Springs question

[Chillin]

I've decided that my first mod I wanna do is go for springs. Mostly cause I love driving my car and how it feels and well wouldn't mind making that better. I only have so much $ so it seems they would be a good idea. I think I wanna go with these http://www.oakos.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PRDSPR


I am wondering if there is other things you HAVE to get before you can install these or if they will go on fine and work just fine by themselves? Thanks for the knowledge.

[Murphy2012]

Prodrives are great. Nice drop, decent rates. They were specifically made to handle the car and do a good job at it. I think you will be very impressed with the prodrives on the car.

[kgj996]

If you want to get the biggest bang for your buck, but don't want to ruin your ride, I would go with a rear sway bar first. This will make a big difference in handling, but you won't get a harsher ride. My first upgrade was a 22mm Perrin rear sway and a set of kartboy endlinks, and it made a huge difference. Also, if you are going to replace springs, you might as well do the struts at the same time, since you have them out already at that point. Plus you will need an alignment after the springs are installed. The sway is a lot easier of an install.

[Chillin]

I wish I had the money to spend on springs and struts at the same time. But they both seem to be the same price and that for me would be well more than my wallet can hold. I will look into sway bars and such though. Thanks for the idea. And part of the reason I wanted to go with springs with for a little bit lower too. But yea, i'll do some looking around =).

[2mprzya]

murphy helped me install my prodrives and i love them. the ride is amazing, and the height is perfect.

[Chillin]

Is this package a good deal?

http://www.oakos.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=355&Product_Code=PSP-SUS-203&Category_Code=801

[Murphy2012]

Personally, I wouldnt get anything Perrin when it comes to Sways. Thats what I have on my car, and they are horrible. They dont fit well and knock on my endlinks. I would go with Whiteline, but thats my two cents.

I understand what Kevin is saying about the struts, but there is no immediate need to replace them. It is the easiest time to do it, seeing as you have them out already, but it isn't something you DEFINETLY need to do when changing springs. Your car would probably like you better if you got struts, I am sure there are some miles on them now. But again, not a necessity if you are trying to save some loot. Not sure if 06 WRX struts fit you car, but if they do, I will sell you mine cheap!

Edit.... Another idea I just had was a Stock WRX sway. I think it is 2-4 mm bigger than yours, which will make a huge difference. RobK put one in his and he said it helped a lot. I can sell you my stock sway and mounts for like 20 bucks if you want.

[Chillin]

Meh, i'm feeling stubborn for some reason and I just wanna get the springs. One question, am I gonna have to worry about my tires rubbing for any reason? I have the stock wheels nothing special going on. And is it best to have someone else do it or is this a newbie friendly installation? I was told that front springs can be hard/dangerous?

[kgj996]

Thats the same one I have except mine is 22mm. 25mm is very stiff, and it may make the ass end get loose in hard corners without warning. It's a good deal though.
If you are set on springs, I bought a set of Tanabe gf210s about 5 months ago and I love them. They play nicely with stock struts and don't bounce you around. They have a nice drop too, and don't cost as much as the Prodrives.

[Murphy2012]

Ya, 25 mm might be a little overboard for your car at the current moment. Like I said, even a cheap WRX stock bar will improve the handling a lot. I think the rear sway is probably the first upgrade one should do to a Suby. I wouldnt worry about rubbing at all either unless you have larger or wider wheels than stock.

[kgj996]

The spring install isn't bad. It's easiest with a friend to help hold the struts for you while taking them on and off the car. The only special tool you need is a spring compressor to take the stock springs off and install the new ones. I did mine in a few hours with an extra pair of hands.

[Murphy2012]

^^^^ +100

Not that hard. We could do it if you want. I got three lifts and a spring compressor, but youll have to drive to laconia. I am sure if it is closer Kevin would help too, he does good work!

[kgj996]

^^^^ +100

Not that hard. We could do it if you want. I got three lifts and a spring compressor, but youll have to drive to laconia. I am sure if it is closer Kevin would help too, he does good work!

Thanks Murph, I'm actually doing an install day next weekend in Dover/Rochester area. We are doing turbos and injectors and some tuning. We always have more room and hands to help out. If you don't have the parts by then we can do it some other time.

[Chillin]

Okay, so I went back and read a few more F&Q and looked around a little more. I decided to do the rear sway bar. It would probably be better for me to start slow on mods first to get used to and learn the changes in my car. Plus, it seems it really is just as expensive if not cheaper than the springs. My only question is what makes one sway bar better than another, and how can I tell if i'm paying too much for end links and the bar? ANd I drive an RS stock, so what would be a good size for the bar to go with? I've seen like 21 22 24 and 25 Ithink and I Was thinking 22mm

[kgj996]

I believe that stock bar size is something really small like 16 or 17mm thick, so anything above 20-21mm will make a noticeable difference. Beyond that, it is all personal preference. The bigger you go, the flatter it will turn, but 25mm bars will be very stiff for a dd if you go over a lot of pot holes or bumps daily. Also, you don't need to get end links right away. You will spend about $100 for the end links and about $175-$225 for the bar kit. Don't just buy the bar unless it comes with at least new bushings, because the stock bushings wont fit larger bars. Kits with the mounts and bushings are best. Bigger bars will put a lot more stress on the mounts, and the stock mounts will twist and break under high loads.