Lowering Springs

[david_12121]

I just installed some Enkei 18X8.5's with 225's for now, which has very close outer diameter compared to stock. A little lighter though.
So it's all good except that the wheel gap is very noticeable, especially with the low profile tire.
I really want some coilovers but all my money is going into a V8 RX7 project I have. (For those who remember my plan to put an LS1 in the SVX, I decided to first do one to an RX7 and do the SVX next year)
I've been looking to find some for the SVX but failed, so is there any other car's that is compatible or do I need to get one custom made?
What I want out of it is about 2" lower in the back and about 3" on the front, but anywhere close to those will be fine. I also need it to be very stiff as I don't really care much for comfort as I haven't been spoiled with it over the past.
Thank you guys in advance.

[Chuckls]

v8 swap has already been done ;)

[david_12121]

I know...He had a carbed one though, and he's either done or in the process of swaping that for a whatever's-in-the-300zx.
Someone else was doing a full corvette swap with the transaxle and everything but pretty sure it'll take him a while.
Regardless, how can I go lower? For cheap...
Edit: Lower AND STIFFER

[INVADR]

AMR and Ceika are two options. $1500 and $800, respectively. There's Aragosta, too, but they're about $3500.

Some folks have retrofit coilovers from 05-07 STi onto our cars. Takes some work, but isn't horribly difficult.

Search the boards. The information is not hard to find.

[Coan]

Here's a good thread (http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=61928) on the 05-07 STI coilovers. This opens up a lot of options as there are many aftermarket coilovers made for STIs.

[stiguy]

Don't cut them I tried that few weeks ago. It looked good but creaked and pulled to the left a lot due to the cut springs. What I'm going to do it is buy spring clamps then weld the coil together that is touching. It will lower it 1.5-2"

[B 4 You]

If you want cheap, low, and stiff, go buy raceland's 05-07 STi coils. 450lbs/in front and 280lbs/in rear. From what you've told us, you're more than capable of doing it yourself :) $500 and some elbow grease. Go read my thread and let me know if you need any help :)

[david_12121]

I already knew about the STI ones, did my research. Even found some used ones, one being Stance branded, for 600 but I prefer to go the lowering spring route first. $2-300 and the same result for my intended function.
I don't really drive it hard enough to need the adjustable dampening nor the preload and all of that. I don't really drive the SVX hard enough...that's my RX7's job with its awesome Megan Coils.
Just need a bit low and as stiff as possible.

So I guess that's a no on other compatible cars? Anyone know of a place that custom make them?

Regadring the cutting, no, never. It'll be lower but so soft it will rub constantly.

[B 4 You]

The only lowering springs (that I know of existing) are Dayles at Planetsvx.com, but they have a very similar spring rate to stock, so you won't be getting a stiff ride.

[david_12121]

The only lowering springs (that I know of existing) are Dayles at Planetsvx.com, but they have a very similar spring rate to stock, so you won't be getting a stiff ride.

Thanks. Then I might do the coilovers you recommended. Or some other, depending on what I find for cheap.

Also, can I ask how much camber you're getting? How much lower? Have camber plates?

[B 4 You]

I think Racelands are the cheapest you'll find new, but I'd definitely check your local forums and see if there are any used coils around. As far as camber, the racelands have plates in the front but solid mounts in the rear. The fronts are at 0 degrees, and the back are at 0 degrees. The front is probably 3" lower, and the rear is probably 1.5-2" lower. You will need camber bolts to the your wheels in spec if you plan on raising it any higher than mine. The only reason my camber is in check is because of how low it is, but you already said you want it low so that shouldn't be an issue. I also had no problems getting the car 100% aligned into spec :)

[david_12121]

That's amazing, man. An no rubbing? I have 8.5's and although I'm trying to run 245/35/18, I might have to run 245/40/18. The 35 will be slightly smaller than yours and stock but the 40 would be quite large at 25.7 compared to the 24.8 stock , so I might have to be higher than you. It all depends.
I'll definitely check that out.

