Unhappy with Suspension: which route to take?

Last fall I upgraded from my stock struts and springs to some lightly used Konis with Eibach springs on my 06 Legacy. I loved the look and how planted the car felt, but the ride was not half as comfortable as the stock setup. I can't seem to find the right setting as the ride is either too stiff and bumpy/harsh or too soft and bouncy. To make matters worse the roads where I live are pretty bad.

 

I have 2 dogs; one is a 5 year old Jack Russel named Delilah and she is fine riding in my car. My other dog is a 4 month old Jack Russel named Lily. She gets sick every time she gets in my car. She can ride in my wife's 98 Outback just fine and has only gotten sick in her car once (after she rode in my car got sick so I stopped let her walk around for 20 minutes and had my wife come get her) This, in addition to wanting a less harsh ride has led me to think that maybe I need to change my suspension setup.

 

I don't want to spend much/any money so I have a few options (Please let me know if I'm missing something!):

 

Option 1: go back to stock. I have the stock springs and struts. I'm not sure how many miles are on the struts as I bought the car with 87k and switched at 92k I would sell the Koni struts and Eibach springs. I would be inclined to install new KYB GR2 struts instead of installing my old struts again. I know they have some life in them, but I'm not sure how much honestly.

 

Option 2: Install stock springs and Konis. I'm not sure if this would help much as I have a feeling it's the Konis I'm not particularly liking.

 

Option 3: Install KYB GR2's with Eibach springs. I have seen folks say this combination is very comfortable... but then again the Koni/Eibach setup was supposed to be comfortable too. I'm not sure if there's something wrong with the struts or if I just don't like the combination.

 

Some additional information: I do have a JDM 20mm RSB and whiteline offset LCA bushings. Ride is a bit firmer due to wheel/tire setup (currently Starspecs wrapped around Kosei Racing K1 TS 18x7.5" wheels)

I have Konis with the stock springs and I like the combination. Firmer ride yet not harsh. My driving is real world not racing or autox.

Just put the stock springs on the koni converted struts or if you are wanting to spend more money find someone selling stock spec. B suspension. I suspect it will offer the ride vs handling you're looking for.

^+1

What the other guys said, put the stock springs on with the Konis. You will like that setup best I think.

 

-mike

 

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What would you guys say is a better set up, lets say performance over comfort,

The koni's with stock springs or a stock spec b set up

The Konis beat the factory spec.B bilsteins hands down. I'm not sure if the Spec comes with slightly stiffer rates though, but if they do, it's not that noticeable.

 

For performance over comfort though, I'd run the Konis with a stiffer spring, or go with some quality coilovers.

I am an Advanced Road Race Instructor (been doing it for about 10 years+ now) and I ran Pinks w/Konis and 24mm sways F/R on my LGT Wagon. Coupled with a lot of other bushings and chassis bracing it was a pretty awesome setup. Probably the best combo of street and track I've driven including "inexpensive" coilovers.

 

-Paisan

 

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/141039922.jpg%5Dhttp://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://upload.pbase.com/image/137566671.jpg

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.

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I am an Advanced Road Race Instructor (been doing it for about 10 years+ now) and I ran Pinks w/Konis and 24mm sways F/R on my LGT Wagon. Coupled with a lot of other bushings and chassis bracing it was a pretty awesome setup. Probably the best combo of street and track I've driven including "inexpensive" coilovers.

 

-Paisan

 

How low are those pinks? We both know just how wonderful the roads are in the tri-state.

They were low but not low or rough enough to let me not drive in NYC and NNJ with them. My 78 year old Mother In Law also rode in the car and never had a complaint, and she likes to complain...

 

-Paisan

 

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/141039922.jpg%5Dhttp://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://upload.pbase.com/image/137566671.jpg

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.

Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.

AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

I am an Advanced Road Race Instructor (been doing it for about 10 years+ now) and I ran Pinks w/Konis and 24mm sways F/R on my LGT Wagon. Coupled with a lot of other bushings and chassis bracing it was a pretty awesome setup. Probably the best combo of street and track I've driven including "inexpensive" coilovers.

 

IMO "inexpensive" coilovers are never a viable option.

IMO "inexpensive" coilovers are never a viable option.

 

Agreed. I've been trying not to rip on the cheapo coilovers lately.

 

-mike

 

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11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.

Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.

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I always rip on cheapo coiloivers lol

IMO "inexpensive" coilovers are never a viable option.

 

i wish i could hammer that notion in to every n00b who posts on here.

Shock dynos are what finally convinced me to stay far away from anything less than $1000 a corner

i wish i could hammer that notion in to every n00b who posts on here.

 

That notion werked on me . Live and learn.

$1000 per corner is unnecessary for a quality coilover though. Are you calling AST's sub par?

Well I suppose i'm talking for actually hard core tracking. If you are really trying to turn hot laps you want repeatability and the few shock dyno's I've seen on so called 'quality coilovers' leaves me wondering why people are so willing to spend 2000 dollars on them.

 

That being said many of them are just fine for getting that super low ride height people are looking for. However I am not willing to trade function for looks.

IMO AST 4100's would be an excellent beginner set for some serious track use. Once you get more seat time you will begin to want something that is DA, but the repeatability/consistency on the AST's is there.

 

So you only need to spend ~$750 per corner.

I consider the KWs to be minimum "entry" level coilovers. ASTs are good for the active weekend enthusiast (which we all are here) and up from there motons for real race cars... Sky is the limit once you get into racing.

 

-mike

AST's are great. i love my set. RCE Tarmac 1's are fine for most people who want to dabble in some autox/track days.

I think KW/RCET1's are an excellent street coil for very mild track use.

 

What do you guys think about the AST compared to Ohlins/Motons? AST's seem to hit a sweet spot between price/performance. AST 5000 series also seems like an excellent piece. IMO they are pretty much just as good as ohlins/motons for most people, unless we're talking about serious competition.

AST and Motor are the same company now IIRC. AST 4100, the ones i have, are a great setup for the weekend track/autox driver. ther are many levels of ast/moton and ohlins, both are great.

 

AST 5100/5200/5300 are more serious units for frequently tracked cars. i believe someone has a set for their grand am spec legacy. id love a set, but $6000+ for a set, not including springs or mounts, is a bit too much for me.

In addition to the stock spring swap consider going back to a 17" wheel and tire with a bit more sidewall. I noticed a dramatic improvement in comfort going that route from the 18" wheels. Due to a pothole I encountered I changed my setup to a 17x7.5 with a 225/45 and the same Bilstein/Swift combo and it was noticeably more comfortable (for obvious reasons). I think the Konis are still your best bet as they are adjustable.

Thanks for the tips guys. Maybe ill try the stock springs. I'd only be out the cost for an alignment if I replace the springs in my driveway.

 

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