Possible new suspension alternative - Stance Coilovers

Crazy_pilot · #1 03-23-2012, 03:58 PM

So for those of you who's caught my posts in the recent thread by dbarnblatt (Here) regarding the lack of strut availability, I've contacted Stance USA about any interest they may have in developing a system for the SVX. This is all very tentative and I can promise absolutely nothing, but here's the details so far:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy_Pilot

Hey guys,

Bit of an off the wall question, but would you ever consider developping a coilover system for the Subaru SVX? I'm an active member of the main owners group, and one of the biggest problems facing us right now is a lack of suspension parts. It seems that the OEM replacements have sat in storage for 15+ years and blow out in a month or two of use. In the past many have had custom coilovers put together using Koni inserts and Ground Control springs on the stock strut bodies, but Koni has discontinued the inserts.

The reason I'm contacting you guys is that I installed a set of GR+ coilovers in my SVX 18 months ago. It took some work, but I was able to get a set meant for a 2002-07 WRX to fit, and the function has been flawless. Given that I was able to do this, would it be feasible to develop a system for the SVX based on the WRX setup you already have? The upper and lower mounts would need to be modified, but the body is perfect in it's current form. The link below shows the thread that documents my installation:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...t=41831&page=3

If someone could look it over and let me know what you think I'd be very grateful. There are many owners who love their cars and are faced with the shortage of replacement parts, and it will be a terrible shame to see these cars being scrapped because of this.

Thanks,

Chris

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stance Rep

Hey Chris,
I appreciate you coming to us for this project. We have been recently taking on more and more application development for cars that have very limited options when it comes to upgraded suspension. I'm going to run this past the owner here and see if we would be willing to take on the SVX. We may ask for a certain number of locked in customers for the specific product before putting forth the effort and research to complete the set up. I will be in touch.
Thanks,
Scott

Now this does give me pause. I've been a part of this community long enough to know how tentative we are as a whole regarding initial group buys, and I can see this being an issue here. If it comes to requiring a certain number of orders up front all I ask is that we keep an eye to the future and view it as an investment in our cars that will benefit us and future owners.

I'll keep people posted as I receive updates.

LastSVXintheChi · #2 03-23-2012, 04:35 PM

How much did it cost you to convert your car over?

If it didnt cost you anything do you know how much their average setup costs?

Chuckls · #3 03-23-2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LastSVXintheChi

How much did it cost you to convert your car over?

If it didnt cost you anything do you know how much their average setup costs?

I would assume $1435 like the rest of theirs.

Crazy_pilot · #4 03-23-2012, 05:26 PM

I bought my suspension used on NASIOC for $900. I was reasonably confident that it would work, but in the event it didn't I wanted to keep my investment to the minimum.

And yes, their typical entry level pricing is $1400-1500.

WYOSVX · #5 03-23-2012, 09:50 PM

I have been in touch with AMR Engineering because of SunValleyRay's suggestion. He said he's very busy right now but I should expect coilovers in about 8 weeks. I'm waiting for his proposal. He has a set of SVX coilovers to work from. Says he can make any way I want with respect to race applicability. I hope to be getting something more for street with some drop. I don't mean to take the wind out of anyone's sails with this post and do want to add to the discussion. Point is: this company has been recommended to me by a fellow SVX owner. He's got the design worked out, supposedly. He does not require a volume purchase. I don't know him or guarantee reliability at all but may be able to tell you something about these in 8 weeks. Just something to consider. Price for street coilovers is less than $1800, but I don't have a firm proposal yet. If AMR doesn't work out, I am interested in other options.

halistan · #6 03-24-2012, 07:18 PM

Wow, 2 possible options?? Thats great! I am personally leaning a bit towards the Stance ones if they can mock them up to have the same ride height as Chris. I think his looks sweet and will shell out the money in a heartbeat to get some.

