I find the steering on the 1.6 GT-S (UK) model really vague. I understand the "STI type" in Japan has an improved configuration. Bilstein suspension and the use of "Clamp Stiffeners". Anyone have any more info or experience of this?
The bilsteins alone may not get you what you're after, have heard good things from the STI lateral link set and these clamps: https://www.japanparts.com/parts/detail/49372 https://www.japanparts.com/parts/detail/47012 Refer also: https://www.sti.jp/parts/levorg_vm/suspension/ https://www.sti.jp/parts/levorg_vm/chassis/
Thanks AKKO! Have just received the Clamps from Japan. Will try them first. No instructions on fitting, guess they should be self-evident or do you know where I can see instructions? Are you in Japan or Oz btw?
I'm in Glasgow, Scotland, not far from the original Perth We don't get the range of options you do out there - only one spec "GT-S". No idea what suspension fitted as stock here. Are they bog standard KYB or OEM'ed Bilsteins - havent lifted the car to look yet only had it a short while. How do you find the ride on the Bilsteins? Why are you going for new springs btw is the spec-B with STI pack no good?
Hopefully you enjoy a dram or two living there! Front shocks will be yellow if they're bilsteins so should be easy to spot. I would describe it as bouncy in the rear and bottoms out at the front. Can't justify spending money on MCA Coilovers so STI springs it is for the moment.
Yeah mine is crashy at the front and wallowy at the rear. Thought it was just the UK spec. And you already have Bilsteins with the same result... weird. (Unless of course it turns out we have the same setup here as stock). Be interested to hear how you get on with your new springs. Also the Clamps don;t come with bolts or instructions as they are "repair" parts not aftermarket ones. So when you fit 'em up can you post up a few photos of before, during and after? My local shop isnt too bright when it comes to figuring it out for themselves and "blind" tampering with a steering rack is something they would need to be persuaded to do. With no "official" Subaru instructions, would be easier to persuade with some photos and confirmation of the (presumably simple) process of bolting it on.
It's weird because in other conditions it can be firm. There is one semi helpful photo on the Japan parts site, think I just assumed existing bolts would be reused...I'm getting a specialist Subaru workshop to do mine as upgrading brakes in parallel.
Yes planning on getting a workshop to do mine too but they are a bit timid, so probably still helpful if your workshop could shoot me over a couple more shots like the one on the japanparts site, maybe a shot of both sides so they can see clearly where it fits on; and any advice on the bolt size used. I expect anyone else on the forum might find that useful too if they planning same upgrade. BTW found the part cheaper on rakuten. (Though have used japanparts lots times and they are excellent, just more than double the price on this occasion).
Oh good show. Just got mine done today too. @AKKO how are they different to the ones already fitted on the stock car (which my mechanics replaced with these)? Am trying to convince myself the car feels slightly sharper now but not very noticeable to me (yet). Didnt drive em back to back, had a loan car in between which is pretty mushy so tough to compare when diff is so subtle.
Judging by the ribbing on the new ones I expect they are more rigid... but tbh I am hard put to tell the difference in feel. I expect there is so much more needing adjusted anway (e.g. bushes, droplinks, tyres). Anyway glad they're in gives me the feeling I tried something at least.
