Strut Options

[92 SVX]

Originally Posted by LastSVXintheChi

i got both front struts for $273 which includes shipping from Washington State.

nate and svxfiles: i have a friend who was a mechanic he did just about everything from the stories he tells and he has the spring compressor which has not failed on us yet lol

must have been the $115 per front I seen as well

[LastSVXintheChi]

Originally Posted by 92 SVX

must have been the $115 per front I seen as well

i think they were a little over that but it was the best price i could get and i have gotten parts from them before here is the site if you want to look

https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/oe_parts_cat.html

[James Scott]

I dont know how worn my stock struts were.. when I put on drop springs and Koni strut inserts (nor do I remember the cost) .. . BUT, the difference was incredible.. I think dropping 1.5 inches in front.. and 1 inch in back (?). Got from Motorsports (Dayle), 2004 I think.. ?

Basically, MY stock shocks were pathetic .. my SVX rocked back and forth.. even a little to and fro! (Like a boat in a storm!) .. Ask others (OOPS! If they haven't said earlier in this thread already! Ha!) if the OEM struts are worth replacing.. I mean worth installing new ones.. ??

[SVX_MY_BABY]

The guys in Japan have figured out how to use Bilstein.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanakas...7627940671415/

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by SVX_MY_BABY

The guys in Japan have figured out how to use Bilstein.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanakas...7627940671415/

That was an aftermarket option over there FYI

[benebob]

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

Any idea what the difference is?

Seriously, though, we need a contingency plan for when Koni bails and Subaru finally does run out. The info about the WRX struts is exactly what we need. Wouldn't STi struts have the right space for the SVX knuckles?

Yes it would, but I don't know if it has the same lengths as the WRX and SVX one. They were kind of pricey 5 years ago when I put WRX fronts on the rear of the SVX racer. A place like Penske who does lots of one off inserts would also be a good source. You could actually get a real double adjustable strut rather than the basic Koni. Don't get me wrong I liked my Konis on my SVX but I do think Subaru's ignorance when dealing with the crap they called rear struts let to me to realize just how far the Subaru cluster has fallen.

[sunvalleyray]

Originally Posted by SVX92-97

Besides stock and Koni are there any other strut options for our svx's Im reluctant to buy oem struts that may have been sitting on the shelf for many years and have lost there full function capabilities. Koni's are big bucks, so any alternate cheaper struts that would work.

Custom coilovers @ http://www.amrengineering.com/

Ray

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by benebob

Yes it would, but I don't know if it has the same lengths as the WRX and SVX one. They were kind of pricey 5 years ago when I put WRX fronts on the rear of the SVX racer. A place like Penske who does lots of one off inserts would also be a good source. You could actually get a real double adjustable strut rather than the basic Koni. Don't get me wrong I liked my Konis on my SVX but I do think Subaru's ignorance when dealing with the crap they called rear struts let to me to realize just how far the Subaru cluster has fallen.

Height I don't think would be much of an issue actually, just because there is a very good variety of adjustable height coilovers that are not that terribly expensive. They don't have to be stock, they just need to be an affordable option for the future.

What do you mean about the rear struts? I'm not understanding you.

Oh, and thanks for the info.

[injuhneer]

So I was looking at the Koni inserts listed on classicgarage.com and other sites.

It seems like this solves at least one issue and is nearly the same as the path I was following. Nearly all package struts are actually a cartridge swaged into a carrier. Such is the case with our struts. So what I am working on is a simple (read:inexpensive) method to cut, gut, and thread our struts to accept common cartridges.

I have contacted several manufacturers about the damping rates of candidate cartridges. The goal is to get a close or slightly firmer damping rate that comes from a common car.

For example; take a early 90's Chevy Lumina. Similar weight and front wheel drive. The Euro and Z34 sport suspensions were higher damping rate. That cartridge is inexpensive, available nearly anywhere on the planet, and comes with its own mounting nut.

So the goal is to use a common part with an adapted strut to come up with a less expensive alternative for the average daily driver that is also available at the FLAPS (friendly local auto parts store).

The custom bits are great especially for sporting folks but it just seems like a set of adapted struts that accept common GM/Nissan/Toyota cartridges opens up an inexpensive, reliable, long term solution. Of course it also opens the possibility of other cartridges for track or performance use but does not offer an adjustable spring perch.

The choice of cartridges will also open some options for the upper strut mount. An existing mount can be used as an adapter plate to eliminate the need to drill holes or modify the tower. For those who want less noise transmitted to the interior you would be able to keep rubber strut mounts.

So that is the status of my effort. I'll share more once I have data back from the manufacturers.

-Mike O

[injuhneer]

Some of these folks are just amusing.

Me: "Hello. I am calling to request engineering info on your strut cartridge lines."
Koni: "We don't publish that info online."
Me: "I didn't confine my request to online resources. How do I acquire engineering data (dimensions, etc) for your strut cartridges?"
Koni: "We don't publish that information."
Me: "So when an auto company asks for data you make them guess the dimensions to see if they get it right? Really now. Do you need an NDA or other agreement in place to share the engineering specs?"
Koni: *crickets chirping*

Next...

Me: "Hello. I am calling to request engineering info on your strut cartridge lines."
KYB: "We don't publish that info online."
Me: "I didn't confine my request to online resources. How do I acquire engineering data (dimensions, etc) for your strut cartridges?"
KYB: "We don't publish that information for the general public."
Me: "Do you need an NDA or other agreement in place to share the engineering specs? Is this something that resellers can access?"
KYB: *crickets chirping*
KYB: "I'll need to check with a supervisor or I can transfer you to our business relations department."
Me: "Please transfer me"

Next:

Me: "Hello. I am calling to request engineering info on your strut cartridge lines."
Monroe: "Do you have a specific application in mind?"
Me: "Yes but I am interested in a sustainable replacement from a higher volume production vehicle."
Monroe: "Not a problem. If you can give me your email address and phone number we'll send you links to a secure server where you can pick up the info you need."
Me: "Great."
Monroe: "Anything else we can help with?"
Me: "No. That is all for today."
Monroe: "Have a great day and please call or email if you need additional info..."


I had the links in my email inbox in less than an hour.

-Mike O

[icingdeath88]

Cool, keep us posted with what you find.

[jetboy]

Yes, good project!

[injuhneer]

Update II -

I was able to reach a tech rep at Koni who gave me the dimensional AND damping data for a variety of cartridges that are within the range of interest.

-Mike O

[Darren]

Originally Posted by 1986nate

That was an aftermarket option over there FYI

Hiya Nate, I have been in contact with Bilstein (I use them for motorsport) and also my contact in Japan neither can find any reference to a unit made for the Alcyone.
Where did you get this info or can you get part numbers?
Maybe it's from another JDM model that just happens to fit?

Cheers
Darren

[dbarnblatt]

Originally Posted by Darren

Hiya Nate, I have been in contact with Bilstein (I use them for motorsport) and also my contact in Japan neither can find any reference to a unit made for the Alcyone.
Where did you get this info or can you get part numbers?
Maybe it's from another JDM model that just happens to fit?

Cheers
Darren

I have found this site, Bilstein-Japan distributor?

http://www.ennepetal.co.jp/index.html

Here is a direct link to the page listing the struts for the SVX (the first listing):

http://www.ennepetal.co.jp/01ss/poli...per/page1.html

Here is a blogger installing them.

http://blogsvx.exblog.jp/968078

And a nice shot of them: