The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > General SVX Babble

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-20-2013, 09:42 PM
B 4 You's Avatar
B 4 You B 4 You is offline
#lolsvx
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 749
Registered SVX
Just installed my STi coilovers

Well, as some of you may know I ordered the Ceika coilovers. All was going well, but there were some delays due to the people that made the top mounts and it was taking longer than expected. I'm moving in a month so waiting wasn't an option. I went and bought a set of 05-07 STi coilovers from Raceland. Go ahead and judge me. Install took me about 10 hours. The hardest part was getting the strut knuckle bolts off. I had to use a 4 foot breaker bar several times. Anyway, I'm pretty much a beginner at all of this stuff, and if I could do it, surely you can. The fronts were not bad to get on, just time consuming.









Do you guys like my redneck garage?



Take your STi top plates, and measure where you need to drill. The holes were pretty tiny, and it didn't seem to mess with the structural integrity at all. After all, all the force goes against the top plate, not those little bolts. The bottom knuckles were the exact same width, but the holes were spaced out a little farther. I extended the bottom holes up about a quarter of an inch, and it all slipped on after that. I still haven't connected my sway bar up front, but I plan on doing that this week. It still drives great, though.

The rears didn't take as long but were tedious, and might stray some people away. The knuckles are too skinny, and they must either be bent out or shaved, or shave your SVX (which I won't do). I couldn't find a torch so I just put the damn thing in the flame of the stove until it got pretty hot. I have this old tire changing machine with a leverage bar, and I used that to bent them out to the perfect amount. It took quite a bit of bending/testing/bending, but it worked. I had to wiggle and hammer them on, but they're on and they can come off easily with a hammer. The holes were in the exact same spot, so that made things nice. For the top plates, I had fixed ones, but you'd probably need to drill 3 new holes if you want your camber plates to go straight out, because it sits at a slight angle. For fixed plates, you just need to drill one hole. I was off a little bit so I had to make the other holes slightly bigger, but it worked.

That's LITERALLY it. Even the brackets on the front ones are good to use for the brake/abs lines. It takes a bit of redneck engineering and some elbow grease, but it works. If I can do this, you definitely can. Considering there are 2 companies we know of that make an SVX suspension and probably dozens that make STi ones (and will continue to), I think this may become our best option. The coilovers I bought came with 8k/5k (450 ft-lb/281ft-lb) which made me nervous at first because I HATE bouncy rides, but it's smooth as can be. No body roll too, even without the sway bar up front. I'm completely satisfied. Oh, did I mention it's low?







^ I literally couldn't even pull out of my stupid driveway at this height. When I finally did, it rubbed the crap out of my fenders whenever I turned, so I raised it up a bit.



^ This is the ride height that is perfect. No rubbing at all, even when going fast on bumpy back roads. I would like to have it a little lower, and if I roll my fenders I could go much lower. it still had plenty of clearance on the inside, just not the edge. I may try it with some camber as well. I still have almost 3 inches left to go on the coilovers, and that doesn't include taking the locking nuts off.

I must say I'm pretty impressed with myself, considering 2 days ago I looked up "how to adjust coilovers" on youtube.

Seriously guys, just do it. It's such a good option.
__________________
1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-20-2013, 10:43 PM
Nemesis Destiny's Avatar
Nemesis Destiny Nemesis Destiny is offline
6MT STi-ified, now with R180!
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 668
Send a message via ICQ to Nemesis Destiny Send a message via MSN to Nemesis Destiny
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Nice work! The car looks great, and it doesn't sound like too bad of a job.

...And every time I see a set of those STi wheels, I want a set (in silver) more and more.
__________________
1992 LS-L Touring, Liquid Silver w/ Black, 110k mi. "Alice." Rebuilt title. Mods: WRX 6-CD changer, 17x8" Motegi LC-12 (16.5lbs), PWR rad, Perrin LCP, JDM v.8 6MT + R180, Koni + Ground Control (325f/280r), Earthworm Bushings. Awaiting resto.
1994 LSI The legendary "Shotgun Slade" 110k mi and still going strong!

2005 Outback XT Limited 5MT, Obsidian Black Pearl, 211k km, daily driver.
1999 Mazda MX5 base 5MT, Twilight Blue Metallic, 152k km. "Twilight Sparkle" Summer daily driver!
2007 Honda CR-V, some awful shade of light green *yawn*

1992 LS-L Touring, Ebony Mica, 176k kms. Parts car. SCRAPPED.
1992 LS-L, Dark Teal, 367k km. "Wintergreen" the winter beater.*SCRAPPED due to rust*
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-21-2013, 04:58 AM
huck369's Avatar
huck369 huck369 is offline
Inventor of the 5-speed swap
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Somerset, KY
Posts: 5,604
Significant Technical Input Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Good job, but them not having the sway bar attachment point is the biggest reason people haven't been doing this, so I'm interested in what you end up doing to hook up the sway bar....
__________________
Huck
Subaru Ambassador
92 SVX LS-Tour Magnaflow Exhaust, 5-Spd-AWD
88 XT6 AWD 5-Speed "Bride of FrankenWedge"
15 Impreza Premium Sedan
15 Crosstrek XV 5-Speed
My 5-Speed "How-To" Write-up
1976 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Current Count of Subaru's Owned.... "70"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-21-2013, 05:19 AM
Alex-svx's Avatar
Alex-svx Alex-svx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Norway
Posts: 630
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Grate work and the car looks grate too.
__________________
Alexander (Norway)

