blongo804 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Hey guys, well all this time I've been planning on going with KYB struts in the spring time with my RalliTek springs. Now I'm reading the springs will greatly reduce the life of OEM/KYB struts. I figure this would be true, but my question is: by how much? I'm not tracking the car nor do I plan to (..I'd like to lol). Koni/Bilsteins are a bit steeper than I planned on spending but it appears they'll be better in every way, especially in the long run. I know there's a few big threads on this stuff but I just want some direct help. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 its not just about the longevity of the OEM strut, its also about ride quality and handling characteristics. the OEM struts are just not designed to operate at lower ride heights or with stiffer spring rates. Doing so will make the car ride and handle worse and also make the shocks not last as long. Some say(im one of them) that the OEM struts are under dampened to begin with for the stock springs. best bet is to go for the Koni's as they are the only option IMO that is properly suited for aftermarket lowering springs. plus they are adjustable for fine tunig ride/handling characteristics, have a nice warrantee, and can be rebuilt/revalved to accomate specific track/autox purposes if you want. no other fixed perch solutions offers all that for the 4th gen legacy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blongo804 Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 Wow now that's quite an explanation. Sounds completely logical to me. I didn't think of the handling and such being affected as well but now I realize. I'll have to go with Koni's then. I love that they're fully adjustable. By the way, is the Koni warrantee available even if they're bought used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 yes, i think. research that. edit: see below. ill take AZP's word for it seeing as they are a vendor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Wow now that's quite an explanation. Sounds completely logical to me. I didn't think of the handling and such being affected as well but now I realize. I'll have to go with Koni's then. I love that they're fully adjustable. By the way, is the Koni warrantee available even if they're bought used? Nope, koni requires the oiginal receipt for replacements a far as i know. -mike http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpghttp://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/141039922.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://upload.pbase.com/image/137566671.jpg 11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts. Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us. AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: paisan@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber "Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Koni warranty is for original buyer. We have paired GR2's and Epics for over 30k now. Still a nice ride. Not track worthy, but sporty and nice. Wife's DD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blongo804 Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 Hmm, interesting ^.. See, I hate to buy Koni's/Bilsteins and not use them to full advantage (tracking). All I really want is sporty with comfort basically since i'm only driving around a bumpy town. I also don't want to cut my stock struts open and ruin them by accident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Konis are superior. Can be set lighter than stock, or much stiffer. Not a big deal to install really, your dad can help. Lol. Planning on upgrading the wifes car this year. Again. First it had Tokico/Swift. Then it had RCE Tarmacs. Then it went back to stock. Then to the GR2's and Epics. Thinking RCE again. Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blongo804 Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 I'm sure he would have a decently easy time installing but he doesn't have as much free time anymore as he used to with the new job he got. I think we'll take a shot with the GR2's and see how they turn out. I'm also trying to save some money to get some parts painted that the previous owner destroyed (hood, rear bumper, trunk) lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 GR2 are basically stock. Just slightly firmer. Labeled Exxcel (sp?) now. Same strut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blongo804 Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 They're not KYB's anymore? I really don't need anything more than stock since I only daily drive so it's all good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 They are still KYB. They just changed the "model" from GR2 to Exxel (SP?) or something like that. Same KYB's, just a new fancy name, lol. KYB makes the OEM strut for Subaru. Their aftermarket offering is 99% the same. Just a hair firmer. But much cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blongo804 Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 Ooooh ok.. That's fancy lol. I wish there was a strut that was like Koni's but direct replacements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Tokico. But they are JDM and require SpecB tophats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blongo804 Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Are they still around? I've done searches through the forum and it seems they are out of the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Yes. Called D-Spec now. I googled it. I know nothing about this site, it is just the first that came up: http://www.mosaicmotorsports.com/subaru-legacy-c-1_78_79_81_103_2408_2975_2978_3030_3227.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blongo804 Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 And there they are. I'm sure it's a great strut. A little pricier than Koni's but direct replacements are a plus. I'll have to consider at least. Someone on the forum mentioned some sort of annual sale Koni has that's 20% off their stuff. Is this true and happening this year?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Not that I know of. The Tokicos can be found for around $600. But, they require SpecB top hats, so that adds to the cost. Like many things in life it is a compromise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blongo804 Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Then the specB top hats will add another $100 lol.. I wish I had unlimited monies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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