Might be putting coilovers on the STi

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/15/2020 at 21:36 • Filed to: None

Last week I placed an order for a set of Feal rebuilt/revalved OEM struts for the STi. Well I learned today that they dont actually still offer this service. Awesome that the website for this still is up and allows you to order it though! So the original price for this was about $600 plus a $350 core charge. When I would bring in my old blown struts, I would get that $350 back. That made this a pretty damn good deal for an OEM+ replacement. But now instead they only offer the same package as brand new struts with no core charge option for $1070. So thats an extra $470 for essentially nothing!

My only option now is to go coilovers I guess. I am going to end up paying more than that but at least I get something valuable for my money instead. I do not want the car any lower and I want a street compliant ride. So now the search begins!

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Right now I am looking at the Feal 441 Coilover set since I like the brand still and ive seen some good long term reviews on Nasioc. Those come in at $1350 from SNC Tuning which I can visit and pick up locally in LA. But I need to do more research and look at more options. Any Subie oppos out there have opinions on STi coilover options? Looking for all suggestions under $2k!

And no, I do not want to end up #SLAMMED #JDMFRESH #STANCENATION like this:

Just want a sensible tasteful replacement of my OEM blown struts. Also definitely want to consider finding some quality struts and springs (if not just use the oem springs). But that will require some legwork to match things up properly.

DISCUSSION (17)

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/15/2020 at 21:48

Whats the rebuild interval on those feals?

GolfR Guy > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/15/2020 at 21:54

I used to have BC racing coilovers on my wrx wagon. I was happy with them, but I didn’t track the car or anything.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/15/2020 at 22:01

Im not sure, but I do like that Feal is local enough and reputable enough to do the rebuilds without a problem. I believe they do $70 per corner rebuilds for the original owner . But yeah it would be a problem if I have to do that every year or two!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > GolfR Guy
09/15/2020 at 22:02

That was definitely my other front runner choice. Just because its a bit cheaper and BC is known for being not Tein lol.

DasWauto > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/15/2020 at 22:05

I’d probably go for a set of Racecomp engineering black springs on Bilstein dampers for your car. If you want the height adjustability of coilovers, maybe give these a try: https://www.racecompengineering.com/subaru/04-07-impreza-wrx-sti/racecomp-engineering-tarmac-0-coilovers-for-2005-07-sti.html (they’re made by KW), or these: https://www.racecompengineering.com/subaru/04-07-impreza-wrx-sti/05-07-sti-superstreet-1.html

Alternatively, RCE is working on rally coilovers that are set to come out pretty soon. I’m not sure if they’re coming for previous gen chassis but I’m almost certainly ordering a set for my WRX if I don’t end up trading it in.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/15/2020 at 22:06

Yeah, I know Feal is reputable but I do not like the hassle of getting coilovers rebuilt every year or two on my daily.

Thats why I was fine with putting coilovers on my Vette but will most likel y go Koni Yellows with springs for the Mini next year even though it’ll cost the same as Feals....

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > DasWauto
09/15/2020 at 22:09

Yeah from some research coilovers seem easier. But I think since my goal is not ride height nor track use, I should probably do the dampers/springs route. I know how happy I am with coilovers on the Miata but stock Miata suspension is complete trash. The STi setup stock is really what I want and if I wanted actual performance improvement, sway bars and tires would do way way more anyways.

The problem for me is finding the right set of struts for that. Coilovers are EVERYWHERE on the web but struts are elusive.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/15/2020 at 22:18

Ive had my miata coilovers from FM for about 60,000 miles over about 4 years and had no issues thus far. Even made the swap from one car to another. I thought they were blown but it turns out they were just so caked with salt and road grime and the bumpstops were crushed to death. When I cleaned them up during the install in the new miata, they were better than ever.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/15/2020 at 22:27

Hmm interesting...I will have to research further...

CB > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/15/2020 at 23:09

Rally suspension time?

Beefchips > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/15/2020 at 23:09

How does a person shop for suspension? I have been considering raising my WRX an inch or two and putting smaller wheels with bigger tires... but I have no idea how to try before I buy. I don’t want to throw 1-2k down the crapper cause I installed the stuff and then decided I didn’t like the ride.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Beefchips
09/15/2020 at 23:47

Well that's always the challenge. There really is no try before you buy. It's just research and pull the trigger on something. Thankfully there's lots of subaru forum posts about this sort of thing. But it's also a big pile of misinformation as well. In the end the most important thing is to not cheap out on stuff that will break or not have any hope of fulfilling what you set out to do. I know I'd be happy with coil overs, I'm not opposed to a stiff ride. But it's hard to pick the right ones.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CB
09/15/2020 at 23:47

While I occasionally drive on dirt roads it's so infrequent that it would be a bit wasteful to do that lol.

CB > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/15/2020 at 23:51

But rally setup gives you an excuse for more dirt roads and camping adventures!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CB
09/16/2020 at 00:38

Kinja'd!!!

mhr555 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/16/2020 at 06:55

Personally, I’d go for a Bilstein B8 damper/RCE “ regular guy” spring combo. I thought RCE offered reworked Bilstein dampers for the GD ImpreTza but I didn’t see them on their site. I should have gone with that kind of combo over my RCE Trophy Cup Coils.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > mhr555
09/16/2020 at 10:25

They do offer them for the newer STi which is why it's a good combo. I'm just worried about piece mealing the things from various vendors since I have yet to find a good strut only option available anywhere.