Question about coilover fitment.

[Trev]

Alright, let the flame war start, let me explain myself before i get killed with responses about this. No i don't want to slam my car, no im not going hella flush. No i do not nor have interest in racing my car. I already have 2 blown struts. So suspension needs attention. My 205/55/16's are getting near to low tread, so new tires soon. I know i can run 215's right now with no rub, i really wanna run 225 or 235  (probably just 225) Now i see these race land coil over's http://www.racelandus.com/p-127-coilover-kit-for-subaru-impreza-rs-wrx-sti-2nd-gen.aspx yeah yeah, race land sucks blah blah, i know this, it doesn't bother me. Theres no way im spending a grand on coil overs. I don't drive my car like its a beast, i may take a corner a little fast when bored but im not into all that. Rough ride? Oh well.. its a Subaru.. My question is before i keep rambling is what top hat (camber plates?) do i need in order to run these coil overs because there for a 2nd gen.. I tried searching on rs25 and such, but just came up with flaming... Any help?

[Kavik]

I'm all for finding cheaper parts instead of spending a bundle on brand names in many, many cases....however, I think this might be pushing it a little, those look pretty horrible.  
I also don't have a problem with people running coilovers on their daily drivers, I'm working on getting a set for my girlfriends daily, and considering getting another set for my other car (for clearance reasons)
So I won't bash you, but I can't reply without bashing those particular ones just a bit....that hardware up top looks cheap as hell, I'll pray for you that those bolts never snap, and that the off centered, unusually small, center top bolt doesn't come loose on you.  Again, sorry, but it had to be said.

That aside:
  Is it possible to just swap top hats on coilovers like you can on stock struts?  I would almost think that different designs between companies might make that a little difficult, but that's just a guess.
  Secondly, you would have to change both the front and rears, right?  I don't know too many places that sell rear camber plates and nothing cheap.

I have a feeling by the time you buy two sets of camber plates and get these to fit your car you're going to be more in the $7-800 range....in which case, there are better, proven options out there

[Turbaru]

Found this on nasty if you want to stay with struts

"Are you sure you put the correct washer in so it is hitting the top hat and not the top of the strut where the threads end. A noise is most likely from a top hat either being worn out or not tight on the strut. You may want to pull the rear struts off and see if you can wiggle one of the top hats around. The order of assembly should be 02-03 Strut with bottom spring perch, 02-03 spring, 93-01 rubber piece on top of the spring, 93-01 top hat, lock washer, top hat locking nut."

Those coilovers do look a little ill. All I came up with are BC's, Racecomp Tarmac II's and Tein and they are all loot.

[Turbaru]

On second thought, slam that motha lova, tuck the shit out of it, chop those springs and drag sparks dude!     Just kiddin'

[Trev]

I'm all for finding cheaper parts instead of spending a bundle on brand names in many, many cases....however, I think this might be pushing it a little, those look pretty horrible.  
I also don't have a problem with people running coilovers on their daily drivers, I'm working on getting a set for my girlfriends daily, and considering getting another set for my other car (for clearance reasons)
So I won't bash you, but I can't reply without bashing those particular ones just a bit....that hardware up top looks cheap as hell, I'll pray for you that those bolts never snap, and that the off centered, unusually small, center top bolt doesn't come loose on you.  Again, sorry, but it had to be said.

That aside:
  Is it possible to just swap top hats on coilovers like you can on stock struts?  I would almost think that different designs between companies might make that a little difficult, but that's just a guess.
  Secondly, you would have to change both the front and rears, right?  I don't know too many places that sell rear camber plates and nothing cheap.

I have a feeling by the time you buy two sets of camber plates and get these to fit your car you're going to be more in the $7-800 range....in which case, there are better, proven options out there

Your fine, your not bashing them like normal people, you have an actual reason, they do look cheap, my friend has a miata and he loves his, but thats a small car.. thats the trouble im having, i don't know what can be changed and what fits and yada yada... unfortunately, still searching..

[Trev]

On second thought, slam that motha lova, tuck the shit out of it, chop those springs and drag sparks dude!     Just kiddin'

I don't want to go quite THAT low... but thats the reason why i want coilovers, so i can set the ride height.

[Nismonic]

I wouldn't completely write off Raceland coilovers off as junk despite being cheap. I read an article in Grassroots Motorsports not too long ago where they picked up a set of Racelands for a 1st Gen Miata project and ended up really liking them. I wish I could site my sources here... buy I just cant seem to find the article this morning.       

[Kavik]

I just read through 12 pages of reviews, heard about that Grassroots article, but also hear that there seems to be no gurantee on the consistency of the springs. 

General consensus seems to be they do fine if all you care about is lowering the car and aren't concerned with improving (or worried about worsening) performance

[deadlydave]

I don't want to go quite THAT low... but thats the reason why i want coilovers, so i can set the ride height.

FYI every time you change ride height you need an alignment. 

[crAppAchic0]

I believe the main issue with running bugeye-specific rears is that the camber is way off- you will probably need some camber bolts for the rears to even things back out.  Otherwise, I believe it's the rear upper strut mount swap/mix sequence that Turbaru mentioned above- and I believe you're good to go...

But don't take my word on that- I've done front WRX struts on an older legacy before, but not on a GC Impreza.

