KYB shock and H&R spring combo too stiff. Any alternatives?

[Nickel Plated]

So I have a 2003 Outback wagon. I lowered it by doing a GT subframe swap (so it's pretty much a GT now) and installed KYB Excel-G shocks and H&R sport springs. Looks nice and low but it honestly feels a little too stiff. The roads in NYC are pretty terrible. Especially in the winter when they just start falling apart. And I think a softer setup would be better both comfort and performance-wise. And I wouldn't mind raising it up just a touch.

I was thinking of keeping the KYB shocks and just swapping the springs for some stock Legacy GT springs. Would that soften up the ride a bit? Or should I be looking to replace the shocks?

[rkrenicki]

You say you swapped the subframe, do you mean that you removed the spacers? I ask because the subframes are the same between the Legacy and the Outback.

Did you change the rear upper control arms and the rear bump stops as well? If not, then that is what is giving you the harsh ride. with the car being so low, you are likely riding the stops in the back.

[Dead91silvia]

You have other problems if you think H&R's are too stiff. Like Rob, said there are a lot of part to be changed if you are going to do it right.

[meepers]

Wow h&rs are too stiff? I have run h&r springs on nearly all of my lowered cars cuz they had the best road manners. You definately won't like eibach, swift, sprint or tiens. Too bad you can't swap Rex springs in. Those we a good combo for low and sedate on ,y 2nd gen

[Nickel Plated]

Duh. I remember you posted abbout the bump stops and rear upper CAs in the lowering thread rkrenicki.
Then life took financial priority and I just kinda forgot all about them.
Maybe I should swap over those parts before blaming the springs :oops:

[Wiscon_Mark]

What tires are you running? They can make a HUGE impact on ride quality, too.

[Nickel Plated]

Michelin Pilot Super Sport 225/45ZR17.
Just to make sure, so i don't have to ask the same question again later. If I still don't like the ride after swapping the rest of the suspension parts, would GT springs be softer than the H&Rs? Or would swapping the shocks be the better way to go?

[Wiscon_Mark]

I found Forester KYB struts to be stiffer than OEM, but I've been assured by members here that the BE/BH Legacy KYB struts are as smooth as the Subaru ones (which are also made by KYB). I guess I'd start with springs if I were going to do anything, but I have a feeling those UHP tires are adding to the harshness. Did you have them on with OE suspension before?

[Nickel Plated]

I did the wheels, tires and suspension work all together.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Honestly, when I switched between my Continental ExtremeContactDWS tires and my Xice Xi3s, I noticed a HUGE difference in ride quality (it got better).

I'm not saying you can't soften the ride a bit changing out the suspension bits, but the tires might be a big contributor.