New springs mean new struts?

[auspex]

After lots of fun research on the Legacies, I've decided to have fun with suspension/brakes/handling before I drop my retirement for engine upgrades. I figure the n.a 2.5 in my 97GT is already a decent powerplant, so why not improve it's handling to get the most out of the engine. ANyway, to the point:

If i get new springs..like the Eiback pro kit..do I have to upgrade struts as well? Is it worth saving up and getting both at the same time? or saving up for a set of coilovers....?

Let's assume that price IS an issue, but I've still got a decent budget that has some flexibility.... I'd like to go balls out with this thing, but want to do it right and learn in the process.

I'd like a small bit of lowering, but nothing slammed, and am looking to maintain a good ride feel...I want balance, essentially.

THanks guys and gals, any other tips, or places to look would be awesome..
mike

[voorhees]

please do this well KYB gr2 struts w/ ground control adjustable coilover springs. DO IT!

[shazapple]

Definitly worth it to do both struts and springs at the same time. If you dont, youre just going to be doing them in the near future anyway.

Im going with a set of KYB GR2's and H&R springs someday

[gil_ong81]

i have H&R Springs. i find them a little too low.

[ivwarrior]

If i get new springs..like the Eiback pro kit..do I have to upgrade struts as well?

You don't have to, but what shape are your current struts in? How old are they?



Is it worth saving up and getting both at the same time?


Yes. Not just because it'll give the best ride/handling, but because it'll save you labor (or labor $$ if paying to have it done) over doing them seperately.



or saving up for a set of coilovers....?


No. Generally, coilovers are very harsh riding. Great for a track only car where all out performance is what you're looking for, awful for a daily driver.

[Huffer]

Let's assume that price IS an issue, but I've still got a decent budget that has some flexibility.... I'd like to go balls out with this thing, but want to do it right and learn in the process.

You can't go balls out AND have price as an issue. Just doesn't work that way.

You have a couple of excellent OEM-style fitments in front of you. I would pick one and do it.

KYB GR2 w/ Eibach Pro kit is cheap and easy to bolt in.

Combine with some new strut tops and you have an easy way to swap in, just unbolt the entire assemblies and insert the new assembly. Alignment, done.

[Reason]

Do your strut mounts too!! If it's either OEM or STi do it. I tried slipping by and my mounts need to be replaced. I was going to do it but couldn't wait to have my suspension in. Do it all right the first time, you will be more pleased with the end results.

[jakmobile]

Which STI strut mounts to use? Good place to get them?

[gil_ong81]

someone check me on this, but i've heard numerous times taht you should replace your struts if you do springs. something about the shorter springs make the struts unhappy; reduced performance and durability.

[auspex]

i've checked out scoobytuner.com and some other sites, but does anyone have a holy grail of car tech? esp subies..... that i can find out more of, "if i replace this, then i should do this as well."

i'm really interested in tuning my suby properly and don't want to mod until i know what's shakin. thanks

[Huffer]

someone check me on this, but i've heard numerous times taht you should replace your struts if you do springs. something about the shorter springs make the struts unhappy; reduced performance and durability.

Correctomundo.

If you're going to do it, you should do it right first time. Older struts with aggressive springs will only worsen the wear n tear on the valving, accelerating the wear, necessitating the strut replacement as well.

auspex - the only place that has the holy grail of subie sites is the www.

You have to assemble your knowledge about your particular chassis by talking, reading and asking questions.

Because you have a BD GT, SLi or the Legacy Forum on NASIOC.com are your best shots.

for the really technical stuff, consider USMB, or even legacycentral.org

For JDM information:
www.clubsub.org.nz (http://www.clubsub.org.nz)

[Reason]

i'm really interested in tuning my suby properly

That's what we are trying to tell you. You have to SPEND MONEY to do it right. I would go with whiteline or Cusco coilovers and STi strut mounts. As for the less expensive road go with KYB GR2 struts, H&R or Whiteline springs.

[scottzg]

Springs dont wear out NEARLY as fast as struts do. Therefore, it makes sense to do struts before springs, if you're going to do just one.

Personally, i wouldn't bother with coilovers unless i was corner weighting my car. Sure, you can drop it for style, but lowering the front alters the toe, so you'd want an alignment every time you did it.

The topmounts do a fair bit for the feel of the car; it delivers more feedback w/o altering the harshness. Like reason, i did mine later and was glad i did.

I like the adjustable dampening shocks (although i don't own them), they let you loosen up the car w/o having to drive a tail-happy car around on a daily basis. One of those adjustable firmness swaybars would allow that too, but thats more of a pita.

If i was to make a priority list increasing in cost and 'do this firstness', id go:
steering rack bushings
stiffer endlinks and/or swaybar (theres many ways to do this)
good tires with a nice stiff sidewall
struts (priority depending on condition)
top mounts
springs

blah blah blah