My subarus:
1992 Svx LSI 5-MT(3.54)
1998 Legacy BG 2.5L GX
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-21-2013, 05:37 AM
B 4 You's Avatar
B 4 You B 4 You is offline
#lolsvx
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 749
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Huck, I honestly wouldn't have even known if someone had done this for me and handed the car to me. The front suspension is tight enough to make it not 100% necessary. I feel like I can feel the absence of it, but that might just be me being paranoid. I think I'm going to weld a small bracket onto the control arm and do it that way. I could weld it to the strut, but it would have to be lower and it will be dangerously close to the brake lines. They have adjustable endlinks for civics and such that would fit and I plan on getting those this week
__________________
1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-21-2013, 06:40 AM
michael's Avatar
michael michael is offline
What Potholes ???
Subaru Bronze Contributor
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Scranton, PA
Posts: 2,425
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Could you find something like this?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg coilover2.jpg (98.4 KB, 572 views)
__________________
"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything."

92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration
96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD
Wanted: Steering Wheel
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-21-2013, 06:41 AM
B 4 You's Avatar
B 4 You B 4 You is offline
#lolsvx
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 749
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Yes, but you would have to buy shorter endlinks in order to do so. That would work just fine, though.
__________________
1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-21-2013, 10:58 AM
92 SVX 92 SVX is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Jax Florida
Posts: 1,469
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Looks great, and congrats, one other option for you could have been getting the top plate made at a machine shop.

Cost was about $150 for the both of them at a shop in PA I think, I dont recall what the cost was for mine also for the sway bar mount this is what came with my set.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg SVX coil over endlink mount (2).jpg (349.9 KB, 523 views)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-21-2013, 04:12 PM
Chuckls's Avatar
Chuckls Chuckls is offline
Designated Asshole
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Charlestown, Indiana
Posts: 833
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Can I be the one to make fun of you for buying the cheapest coilover possible?



inb4coilsblown.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-21-2013, 04:53 PM
B 4 You's Avatar
B 4 You B 4 You is offline
#lolsvx
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 749
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

*most affordable
__________________
1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-22-2013, 03:52 PM
dannmarr's Avatar
dannmarr dannmarr is offline
I work for my SVX
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pocono Lake, PA
Posts: 1,647
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

What is the Warranty on these?
(to asnwer my own question: 2 year warranty)
__________________
Father of 5 sons and 1 daughter

Subaru SVX for fun
Hyundai Veracruz for the wife.
Susuki SX4 for my older son
Ford Ranger for work
Mercedes Benz Sprinter for vacation trips,
EZ GO Golf cart for driving kids around gated community.

Last edited by dannmarr; 07-24-2013 at 04:54 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-22-2013, 08:41 PM
SVX8588's Avatar
SVX8588 SVX8588 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: VT
Posts: 270
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

So maybe they are the most affordable, which appeals to me as well! I do have one question though - is there more height adjustment to raise the car? I'm thinking about doing the same swap at some point, but I really need coilovers that will raise the car to at least stock height, preferable higher (for the winter time).
Thanks!
__________________
Glen

SOLD - 1992 LSL 180K #8588 with svxfiles' all aluminum radiator; Wolf's head synthetic ATF in tranny and power steering; lighted power mode switch; Mobil 1 10W30 motor oil with Bosch 72158 filter; ACDelco A975C air filter; Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 gear oil, Optima BlueTop battery
2002 F550 74K
SOLD - 2000 F450 215K
1987 BMW 535i 209K
1999 Yamaha SRX 700
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 07-23-2013, 05:46 AM
B 4 You's Avatar
B 4 You B 4 You is offline
#lolsvx
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 749
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Yes! I had about 2 inches to go down, and probably 3 or 4 to go back up. You could definitely run at stock height. I wouldn't get them if you plan on going higher, though. You may run into camber issues if it's going to be high too, since the only reason mine is in check is because it's been lowered.
__________________
1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 07-23-2013, 09:03 PM
SVX8588's Avatar
SVX8588 SVX8588 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: VT
Posts: 270
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

Okay, thanks for the info. I know the rear camber is adjustable, but I can't remember if the front is or not.
__________________
Glen

SOLD - 1992 LSL 180K #8588 with svxfiles' all aluminum radiator; Wolf's head synthetic ATF in tranny and power steering; lighted power mode switch; Mobil 1 10W30 motor oil with Bosch 72158 filter; ACDelco A975C air filter; Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 gear oil, Optima BlueTop battery
2002 F550 74K
SOLD - 2000 F450 215K
1987 BMW 535i 209K
1999 Yamaha SRX 700
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-24-2013, 02:38 PM
B 4 You's Avatar
B 4 You B 4 You is offline
#lolsvx
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 749
Registered SVX
Re: Just installed my STi coilovers

The rear camber is NOT. The front is. You'll have to either buy camber bolts or a camber plate from another suspension (BC sells them for $150) in order to raise it much higher than I am now, otherwise you'll have positive camber.
__________________
1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122