current suspension together with a thought-to-be impossible goal in mind; almost as smooth as stock when the dampening is turned down, high spring rates, dampers that can handle the spring rates & a somewhat low drop, light-weight, and balls to the wall when the dampening is increased. Turns out, this setup exceeded my expectations. Everything I was hoping they would do, they did better. A friend of mine with an FC (who rode in my RA equipped WRX many times) has the same 'impossible' goals. When he rode in my car, his first comment was 'there's still hope for me' followed by a huge grin. Anyway, I hope that whatever you choose to do will make you happy. Good luck to you.

[rousie13]

I wish there were local 240 people around here, but I've seriously only seen three 240's over like a 50 mile radius, and none in my area. I guess I will just have to pick one and hope for the best. Thanks a lot Dori Dori for the info and help.

[91nis240]

Those AGX's will be fine w a 2 inch drop, before i had my JIc's i had agx's matched w/ cheap sleeve coil overs dropped about 2.5inches and the struts held up great. PLus the ground control spring is better w/ the struts. When they say only drop 1.5 inches they are just being on the super safe side so it will handle that extra .5 inch. good luck bro.

[Dori Dori]

No, you lose your warranty if you drop past 1.5". Don't say that they'll be fine b/c you had no problems. You just got lucky. Of course it's a 'just to be on the safe side thing'...but some people LIKE being on the safe side. Hell, I know I do!:)