rao Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 First off, I generally like my Legacy quite a bit. It has tons of midrange power, is subtle and decently sized. It is not stock under the hood, but the suspension is bone stock except for Pirelli P-Nero Nero all season tires and the JDM sway bar. When I drive it by myself a lot, but whenever I have passengers I like it a lot less. Here is the problem - the suspension is just too damn bouncy. It seems oversprung to me. Now I know all you real racers out there will cringe at that and complain that your 2" dropped coilovers are still to soft, but for the real world driving the car is just too bouncy. My family has flat out refused to use the car for any long trips, much preferring our Honda Odyssey minivan and I really can't blame them. My RX-7 will (literally) run circles around the Legacy, but its ride isn't narly as harsh, which is saying something. I haven't seen anyone that offers softer springs. Any ideas? Ironically I didn't get an STi because I wanted a more comfortable car, but at least wtih an STi I could haves wapped in stock WRX springs and shocks. If I can't sort this out, the car might have to disappear Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisngrod Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 same boat here... If it doesn't work out I'm just buying an FJ and going offroad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
froggert Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 i don't think it's so much oversprung as it is underdamped. what about a set of bilsteins off a jdm legacy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted July 30, 2006 Author Share Posted July 30, 2006 i don't think it's so much oversprung as it is underdamped. what about a set of bilsteins off a jdm legacy? Maybe I have it backwards and it is under damped. You know I suggested that combination to someone and it seemed like it might work out well. That was in the contect of someone wanting better handling but not a stiffer ride. Has anybody tried this? It would certainly be easy to make the swap. Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opie Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 I think underdamped is the more likely cause... I would try a set of Bilsteins (Spec-B or 2.0GT) with the stock springs. It should eliminate the bouncyness you are complaining of. ...or you could try the Tokico adjustables....and pick the amount of dampening you like... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Th3Franz Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I swapped JDM GT Bilsteins and pinks on my car.. It's not as bouncy anymore and the suspension is much more controlled. I give STi's a hard time now. If you ran the JDM Bilsteins with stock springs you might like that better. -Franz The end of a Legacy http://www.youtube.com/th3franz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 I like the Tokicos - I've used thier shocks before and been very happy with them. Now I just need to find some and buy them Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaptan Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 JDsPerformance.com $588.15 Part number is Tokico HTS006 Place said it should take 5-7 days for shipping. I think this is the place with the best price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGT Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 those who have ridden in my car and driven it have commented about the smooth, controlled ride. Currently using KYB's and STi pinks, but I got the same comments on a full JDM Spec B set (Rev. A springs, which are a bit much for my tastes). I'd vote for a std. JDM GT set of Bilsteins for a good compromise Rob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fweasel Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 i don't think it's so much oversprung as it is underdamped. what about a set of bilsteins off a jdm legacy? Agreed. I always thought the stock suspension bounced a little too much on the highway over big dips and now with stiffer springs, its significantly more pronounced. Waiting for a review from a local, but the Tokicos will most likely be my next mod. ignore him, he'll go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j255c Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 i just put in h-techs. Ride height is almost the same, ride is stiffer but not nearly harsh in any way and the bounciness is virtually gone. $200 FTW 06 TB EVO IX SE stock turbo monster subaru hater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTCanada Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I have a 5 and a 3 year old. 90% of the time I am commuting and the rest are family trips. Here has been my suspension experience. - stock struts / springs...too much float and bounce especially when loaded with passengers. - stock struts / STi springs...too harsh and "crashy" on any medium + road imperfections. - KSport coilovers...not bad but a bit too fiddly for me. I will be selling them shortly as they have been sitting in the garage for a few months. - JDM GT struts / STi springs...much better damping (as expected) and suspension doesn't collapse into potholes which is a plus. But, the ride is still a bit too stiff for long family trips and can cause fatigue. The kids don't care one way or the other but my wife would prefer some more comfort. She doesn't complain but I can tell by the way her head bounces off the headrest . - JDM GT struts / springs...soon. I suspect that this will be the best overall compromise. I will also add a JDM rear sway bar. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 How many miles does your car have? When I first put the iON springs on the car, the ride was much better than stock, although still underdamped. Now, 20k later, the stock struts are obviously going south, and the ride has become very "bouncy", i.e., seriously underdamped as you described. Your stock struts are probably done. I would try something adjustable like the Tokicos (I have a set on order, and will report when I get them installed). