Newbie!

[twobit2354]

Well guys, I join you with a 09 2.5i SE(I think its an SE). Sadly I did not do my research about the turbo's etc, but I do not mind it for the time being, there's always room for a nice little project right?

 

My question to you guys is as follows: I have noticed a few LGT's that I LOVE. One has a setup that I desire. 235 - 240 / 40? / 18 tires with something along the lines of the rota grids in 18x9.5. This is my daily driver but in the summer I would like 'er to be lookin her tip top!

 

I'm not sure what suspension companies offer the best setup as there are many that offer setups for our cars. I see BC, ISC, Megan, Ksport, Tein and a lot more I can't name off the top of my head. I've noticed that a few members have to rebuild their shocks or something along those lines, is this common if you are ridin low? Anyone help to clue me in on specifics of suspension like common life expectency(mileage), which are best bang for the buck etc. How low would you recommend? Here are some examples of cars I would like mine to look like, stance wise.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5193644534_6def86cb63_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1287/4701254655_d31ea64944_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5581615934_ee339681f3_z.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/brooklyngenius/Big%20Event%202/39998_153197338029588_114846791864643_475432_6548938_n.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/brooklyngenius/Big%20Event%202/DSC_0118.jpg

I saw this setup was 18x9.5 +38

225/40/18thats why I asked about that. Are 225's a real rough ride?

 

Here is the car that I would like mine to look sort of like in the end result.

SirRiceAlot's 2.5i

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5336181921_59becbc77e_b.jpg

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/75/deleteby.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/5698323116_56df99bbc9_b.jpg

 

I think that's more than enough necessary information for anyone to assist my efforts to get my car to a reasonable place

 

Thank you in advance for your help guys and hopefully this car will last me a long long time!

[fibuz]

Welcome! I don't want to beat a dead horse about the suspension stuff, so I'll just mention that I'm very happy with my BC's.

[twobit2354]

If you have any links, or references to other places that givce the information, please post. I tried a bunch of different searches with no luck....still in process of looking too

[twobit2354]

Posted by S L O W W R X on Nasioc.com "I posted this on WRX Atlanta and Ill post it here as well

Ill prefaces this by saying many of you know that I hate cheap parts in general and cheap suspension parts even more. I've said many times in the past that I would not own a set of Megan, BC...etc...Etc...

 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to drive Doug from Topspeeds 08 STI. Doug’s car is still very basic and very representative of your basic stage II STI.

Specs

08 STI

Cobb AP2

Topspeed Protune

Catted Downpipe

Rear Sway Bar

Enkei RPF1s 285 Yoko Neovas

BC Coilovers

 

The day started with Doug picking me up and driving us driving to Little Talladega Raceway. The trip was uneventful and I didn't even realize there were Coilovers on the car until about half way there when we were talking about the setup. They ride great the only time there is even a hint of jarring etc... is when you go across a bridge. I was pretty shocked to say the least, these ride so much nicer than any Megan setup I've ever driven that it’s unbelievable.

 

Now onto the really good stuff. We got to Tally and Doug went out for the first session so that he could check the tune and make sure that the car felt like normal after all this was my first time driving an 08 and the chassis are pretty different so I didn't know what to expect. Doug turned in some respectable lap times and brought her back nice and safe.

 

I took it out for my first session and the first thing I noticed is how different the car is in general. It’s much softer and more refined, it’s a little harder to get a good feel for and to work the tires, Doug had already told me that the bushings were very soft and I could tell they were there was lots of movement in the rear but no real loss of grip when it did move. It’s almost as if you had to settle the suspension. The Coilovers were very nice, I suspected that they were going to be over damped but they weren't, they were very much spot on. The car did have some slight issues with inside wheel spin and Doug is working on a solution for that, we both think a bigger front bar or more spring rate in the front should keep it from rolling over so hard and lifting that wheel. I ran pretty much the same times as Doug and we were fairly happy with that, we were in the 1:08s. We both thought we would be able to get a very low 1:08 out of it or a high 1:07.

 

Doug took it out again for the next session and dropped his time into the high 1:08s. Car was good but we were still experiencing the inside wheel spin problem and as you got aggressive with it, it just got worse. We both were kind of thinking that, "that was all she’s got". The wheel spin problem wouldn't let us put the power down any earlier and if I can't get on it any earlier then there’s no more point in running.

 

Well Doug twisted some knobs on the Coilovers and sent me out for the final session. Before I went out he mumbled something about it sure is a lot more fun to win...and I guess that flipped the kill switch to engage. I got the tires nice and warm on the warm-up lap then let her eat....let me tell you that car is an absolute ROCK STAR, man it screams. Every lap I turned was faster than my previous laps till I caught the guy they put out 15 seconds in front of me. We ended up winning the event with a time of 1:05.4 and my second fastest lap was a 1:06.01 which also would have won the event.

 

We packed up the car and drove it home on the same street tires and same tune we came with.

 

We were the only car in the finals on street tires.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen there aren't many cars that you can drive everyday that you can take to the track and run those kinds of times, I would love to think that it was all because of my Mad Tight driving skills but I simply cannot take all the credit. The new 08 Sti is a blast to drive its very well balanced and it’s got more room than the old one. I hope this was a helpful review for those of you considering a 08\a Topspeed tune\or a set of BC Coilovers.

 

Matt"

 

Amazing write up.