Cheers to you both for helping us get options

I think i speak for the club when I say "Cheers!!"

halistan · #7 03-26-2012, 01:48 PM

Yeah...not to be a pest or anything :P but have either of you heard anything back on these yet? Just curious

Crazy_pilot · #8 03-26-2012, 02:02 PM

lol. No, nothing more to report yet. I don't expect it'll be a quick moving process though. Working in a design/engineering field I know how long it can take to get a ball rolling.

And the more options the better! If the Stance route works out, great. If AMR comes through, equally great!

WYOSVX · #9 03-26-2012, 04:11 PM

Sorry, nothing here, either. I expect it'll be May before I hear anything. That's when I'll start nagging. He told me 8 weeks about 1 week or 2 ago. To me, that means wait till May to start nagging him again, though I did send him a reminder the other day and he acknowledged me. I feel like I have to tread lightly for something like this. It's not as though this'll bring a huge boost in his business. So, patience here, too.

sunvalleyray · #10 03-26-2012, 06:31 PM

I cannot take credit for discovering Andy from AMR, I found Andy three years ago via a post by mbtoloczko. I have met Andy twice, seen his work and plan to order a set of four soon. I also have delivered two complete sets of OEM springs/shocks to Andy to assist in him developing an after market coil over for the SVX. Check out his site and see his work, I have not seen better.

Ray

halistan · #11 03-26-2012, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the updates guys

I appreciate it. Guess I'll just have to be patient. I'll bug you in May

Chuckls · #12 03-29-2012, 08:38 PM

I am talking with a couple people from Turn In Concepts about making some. They think the market will be limited so I think a group buy would probably have to be made.

I'll talk to them more at a Subaru meet I'm attending in 2mo.

dbarnblatt · #13 03-29-2012, 09:14 PM

Thanks for all the efforts!

One concern I have with a coil over set-up like these is how practical will they be for stock type car. Meaning will these be able to provide a quite type road going ride?

Aluminum top mounts and stiff springs... can versions be made for a more comfort type of ride. Just the aluminum top mounts makes me think the cabin noise is going to be very loud.

Can different specs be made?

What are everyone's thoughts?

icingdeath88 · #14 03-29-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckls

I am talking with a couple people from Turn In Concepts about making some. They think the market will be limited so I think a group buy would probably have to be made.

I'll talk to them more at a Subaru meet I'm attending in 2mo.

They had a fleeting moment of interest in the SVX, but none of us bought anything (well, I bought those polish bushings from them) so they may have put it on the backburner and not gone back to it.

But, I bet they would be willing to do a group buy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarnblatt

One concern I have with a coil over set-up like these is how practical will they be for stock type car. Meaning will these be able to provide a quite type road going ride?

Aluminum top mounts and stiff springs... can versions be made for a more comfort type of ride. Just the aluminum top mounts makes me think the cabin noise is going to be very loud.

Can different specs be made?

What are everyone's thoughts?

Also, to those concerned with comfort, etc ^^. The coilover setup on my car is probably one of the "harshest" on any SVX (camber/caster front topmounts, and solid rear topmounts). It's not uncomfortable. It's not even that much stiffer feeling than my wife's Lancer. What squishiness you give up in going to a stiff top mount you gain back tenfold in how precise it feels instead. It doesn't have to feel like a Civic slammed to the ground, rock hard through turns and scraping on every bump. It feels like a sport/luxury car instead of luxury/sport perhaps.

Adjustable dampers mean you can tune the stiffness of the struts, and I'm sure there will be many different spring rates to choose from. And adjustable height means you can lower it if you want to get rid of a bit of wheel-well gap, or slam it to the ground, or (and I know it seems crazy) you can leave it at stock height.

Bolt-in coilovers would be a better option than new OEM struts, since they're newly built and should be overkill if anything. I kinda lost my train of thought, but what I'm trying to say is that coilovers basically have no downside.

Chuckls · #15 03-29-2012, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

They had a fleeting moment of interest in the SVX, but none of us bought anything (well, I bought those polish bushings from them) so they may have put it on the backburner and not gone back to it.

But, I bet they would be willing to do a group buy.

Probably was on the backburner, but I notified them of our situation and they seemed enthusiastic.