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Old 12-16-2018, 10:26 AM   #1
ssmokeyy
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Default 03 wrx with bc racing br coilovers. Jarring and bouncy.

So I got this car early this year and had to rebuild the motor, replace all the steering parts, installed 06 brakes , installed sti seats front and rear. So now months later I get it on the road and kinda fun to drive. But the ride quality is crap. It came with bc racing coilovers and it's like there is no middle it's with great on super smooth roads or **** on roads with little age. I have been looking but bilstein does not make anything for this car other than for $2800 bucks and for a daily driver not going to spend that much. What spring rates seem good for this car? Would buying swift springs make these any better? I have also been looking at slivers, tein flex z, st x coilovers I dont like that there is zero setting adjustment for the price.
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Old 12-16-2018, 11:18 AM   #2
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KW V1 for me. I have them on 2 cars
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Old 12-16-2018, 03:23 PM   #3
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Tokico d-specs https://www.oakos.com/TOK-DSP-10.htm
WA/A2 springs with matching bump stops and dust boots https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho....php?t=2859377
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Old 12-17-2018, 01:00 AM   #4
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So no go on swift springs? I was wondering what would be a good spring rate to buy. If I go back to a stock setup I have to spend 200 on new strut mounts since the car came with coilovers and I don't have any factory parts for it.
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Old 12-17-2018, 06:14 AM   #5
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The softer the spring rate, the more travel/ride height you need.
BC do a 4/3kg/mm (224/168lb/in) set, with longer travel struts, to allow for the lower spring rates.
When I was developing the WA/A2 springs, I prefered the front and rear spring rates closer together, linear 4.4/4kg/mm (245/223lb/in) - I wouldn't go any stiffer than that, on undulating/uneven roads.
Reducing the spring rates, on your BC coilovers, will depend on what minimum spring rates, their damping curve will accommodate.

Last edited by 2pot; 12-17-2018 at 06:27 AM.
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Old 12-17-2018, 09:39 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssmokeyy View Post
So I got this car early this year and had to rebuild the motor, replace all the steering parts, installed 06 brakes , installed sti seats front and rear. So now months later I get it on the road and kinda fun to drive. But the ride quality is crap. It came with bc racing coilovers and it's like there is no middle it's with great on super smooth roads or **** on roads with little age. I have been looking but bilstein does not make anything for this car other than for $2800 bucks and for a daily driver not going to spend that much. What spring rates seem good for this car? Would buying swift springs make these any better? I have also been looking at slivers, tein flex z, st x coilovers I dont like that there is zero setting adjustment for the price.
We just released our affordable entry level SS1 coilover which targets your exact needs and was co developed with KW suspensions. Let us know and we can provide more information.

Myles
RCE
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Old 12-17-2018, 04:42 PM   #7
Charlie-III
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssmokeyy View Post
So I got this car early this year and had to rebuild the motor, replace all the steering parts, installed 06 brakes , installed sti seats front and rear. So now months later I get it on the road and kinda fun to drive. But the ride quality is crap. It came with bc racing coilovers and it's like there is no middle it's with great on super smooth roads or **** on roads with little age. I have been looking but bilstein does not make anything for this car other than for $2800 bucks and for a daily driver not going to spend that much. What spring rates seem good for this car? Would buying swift springs make these any better? I have also been looking at slivers, tein flex z, st x coilovers I dont like that there is zero setting adjustment for the price.
Is it possible the struts are blown and need a rebuild?

I don't know, son had a set that sounds similar, he got rebuilds (?) and it was fine after.
Blown struts can make almost any spring seem harsh.
Leaks down the strut body is first clue, but, if driven on for quite a while, maybe strut oil is sorta long gone.
Just thoughts.

Last edited by Charlie-III; 12-17-2018 at 09:28 PM. Reason: Fix typo
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Old 12-17-2018, 06:11 PM   #8
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The setup also has an effect. Like, how low are they, is there enough bump/droop travel, and where are the damper adjustment set.

Changing to swift springs won't do a whole lot. It's not going to fix the clunky, worn out bearings or seized height adjusters or blown shocks that were crappy when new.

I would just replace them entirely. I really like the look of those RCE SS1s they mentioned and would like a set myself. Most of RCE's parts are based on an existing KW or Bilstein part but with changes to the springs and shock valving. Both make great parts but they like to put really soft rear springs on the car which is nice for comfort but bad for handling balance.
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Old 12-18-2018, 12:42 AM   #9
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The struts are set to 8 clicks from the softest setting. I have a 2 inch wheel gap, coilovers are marked 2017 model. I got the car early this year. These were on the car when I got it. There is no leaks that I can find. I like the idea of the ss1 setup. Seems as close as I'm going to get to bilstein setup for a normal price range.
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Old 12-18-2018, 10:13 AM   #10
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GD SS1 7/6kg/mm (400/340lb/in)
BC BR 8/6kg/mm (450/340lb/in)

Last edited by 2pot; 12-18-2018 at 10:27 AM.
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Old 12-18-2018, 11:32 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssmokeyy View Post
The struts are set to 8 clicks from the softest setting. I have a 2 inch wheel gap, coilovers are marked 2017 model. I got the car early this year. These were on the car when I got it. There is no leaks that I can find. I like the idea of the ss1 setup. Seems as close as I'm going to get to bilstein setup for a normal price range.
Play with the damping settings and see if you can find a more comfortable setting. Across the range of however many clicks there are on these coilovers, there's probably only a few clicks where they're in the "right" range for that springrate in terms of controlling oscillations. Go a couple clicks at a time and focus on one end of the car at a time, making notes. If you can't tell a difference, make bigger changes and try both stiffer/softer until you can figure out what's working.

