NE1, limited suspension mods, please advise
03-20-2004, 12:48 PM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 26
Car Info: 2002 REX ClubSpec.AccessStg2
NE1, limited suspension mods, please advise
Hi gang,
Not sure how this will go over. Here goes.
I think I'll go crazy if I don't make decision about my suspension upgrades. I intend the mods to be mild. One thing to factor in is my intent to get a rev-lab quick rack, the 11.5:1 gear. That's pretty quick. Now, 90% of my driving is urban. So I get a lot of my fun by tossing my car (safely but tightly) around city corners. My goal is to have a car with better reflexes to try to match the steering, but keep enough stock components in the suspension to survive the potholes, and not become a rattle trap. Compliant and nimble.
I still like a good twisty too. Check me on this: solid rear end links; upgraded front and rear anti-roll bar bushings; upgraded steering rack bushings. (anyone install a bsuhing kit?)
Coming from a '91 MR2t, I like how the stock REX suspension handles uder power, generally. I'm running 225x50x16 RE950s, at 37/36 f/r.
I'd like to hear from WRX owners who've applied only limited mods to the stock suspension, with similar goals in mind.
1 What were your goals?
2 Did your mods meet your goals?
3 Do you intend to keep the suspension at it's current mod state?
4 Do your mods exceed your goals (versus meeting your goals)?
5 For your style of driving, what would you have changed about the end result, if anything?
thanks!
Darryl
Not sure how this will go over. Here goes.
I think I'll go crazy if I don't make decision about my suspension upgrades. I intend the mods to be mild. One thing to factor in is my intent to get a rev-lab quick rack, the 11.5:1 gear. That's pretty quick. Now, 90% of my driving is urban. So I get a lot of my fun by tossing my car (safely but tightly) around city corners. My goal is to have a car with better reflexes to try to match the steering, but keep enough stock components in the suspension to survive the potholes, and not become a rattle trap. Compliant and nimble.
I still like a good twisty too. Check me on this: solid rear end links; upgraded front and rear anti-roll bar bushings; upgraded steering rack bushings. (anyone install a bsuhing kit?)
Coming from a '91 MR2t, I like how the stock REX suspension handles uder power, generally. I'm running 225x50x16 RE950s, at 37/36 f/r.
I'd like to hear from WRX owners who've applied only limited mods to the stock suspension, with similar goals in mind.
1 What were your goals?
2 Did your mods meet your goals?
3 Do you intend to keep the suspension at it's current mod state?
4 Do your mods exceed your goals (versus meeting your goals)?
5 For your style of driving, what would you have changed about the end result, if anything?
thanks!
Darryl
Last edited by darryl; 03-20-2004 at 01:00 PM.
03-22-2004, 05:57 PM
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 26
Car Info: 2002 REX ClubSpec.AccessStg2
Joel, thanks
Thanks for the reply, Joel. I think I want to start small. My first mods will be to replace the stock sway bar bushings, and add at least a firmer rear end link. Wii that setup reduce roll?
Or...Maybe a larger front bar to take away some of that roll. It would be nice to replace them both. Hmmm... maybe a larger front AND rear bar with the rear still being somewhat smaller, but larger than stock? I'm not trying for oversteer here, just to minimize the leaning a bit. Well now I'm confused again!
darryl
Or...Maybe a larger front bar to take away some of that roll. It would be nice to replace them both. Hmmm... maybe a larger front AND rear bar with the rear still being somewhat smaller, but larger than stock? I'm not trying for oversteer here, just to minimize the leaning a bit. Well now I'm confused again!
darryl
03-22-2004, 06:25 PM
#4
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Posts: n/a
lol, ok here's the deal, most quality sway bars come with their own bushings included, it's generally advisable to have a bigger bar in the rear than in the front. The rear bar is adjustable and good front ones are as well. New endlinks aren't going to make much difference on the stock bar. My advice, buy both the perrin bars, mess with the settings to get them where you want, spring for the endlinks later when you can. I've got both my bars on their tightest setting and it's perfect. Also for the stiffening you're talking about the good sway bars come with stronger stiffer mounts (i.e. Perrin and Hotchkis) IMHO the Perrin is a great buy. Talk to my buddy Sean at www.rallitek.com and tell him Joel told you about the perrin setup, I'm sure he'll hook you up with a price (shipped) that you couldn't find anywhere else.
