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Koni/Epic or Bilstein HD/Epic?


c123money

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Just give me a set up where hitting a bump or hole doesn't feel like I got hit by an RPG in one of my tires and I am happy. No clinks, clanks, extra knobs or tools. I just want the set up and bing bang boom, happy N/A driver cruising the streets and hitting corners with authority. So far Koni's sound good, springs are were we get into holly f#ck there's a lot of options here.
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Aren't the Epics the same spring as the Eibachs? Different mfgr designing to match the discontinued Eibach's was my understanding.

 

So far so go with the Koni Epic combo, fronts and backs turned up 3/4 turn from full soft. Rears are a bitch to adjust though..

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When I got my Koni's last year I was annoyed with how not-user-friendly they were to adjust in the rear (I have a wagon, not sure how bad the sedans are). It is too time consuming. I changed mine a lot as I dialed them in initially. I still change mine here and there depending on how full the wagon is, so I wanted something to help with the adjustment. I found these:

 

http://www.rogueengineering.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=KONI_ADJ&Category_Code=Coils

 

They are a little pricey, but they work like a charm and have saved a fair amount time and anger. I also enjoy the precision they offer. I had a hard time ensuring the supplied Koni knobs were positioned as I intended with the lack of space. If anyone decides to get these, I would recommend that you make the hole in the trim about 3 times larger than the diameter of the rod. Otherwise they will pop off of the adjuster tab as the suspension goes through its' range of motion; I think the tab moves a little. For the wagon, they are the perfect length and require no trimming. One word of warning is if you are running spacers, you will have a hard time tightening the set screw that attaches them to the adjuster. I ended up taking a sharp hacksaw to shorten an Allen wrench. This allowed it to fit in the area when I was running spacers. No spacers, no problems.

 

Just wanted to put this out there as I have liked them. Probably very easy for someone to duplicate who has the right tools or connections.

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MDD, were you able to lock these down, or is the weight enough to hold them in place? The shop that put my Konis in made a similar tool for me, but only one. A second would cost me $50 for them to fabricate, these might be worth the extra $ to have two in place at all times.

 

Last time I adjusted the backs it took me close to 8 minutes to engage the second strut, kind of a disincentive to tweak them often.

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MDD, were you able to lock these down, or is the weight enough to hold them in place? The shop that put my Konis in made a similar tool for me, but only one. A second would cost me $50 for them to fabricate, these might be worth the extra $ to have two in place at all times.

 

Last time I adjusted the backs it took me close to 8 minutes to engage the second strut, kind of a disincentive to tweak them often.

 

Guess I should have read your post more thoroughly, looks like you answered it already.:eek:

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I've been trying to make a decision for 2 months. As far as my car being lowered epic springs give me exactly what I'm looking for. Install of the Koni's look like a pain in the arse and may cost more (in labor) and take longer for a shop to do. I've seen a lot of comments on the Koni/Epic combo but what about the Bilstein/Epic combo? Anyone have or been in a car with this set up?

 

 

Keep in mind I have a 2.5i and do 90% city driving in the Boston area dodging bombed out roads all day. Only suspension mods I've had so far are a whiteline rear sway and end links. Appreciate any feedback

 

 

Subscribed.:munch: I have a 2009 n/a and saw your post from a few months ago about improving ride quality and whatnot, and after doing some research myself I've narrowed it down to koni's/blisteins for struts and most likely epics for springs being that I've seen a few members have confined epics just being rebranded eibachs (after seeing that eibach only makes springs for 2010+ models I understand your "back to square one" frustration) still not 100% on any decision yet though as most of my money is going to tuition :(

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Subscribed.:munch: I have a 2009 n/a and saw your post from a few months ago about improving ride quality and whatnot, and after doing some research myself I've narrowed it down to koni's/blisteins for struts and most likely epics for springs being that I've seen a few members have confined epics just being rebranded eibachs (after seeing that eibach only makes springs for 2010+ models I understand your "back to square one" frustration) still not 100% on any decision yet though as most of my money is going to tuition :(

 

Your car still running well? If so, I suggest saving your money for maintenance and then upgrade to the GT after you graduate and get your career started.