[Trev]

I wouldn't completely write off Raceland coilovers off as junk despite being cheap. I read an article in Grassroots Motorsports not too long ago where they picked up a set of Racelands for a 1st Gen Miata project and ended up really liking them. I wish I could site my sources here... buy I just cant seem to find the article this morning.       

Exactly, i've heard good things with miata's. But then again, they are really small cars...

I just read through 12 pages of reviews, heard about that Grassroots article, but also hear that there seems to be no gurantee on the consistency of the springs. 

General consensus seems to be they do fine if all you care about is lowering the car and aren't concerned with improving (or worried about worsening) performance

Damn, you like to read eh? 

Like i stated, im not going slammed, just lower, and i wanted a little wider tires, my struts need replacing as it is, so this is a thought...

FYI every time you change ride height you need an alignment. 

Did not know that.. but i'll most likely set the height, get it aligned and leave it..

I believe the main issue with running bugeye-specific rears is that the camber is way off- you will probably need some camber bolts for the rears to even things back out.  Otherwise, I believe it's the rear upper strut mount swap/mix sequence that Turbaru mentioned above- and I believe you're good to go...

But don't take my word on that- I've done front WRX struts on an older legacy before, but not on a GC Impreza.

Gf impreza 

Haha, sorry, umm, hmm, never knew bugeyes were that different, just thought different headlights...

[deadlydave]

Haha, sorry, umm, hmm, never knew bugeyes were that different, just thought different headlights...

Yea, each time the chassis code changes, so does the big stuff.  So 93-01, 02-07, 08-11 are the year groupings for those cars.

[Trev]

So much to learn!

[stylesrex]

Ricelands!

<picard>

[crxgator]

they are probably no different than the megan, ksport, helix crap.

[Kavik]

ummm,  except that these have a pretty low rate for the rear springs, 0 damper force adjustment,and I haven't found more than half a dozen people who have given any actual first hand reviews of them....and even those people admitted all they cared about was the lowering, not the handling.

 I'm still not sure why everyone is so quick to rag on the Megan's.  I've got a set in my car, and while I don't have anything to compare them to besides strut/springs setups, I've had no complaints about them.
 I'm sure there's some $5k setup out there that would make me hate them, but I don't need that any more than 90% of the people here do.  The Megan's cost no more than the KYB AGX's and prodrive springs with Group N top mounts, but offer more adjustability in every way, ride as nice and handle sharper.  

Although, I'm going to try a set of ISC's on my girlfriends car to see how they compare at the same price range (at the suggestion of Josh at ImportImage), currently I would happily recommend the Megan's to anyone who doesn't want to spend $2k on a set of coils.    Who knows, maybe these will end up being the coils that are 'passable' for people who don't want to spend $900.....I'm just not too hopeful about that.
 

Trev, if you do get these I hope you give a detailed review pre-install, initial impressions, and periodically over time

[Trev]

Aslong as i can figure out a way to mount them, i will. 

[phong]

I'm still not sure why everyone is so quick to rag on the Megan's.  I've got a set in my car, and while I don't have anything to compare them to besides strut/springs setups, I've had no complaints about them.
 I'm sure there's some $5k setup out there that would make me hate them, but I don't need that any more than 90% of the people here do.  The Megan's cost no more than the KYB AGX's and prodrive springs with Group N top mounts, but offer more adjustability in every way, ride as nice and handle sharper.  

I think the reason so many people have a problem with Megan/Ksport/Helix/BC is that most people purchase them for looks alone.  The "hardcore motorsports gurus" just can't deal with people buying car parts based solely/primarily upon ascetics.  Personally, I just do not understand why people would not save up ~$200.00 more dollars for a proper Koni/GC setup.  I chalk a good bit of it up to I.G. syndrome and laziness that plagues the US.

Trev-An additional concern with these low buck coilovers is durability.  You can forget about off-roading of any sort and I would imagine even rough dirt roads would result in an early demise for those low buck units.  I think the picture below supports the argument for staying with a durable spring/strut setup.

[Kavik]

point of curiosity: what's I.G. syndrome?

[crAppAchic0]

they are probably no different than the megan, ksport, helix crap.

Pretty much my same sentiments.  Good to use, as long as you understand that you're not getting the same thing (quality, functionality, durablility) as a set of Koni/GC's, AST's, or something to that effect.

Just a good example- I've got two blown rear OEM struts on GC Impreza-  I'm looking for a functional replacements; it's my DD, so I'm not planning on shelling out any crazy amount for anything special on it.  I found a set of Ksports that were dirt cheap (whole other story).  Guess what's going on the car (as soon as I get a chance)?

[phong]

point of curiosity: what's I.G. syndrome?

Instant Gratification 

[cazwrx187]

point of curiosity: what's I.G. syndrome?

Instant Gratification

EDIT: Beat me to it lol

[Kavik]

oh. Derrr

[Trev]

That's actually the reason I want to lower my car honestly. I've exploded 2 cvd cups, 2 struts. Couple inner fenders all from off roading and mudding I just need to stay away from it. Haha

[Kavik]

but do you honestly think you will if you have these though?  Or one day will you say to yourself "It'll be okay just this once, it's pretty smooth in that spot over there"