just my $.02,
Joel
just my $.02,
Joel
03-23-2004, 05:11 AM
#5
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 26
Car Info: 2002 REX ClubSpec.AccessStg2
great info
Joel,
I already know about sizing the bars as you've suggested. But for a while I was thinking that too much bar will reveal bad handling traits in low-traction conditions like rain and snow. In retrospect, I don't see a real problem with that setup for the REX. I forget sometimes that I drove a modifed MR2_Turbo (stiffer struts, larger bars f/r) for 10 years in Cincinnati. This town is known for it's hills and it's broad range of weather, including freezing rains and snow. I got around pretty good compared to most, and on unplowed streets!
I have gone to the Rallispec site (it's open in another window now), and I will look it over. Thanks!
Last night I sent my intent-to-purchase to
Rev-Lab . I want the 2.1-turns-to-lock (11.5:1) rack. That's why I want to sharpen the car a bit while keeping the ride compliance as close to stock as I can (in balance) accomodate. An adjutable bar might be just the ticket! thanks,
darryl
I already know about sizing the bars as you've suggested. But for a while I was thinking that too much bar will reveal bad handling traits in low-traction conditions like rain and snow. In retrospect, I don't see a real problem with that setup for the REX. I forget sometimes that I drove a modifed MR2_Turbo (stiffer struts, larger bars f/r) for 10 years in Cincinnati. This town is known for it's hills and it's broad range of weather, including freezing rains and snow. I got around pretty good compared to most, and on unplowed streets!
I have gone to the Rallispec site (it's open in another window now), and I will look it over. Thanks!
Last night I sent my intent-to-purchase to
Rev-Lab . I want the 2.1-turns-to-lock (11.5:1) rack. That's why I want to sharpen the car a bit while keeping the ride compliance as close to stock as I can (in balance) accomodate. An adjutable bar might be just the ticket! thanks,
darryl
03-23-2004, 07:23 AM
#6
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Posts: n/a
well two things, I said rallitek not spec lol and the 11.5-1 might be a little quick, they also offer a 12.5-1 which isn't quite as crazy. 11.5-1 is cool if it's not your daily driver, otherwise you will have to concentrate every singe second of driving. It's up to you though. Good luck, and by the way, I live in Portland OR and haven't had any handling problems in the rain or snow, just fun when I wanted it and stability when I didn't.
Cheers,
Joel
Cheers,
Joel
03-23-2004, 08:06 AM
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 26
Car Info: 2002 REX ClubSpec.AccessStg2
D'oh!
Actually I meant to type Rallitek! 
I've been to the site already. It seems to have great stuff!
Anyway, about that quick rack; I've been in contact with people who own the 11.5:1 rack. I'm told by them that as a daily driver it poses no problems, and feels more natural than always sawing on the wheel. There is a review on this site somewhere, I think. No tracking problems. No dartiness. Not all over the road. Still able to cruise about, driving with the left hand only, and the elbow propped on the window. I test drove an EVO, and quick as that steering is (13:1) it was just a more natural steering experience. I adapted to it way too easily. Spent about 45 minutes in it having fun on fun roads. Salesguy just wanted to get some fresh air.
So I am not the least daunted, and I think my expectations are sound.
thanks again,
Darryl
I've been to the site already. It seems to have great stuff!Anyway, about that quick rack; I've been in contact with people who own the 11.5:1 rack. I'm told by them that as a daily driver it poses no problems, and feels more natural than always sawing on the wheel. There is a review on this site somewhere, I think. No tracking problems. No dartiness. Not all over the road. Still able to cruise about, driving with the left hand only, and the elbow propped on the window. I test drove an EVO, and quick as that steering is (13:1) it was just a more natural steering experience. I adapted to it way too easily. Spent about 45 minutes in it having fun on fun roads. Salesguy just wanted to get some fresh air.
So I am not the least daunted, and I think my expectations are sound.thanks again,
Darryl
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