Too "stiff" on the damping and they're not making the most of travel and they're rebounding too slowly which could be described as jarring or bumpy because they're not allowing the springs to absorb the impact and transmitting more of it to the chassis. Too "soft" and they're allowing the spring to compress too quickly and rebound too quickly causing oscillations/bounciness. Keep in mind, even in the right range, they're not going to ride like a Cadillac, it's a stiffer suspension that's going to translate more road imperfections into the chassis.

It's true that RCE, KW, Bilstein, etc. are on a different level than BC, Stance, and other lower priced coilovers, that's not to say they're complete garbage. You should be able to dial them in to be reasonably comfortable. Once you've exhausted your knob turning options I highly suggest the RCE option. The RCE's will make the street manners feel much better. That was my experience going from Stance Supersports with 8k(450lb/in)/6k(~350lb/in) to RCE T2's even with stiffer 500/400 lb/in springs.
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Old 12-18-2018, 04:17 PM   #12
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The OP is concerned with poor ride, on poor roads. Why even consider high-rate springs on a road car? Unless your going for a particular slammed look. "Any suspension will work, if you don't let it" (C.Chapman).
Softer springs = more grip - stiffest end of the car will slide first.
Dial them in to be comfortable? He's, unfortunately, got the wrong spring rates.
As rightly stated - damping controls spring oscillations. It is not a means to rectify the wrong spring rate/bar choice, on a particular surface.
He needs to consider more suitable ride frequencies, for a road car. Rather than turn his car into a mobile chicane, on undulating/uneven roads - the commonest road surface.

Last edited by 2pot; 12-18-2018 at 04:29 PM.
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Old 12-18-2018, 04:18 PM   #13
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Pm sent myles from race comp.
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Old 01-13-2021, 02:43 PM   #14
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i recently got my subaru and it has the BC Racing Coilovers.. the ride is HORRIBILY bouncy.. anyone know what I can set the dampening to that will help eliminate this?

Thank you!

~~~ 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX ~~~
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Old 01-13-2021, 03:39 PM   #15
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Cheap coilovers like those are going to be bouncy. You can have them rebuilt with softer springs rates, get a higher quality set of coilovers, or get a more OE style damper with a quality spring like RCE yellows or blacks.
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Old 01-14-2021, 08:30 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snow_bound26 View Post
Cheap coilovers like those are going to be bouncy.
oh i thought the BC Racing Coilovers are like $1000 ?




~~~ 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX ~~~
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Old 01-14-2021, 09:17 AM   #17
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Quote:
oh i thought the BC Racing Coilovers are like $1000 ?
$1000 for coil overs is cheap. Real racing coil overs are close to like $3k. Just bought a 05 STi for a track project with B/C coilovers. First chance i have i will be ripping them out and replacing them with something better. Me personally I do not like coilovers. I prefer a very good set of shocks and springs.

Last edited by BlackFighter; 01-14-2021 at 09:22 AM.
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Old 01-14-2021, 11:08 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by Jaws4God View Post
oh i thought the BC Racing Coilovers are like $1000 ?
High-end coilovers like Penskes can cost you that much or more just for one corner of your car. Without the springs or any options.


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Old 01-14-2021, 11:35 AM   #19
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High-end coilovers like Penskes can cost you that much or more just for one corner of your car. Without the springs or any options.
HAHA yap, $10,000 for a set of 4 for a BRZ.

https://www.penskeshocks.com/product...-2013-present/
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Old 02-12-2021, 11:26 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snow_bound26 View Post
You can have them rebuilt with softer springs rates, get a higher quality set of coilovers,
i think this is the route i'll go.. anyone have a link to some softer springs that will work with the BC Coilovers?

Thank you!!
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Old 02-12-2021, 11:32 AM   #21
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Talk to these guys, they will answer all your questions and will rebuild your set to whever your needs are.

https://fealsuspensionstore.com/
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Old 02-12-2021, 08:42 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackFighter View Post
Talk to these guys, they will answer all your questions and will rebuild your set to whever your needs are.

https://fealsuspensionstore.com/


Beat me to it. Do this ^^
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Old 02-16-2021, 07:40 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackFighter View Post
Talk to these guys, they will answer all your questions and will rebuild your set to whever your needs are.

https://fealsuspensionstore.com/
Quote:
Originally Posted by snow_bound26 View Post
Beat me to it. Do this ^^
Thanks guys!

If the ride is bouncy there is a lack of rebound force control. What needs to happen is that the rates soften up (band aid) or the valving is altered (correct fix). Entry level BC's just aren't spectacular and there's not much you can do to improve the situation without shock work.
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