[Tapani]

The only lowering springs (that I know of existing) are Dayles at Planetsvx.com, but they have a very similar spring rate to stock, so you won't be getting a stiff ride.

I think the springs from Dayle have app 50% more spring rate (than stock). I installed a set this summer and they made a huge difference compared to stock. Personally I would not go any stiffer in a daily driver - but of course this a personal matter :D. So far I've only been to a track day once, but the difference is very noticeable - it doesn't feel quite the barge it used to :eek:. Nice to see how they behave when the snow comes...... softer is usually better on ice tracks.

I run 245/45-17 summer tires on STi wheels and 215/60-16 winter tires (studded Nokian Hakka 7) on stock wheels. So far no rubs with either.

/T

[B 4 You]

I have no rubbing at al while driving. I just raised the left front side a third of an inch due to rubbing in steep driveways, but other than that, nope! And I'm running just stock 225/45/17 on STi wheels, but I'm pretty sure you could easily get 245's in there. It all depends on your wheel offset. And, if you add a bit of camber, you can get a lot more aggressive. I just wanted it close to stock for every day driving. I don't like buying tires. :p Also, a stiffer spring rate will give you less travel, meaning less rubbing. If I was this low on stock suspension... it would be a nightmare.

Also, in my previous post I meant to say that you will need bolts for the rear if it will be higher than mine. The fronts won't need bolts if you have plates, but even then I have them set to 0 on mine.

[david_12121]

Just took a look at the lowering springs on planetsvx...they don't have enough low for me. Not only that, but the price is so high for what you get. I prefer to pay a bit more and just get the coilovers.
Regarding my offset, they're +35, but I'll be running around +20 of spacing on the front and maybe +30 on the back. Might have to roll the fenders and remove some of the plastic covers underneath.
And for harshness, I often drive an extremely lowered Lexus (the most preload possible), a lowered and almost no travel RX7, and a supersport motorcycle for my daily driver. I fortunately/unfortunately am not spoiled with the gift of comfort so I'll be okay.
This is what happens when you become best friends with a "hella flush" person...you start to become like them!!!
Thanks guys...Y'all have been very helpful :)

[B 4 You]

Well I will say that even though it's very stiff, it's still super comfy. I drove 2600 miles across the country in 4 days and I was just as comfortable as when it was stock! You will most likely need to roll and possibly pull your fenders, but I think you'd be set with the fender liners still there.

[david_12121]

Update:

Got some 05 STI struts with tein lowering springs, as I thought it was definitely an improvement, plus I got them for $150.
For some reason, the round part on top of the front struts would not fit the SVX one, so I decided to try putting the springs on the SVX struts. The front ones fit PERFECTLY.
The problem was that they were 2" drop for the STI and since we have more weight on the front, it dropped down to the bump stops. I'm not joking, it was literally on the bump stops.
I bought a spring spacing rubber piece from pepboys, put it on, and it lifted it close to an inch, and that is my travel.
The stiffness is much better and I don't bottom out too often. It rolls much less as well.
As far as the rears go, I put the springs from the same set onto my stock struts, but because they were shorter, yet much stiffer, I have the exact same height and stiffness...exactly the same as before. Also they do not fit perfectly on the back. I just made it stay to see how they work and how low it gets.

So overall, it was a failure, but it does the job for now, until I can get some coilovers. But I can tell you that STI front lowering springs fit. I believe if you get stock height for the STI, with 250lb/in ratio, it'll have a decent height and stiffness.