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmorris Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I've been very happy with my Ion's on stock struts but I hope to give the Tokico's a try in the spring if the reviews are good (and they keep making them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rc0032 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 I have a 5 and a 3 year old. 90% of the time I am commuting and the rest are family trips. Here has been my suspension experience. - stock struts / springs...too much float and bounce especially when loaded with passengers. - stock struts / STi springs...too harsh and "crashy" on any medium + road imperfections. - KSport coilovers...not bad but a bit too fiddly for me. I will be selling them shortly as they have been sitting in the garage for a few months. - JDM GT struts / STi springs...much better damping (as expected) and suspension doesn't collapse into potholes which is a plus. But, the ride is still a bit too stiff for long family trips and can cause fatigue. The kids don't care one way or the other but my wife would prefer some more comfort. She doesn't complain but I can tell by the way her head bounces off the headrest . - JDM GT struts / springs...soon. I suspect that this will be the best overall compromise. I will also add a JDM rear sway bar. Tom Thanks for the information; that is very helpful. My car has just over 16k miles on it. I retract my retraction above oversprung and underdamped are 2 sides of the same coin. Since there is no hope of softer springs, more damping seems like the way to go. Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSiWRX Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Agreed. I always thought the stock suspension bounced a little too much on the highway over big dips and now with stiffer springs, its significantly more pronounced. Waiting for a review from a local, but the Tokicos will most likely be my next mod. +1 - I'm on iONs now, and this is my feeling, precisely. <-- I love Winky, my "periwinkle" (ABP) LGT! - Allen / Usual Suspect "DumboRAT" / One of the Three Stooges '16 Outback, '16 WRX, 7th Subaru Family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxerGT2.5 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Did you dig my car or was it too harsh? Are you sure it's the suspension and not your right foot gettin happy with the mid range torque. OBAMA......One Big Ass Mistake America! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTCanada Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Update...put the stock JDM GT struts / springs on replacing JDM struts + Pinks. I only have a couple of days of driving on them but, so far, of the various suspensions set ups I have had, the stock JDM GT set up is the best performance / comfort compromise. Actually, on rough roads, I can carry more corner speed than with the struts + Pinks due to greater compliance. The JDM GT struts + pinks comb was just a bit too "busy" over smaller road imperfections. I will add either a JDM rear bar or front and rear Cuscos. Thanks for the information; that is very helpful. My car has just over 16k miles on it. I retract my retraction above oversprung and underdamped are 2 sides of the same coin. Since there is no hope of softer springs, more damping seems like the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutter2k Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Shocks just aren't up to expectations. KW coilovers are my answer. They work and can give a comfortable ride. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boostjunkie Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Shocks just aren't up to expectations. KW coilovers are my answer. They work and can give a comfortable ride. Matt The KW's are sweet and I might know a guy, who knows a guy who sells them for the best price out there . However, if the OP thinks that the stock suspension is not plush enough, I can't see how they would be a good choice for him. The KW's are well controlled, handle great and ride well, but are not as plush as the stock suspension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deer Killer Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 eh.. *wow* I think the car is undersprung and overdamped. Did you blow out a shock or two? bounce = underdamped.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I have a 5 and a 3 year old. 90% of the time I am commuting and the rest are family trips. Here has been my suspension experience. - stock struts / springs...too much float and bounce especially when loaded with passengers. - stock struts / STi springs...too harsh and "crashy" on any medium + road imperfections. - KSport coilovers...not bad but a bit too fiddly for me. I will be selling them shortly as they have been sitting in the garage for a few months. - JDM GT struts / STi springs...much better damping (as expected) and suspension doesn't collapse into potholes which is a plus. But, the ride is still a bit too stiff for long family trips and can cause fatigue. The kids don't care one way or the other but my wife would prefer some more comfort. She doesn't complain but I can tell by the way her head bounces off the headrest . - JDM GT struts / springs...soon. I suspect that this will be the best overall compromise. I will also add a JDM rear sway bar. Tom Hey, do you happen to have any pics of your wagon with JDM GTs with Pinks? I just put JDM GTs with JDM springs, and while it's a great imporvement over stock (floatiness and oscillation gone!), there is still too much body roll (and I have JDM GT rsb). I read people had problems with Bilstein and pinks on wagons sitting too low in the rear, especially if car was loaded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndas Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGT Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I'm going to be reworking my setup (again ) since it does sit too low in the rear. Over some backroads this weekend, the rear was hitting the bumpstops when pushing it over rough pavement. The car was empty but for the driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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