 

My $.02 as a fellow student with a modded 2.5i

2006 SWP 3.0R 5EAT VDC BBQ

 

2008 OBP 2.5i 4EAT BBQ [RIP]

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Compared to stock how would you say it penalizes the ride? Just curious as I've heard that from a few others, if its bad would it be better just to keep the OEM springs with the Koni's?

 

Just with the new rear sway 20mm, endlinks, and front strut bar (mostly aesthetic) the car handles like a new car in corners and switching lanes quickly curious to see how much more it will tighten up with the strut/spring mod.

 

I'm not experienced enough to truly separate the effects of springs vs struts. I do think there's a minor penalty in ride quality, especially on big hits, but its a trade-off I was willing to try out. I think the ride flattens out a lot with the springs, if you really have a lot of windy roads in your daily driving, I don't think you'll regret the springs.

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H&R are stiffer but not as much drop as the Epics. I would go for the H&R for performance and Epic for comfort. Let us know if we can provide either set for you and/or install.

 

-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!"

Mike, what do you guys charge for the Koni/Epic install?

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Mike, what do you guys charge for the Koni/Epic install?

 

We charge $295 and $100 for an alignment (if you want an alignment).

 

http://azpinstalls.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=74

 

-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!"

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Crazy question but has anyone ever run Bilstein HD's with stock springs? I'm looking for minimal maintenance once I put on new struts. Just curious if that would even be worth it for an option or if its just a waste of money. I'm really not worried about the ride height as much as the overall ride.
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Crazy question but has anyone ever run Bilstein HD's with stock springs? I'm looking for minimal maintenance once I put on new struts. Just curious if that would even be worth it for an option or if its just a waste of money. I'm really not worried about the ride height as much as the overall ride.

 

I liked by stock w/konis. I ran stockers with bilsteins on my wagon, they were pretty good as well, just a bit harsher than the konis.

 

-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: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

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When I got my Koni's last year I was annoyed with how not-user-friendly they were to adjust in the rear (I have a wagon, not sure how bad the sedans are). It is too time consuming. I changed mine a lot as I dialed them in initially. I still change mine here and there depending on how full the wagon is, so I wanted something to help with the adjustment. I found these:

 

http://www.rogueengineering.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=KONI_ADJ&Category_Code=Coils

 

They are a little pricey, but they work like a charm and have saved a fair amount time and anger. I also enjoy the precision they offer. I had a hard time ensuring the supplied Koni knobs were positioned as I intended with the lack of space. If anyone decides to get these, I would recommend that you make the hole in the trim about 3 times larger than the diameter of the rod. Otherwise they will pop off of the adjuster tab as the suspension goes through its' range of motion; I think the tab moves a little. For the wagon, they are the perfect length and require no trimming. One word of warning is if you are running spacers, you will have a hard time tightening the set screw that attaches them to the adjuster. I ended up taking a sharp hacksaw to shorten an Allen wrench. This allowed it to fit in the area when I was running spacers. No spacers, no problems.

 

Just wanted to put this out there as I have liked them. Probably very easy for someone to duplicate who has the right tools or connections.

 

 

Still not sure what you did with these. Any help in explaining further how you installed the rogue engineering adjusters?

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Still not sure what you did with these. Any help in explaining further how you installed the rogue engineering adjusters?

 

Within the next month or so I will be doing a stereo install in the wagon. At that time I'll do a proper write up (in a new thread) on the installation of these as pictures will be easier to take then. If anyone needs further info between now and then, PM me and I'll do my best to help.

 

Regards,

Matt

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Anyone know the part number for pinks for my 09 to complete the Bilstein/Pink combo? If the epics weren't an issue and I could find eibachs I would do the koni/eibach but this is like trying to a diamond in the ocean. Appreciate any help on finding the right pinks.
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Anyone know the part number for pinks for my 09 to complete the Bilstein/Pink combo? If the epics weren't an issue and I could find eibachs I would do the koni/eibach but this is like trying to a diamond in the ocean. Appreciate any help on finding the right pinks.

 

The pinks will be way too stiff for your needs imo.

 

-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: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.2971 | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

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