[Coan]

Update:

Got some 05 STI struts with tein lowering springs, as I thought it was definitely an improvement, plus I got them for $150.
For some reason, the round part on top of the front struts would not fit the SVX one, so I decided to try putting the springs on the SVX struts. The front ones fit PERFECTLY.
The problem was that they were 2" drop for the STI and since we have more weight on the front, it dropped down to the bump stops. I'm not joking, it was literally on the bump stops.
I bought a spring spacing rubber piece from pepboys, put it on, and it lifted it close to an inch, and that is my travel.
The stiffness is much better and I don't bottom out too often. It rolls much less as well.
As far as the rears go, I put the springs from the same set onto my stock struts, but because they were shorter, yet much stiffer, I have the exact same height and stiffness...exactly the same as before. Also they do not fit perfectly on the back. I just made it stay to see how they work and how low it gets.

So overall, it was a failure, but it does the job for now, until I can get some coilovers. But I can tell you that STI front lowering springs fit. I believe if you get stock height for the STI, with 250lb/in ratio, it'll have a decent height and stiffness.

How far off is the fitment for the rears? Was it the strut perch or the top mount (or both) that had the fitment issues?

I have a set of stock '03 WRX springs in my garage. The spring rates are very similar to the SVX springs, and may actually be a good fit if the rears aren't too far off. I think these should be about 3" higher than the Tein springs you have, which might be perfect to drop the SVX a little from stock...

[david_12121]

How far off is the fitment for the rears? Was it the strut perch or the top mount (or both) that had the fitment issues?

I have a set of stock '03 WRX springs in my garage. The spring rates are very similar to the SVX springs, and may actually be a good fit if the rears aren't too far off. I think these should be about 3" higher than the Tein springs you have, which might be perfect to drop the SVX a little from stock...

The perch fit nicely, for the top mount, I used the SVX one because the whole spring was spaced out towards the bottom for some reason, and if I used the sti top it would have sat 2" higher.
The fitment is not awful, it needs 1" of spacing on one side but I've had it on the car for a month now and it has not moved. I've had some hard cornering in that time as well.
The teins I have were close to 5" shorter on the back but because of the higher rate, they sat higher. If you know the spring constant, I would actually be able to calculate the drop. I have a large sub in the back, and I'll be relocating the battery soon for the additional weight in the back.
As of now, both the front and the back are tucking, but since the rear fender is flat on the bottom, I'm raking quite hard :D If wanna balance it out, my rim will be flush with my fender!

By the way I just purchased four 255/35/18's. A bit larger than stock (edit: I mean outer diameter) but I don't think it'll be that bad. I'll be struggling to make them fit. Will that be the largest tire anyone runs on the SVX?

['E']

No not the largest I'm running 275/30 on 19x8.5

[david_12121]

No not the largest I'm running 275/30 on 19x8.5

You're Australian...you guys are too awesome for us :D
How much does it rub? How low are you? Can you post/send me a couple of pictures?

When I was on the bumps I would rub with the slightest bit of turning, even though I was stretching 225's on my 8.5". It still rubs at turns but way less. Not sure how it'll be with the 255's.

[SVXRide]

OT's FP-class SVX RaceCar is now running 17x9 Mustang rims with Hoosier 295 A6 tires.

My FP-class SVX RacerX will be running 17x10 Mustang rims with Hoosier and Kumho 315s this coming season.

Significant body mods are required in both cases. My 17x10 rims have +20 offset, so they do have some "dish".

Bill

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photopost/data/643/medium/17x10.jpg

[david_12121]

I believe at that point the traction gain is not worth the unsprung mass and the rotational inertia...but you guys actually race them and definitely know better.

I might go up to 285's after I get coils. We'll see.

