Wanting to upgrade suspension

[tmemz]

I have an 05 lgt and i am looking to upgrade the suspension on it in the next couple months along with getting new rims. I am new here and basically looking for something that overall is good and somewhat easy to do. I am not sure on which route to go with coil overs or struts and springs. But i am looking for advice and also looking not to spend crazy amounts of money but also looking for good results.

[havanisda]

How much u lookin 2 spend?

I would say u should start w/coilovers. There is an intro price on ISC N1s 4

$815 shipped. It's a new company here but they been in Australia 4 awhile.

http://lgtforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117450

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129338

[tmemz]

Wow nice...whats the stance on the ISN's are they any good.. they look great along with the bc's which tons of ppl seem to be buying. if i was able to spend under a grand on a suspension upgrade i would think that's a sure fire steal.

[havanisda]

Originally Posted by tmemz

Wow nice...whats the stance on the ISN's ?

They're ride height adjustable. Check the 2nd link in my post.

[kagenmateer]

What's more important, comfort or performance? And what's the most you'd be willing to spend if something were truly worth it?

[Dookie]

Originally Posted by tmemz

I am new here and basically looking for something that overall is good and somewhat easy to do. I am not sure on which route to go with coil overs or struts and springs.

Coil overs are fairly easy to do since they are preassemble, just take out the oem struts and bolt in the new ones. Then adjust the ride height for proper stance.

Replacing just the springs is cheaper, but it will cost you more time to disassemble the struts using spring compressors.

[SubieChik]

IMO coilovers aren't a very nice ride. I have experience with 3 different kinds and none of them ride as nice as the aftermarket springs on my car.

[2.5sbd]

How difficult is it to remove old struts & replace with coil overs?
These coliovers seem to be a better option if the install is DIY
It seems like the same cost in the end if I bought $525 koni's and had them installed for an extra $300.
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showt...=130257&page=2

[havanisda]

^^ Just outta curiosity SC what coilovers have u experienced?

[SubieChik]

Tein Flex with EDFC, BC Racing, and Megan. The best ones out of those 3 were the Teins....but I just thought the EDFC was cool

[havanisda]

I haven't heard anything bad about the KW v2.

The cheapest I can find new is $1500 shipped tho.

Maybe next year when I get my refund.

[Dookie]

Originally Posted by 2.5sbd

How difficult is it to remove old struts & replace with coil overs?

Not difficult at all.

3 Bolts on top
2 Bolts on the side - 1 bolt disconnect the brake line, the other is the ABS line
2 Bolts on bottom front

Slide out and reinstall new coil overs in reverse order.

[kagenmateer]

I have the Tarmac T1s which are essentially a mildly modified KW Variant 2 and I was told they'd be comfortable...they're not. My $.02

[TSi+WRX]

For me, it's a no-brainer - I'd go with coil-overs, in a split second, for ease-of-install, adjustability, and the extra clearance it offers for wheel/tire combos.

Heck, compared to some of the higher-end strut/spring combos, the price difference isn't even truly all that much.

The problem, for me, specifically?

I live in the Rust Belt.

Since I don't typically obsess about washing my car, particularly in the winter, galvanic corrosion - or parts simply just sticking together from all that grime and grit - can be a problem.

For me, for the way I use Winky (true daily-driver, not tracked/AutoX'ed), coil-overs are thus a dream, a no-go due to real-world practicality concerns.

The same with two-piece brake rotors.

In my case, I'm trading practicality/maintenance for performance.

YMMV.

[havanisda]

But 4 me I'm not gonna get just springs cuz then I'm stuck @ that height.

I drive my car in the winter and I wanna be able 2 get up 2 @ least stock

height then after like March or april set that b!tch back down again.

[Dookie]

To each there own - I enjoy my Tein springs and there's no reason for me to have coil overs since mine is a daily driver and have no plans on racing.

[TSi+WRX]

Originally Posted by havanisda

But 4 me I'm not gonna get just springs cuz then I'm stuck @ that height.

I drive my car in the winter and I wanna be able 2 get up 2 @ least stock

height then after like March or april set that b!tch back down again.

^ Be sure to get quality units, then, and also clean often.

That's, ideally, what I want, too - but a part of the equation is how corrosion and grime can affect the critical adjustment components.

I'm not averse to spending the money...but realistically speaking, I am unable to devote the time necessary to maintain the components.

[2.5sbd]

I just bought koni sports and awaiting delivery $525 delivered
http://www.shox.com/appguide/shoxsho...ctsdisplay.php

[tmemz]

i think i wanna go the coilover route

[TSi+WRX]

^ KWs are going to be the way to go, if you face winter road-treatments:

http://www.kw-suspension.com/us/kw_inox_line.php

The salt-spray simulation is a good one, but remember that real-world road-use can be even more harsh. Starting off with the right components is a good way to insure that you'll minimize potential problems down the line, but even with "stainless," you'll want to clean your vehicle as often as possible, focusing specifically on the components of-interest.

Without proper maintenance, even the best components will fall to weathering.