[Tireiron]

I'm running 265/35/18 on 18x9.5 with coilovers with about a 1/2 inch drop (these cars already sit on the ground, I don't know how it would even be driveable lowered)

[david_12121]

I'm running 265/35/18 on 18x9.5 with coilovers with about a 1/2 inch drop (these cars already sit on the ground, I don't know how it would even be driveable lowered)

They are quite high if you ask me, and more so in the front. The rear is acceptable with a large sub in the trunk.
As of now, I'm what you call too low. I can't get into any driveway if I don't go sideways, and I cannot possibly go over the crazy speed bump. I believe my A-arm mounting points are the lowest point, which are roughly 2" off the ground. Luckily the oil pan is way up there.
But it is certainly drivable if the roads you have to drive on don't contain gigantic speed bumps.
If you have height adjusting coils and don't mind going sideways everywhere, I suggest trying to go an inch lower. They look awfully sexy, especially if you run big rims.
http://s28.postimg.org/y84ca6ql9/IMAG0753.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
img (http://postimage.org/)
This is how my car sits at the moment. The tires look pathetic with that stretch but the 255's will fix that. I also need some spacing, which you guys' offsets help me find.

['E']

I want to raise the rear a little and drop the front a little

Attached is a rear pic of an 19x8.5 275/30 with 22mm offset

[Tireiron]

That looks like a great fit E. I can't wait till the spring when I get the brakes on and put the wheels on so I can get a couple of pictures. Right now I'm sitting on the OEM for the winter while it sits in the garage. Might as well not flat spot the good wheels heh.

[SVXRide]

Just as an FYI. Yes, we're racing in FP class in SCCA autocross. As a reference point, Camaros/Firebirds/Mustangs in ESP are all running 315s. I've run 245s (GS) and 275s (ESP) in the past and run out of traction with both. As far as unsprung mass, I agree that less is better. Unfortunately, the rims I'd really like to run are $200+ each (!). The Mustang rims are much more affordable and weigh roughly the same as our stock SVX rims.

Bill

[david_12121]

E, I don't know how low you are on the fronts but I have the same amount of tuck front and rear and I'm raking hard! If you're going for that it'll rake.
But yeah, yours is way higher than mine, so I'm pretty sure I can't fit that much. But there is only one way to find out. Also you have just the perfect offset. I'd need 13mm of spacing in the rear to have the same, since my offset is 35, on same size rims. I'll probably go with a 15mm one.
Thanks for the pic.

SVXride thanks for the info. Is there any videos I can watch? It'd be awesome to see a well done svx...maybe I can start moving towards that.

[svxfiles]

I think the springs from Dayle have app 50% more spring rate (than stock). I installed a set this summer and they made a huge difference compared to stock. Personally I would not go any stiffer in a daily driver - but of course this a personal matter :D. So far I've only been to a track day once, but the difference is very noticeable - it doesn't feel quite the barge it used to :eek:. Nice to see how they behave when the snow comes...... softer is usually better on ice tracks.

I run 245/45-17 summer tires on STi wheels and 215/60-16 winter tires (studded Nokian Hakka 7) on stock wheels. So far no rubs with either.

/T

Tapani, I know that you have a turbocharged SVX,
(LAN reminded me)
so that tells me that you are an intelligent guy.
But I have to take exception to your 50% claim.
The stock SVX rear springs have a wire diameter of 13.3mm diameter.
Motorsports rear springs have a diameter of 14.4mm.
If you do the math,
there is/that is only a 17% increase in wire diameter.
NASA Bill recently sent me a formula for interpeting the inch/pound strength of a similar design coil spring.
If stock springs are 160/130 inch/pounds, while the MotorSport springs are an improvement, it is no where near 50%.


In my "normal upgrade" I install 400 inch pound/300 inch pound springs,
more for serious Racers.
Just trying to be clear here, not trying to be a Jagoff!
I hope that we are still friends.

[INVADR]

Dayle states that his springs are similar to stock spring rates, on his site (200F/170R). I noticed a slight increase in "firmness", after installing his springs. Still drove nice, but it certainly didn't turn it into some glued to the road racecar. Firmer valving on the struts, I think, would help matters further.

Nevin's RSB made a monumental difference. :cool:

[VICSVX]

@invadr, any pics of your car with dayels Springs?

[SVXMAN2001]

Here's a pic of mine with dayle's lowering springs. They slightly improve handling, but most importantly (for me) they reduce the front wheel gap. Just have to be careful going over those speed bumps.