Hoping for Opinions on this Entry-Level setup before purchase

[Jimmy817]

Lots of awesome info.

I've been lurking the forum for weeks and a lot of the threads on components are old and lacking down-the-road reviews after release luster has worn off.

Because of this thread, I'll take it slow and start off with Hotchkis springs (as they claim to be safe with stock shocks) and front camber bolts to allow an alignment specialist some adjustability.

[Captain Snooze]

You have omitted a crucial bit of information: your tyres of choice.
I am going to beg to differ from @mav1178 by saying sway bars are an inexpensive mod that can have benefit depending on your requirements. They are not the ideal solution but they are inexpensive. Like many other components there's a zillion different bars to choose from; they aren't an either/or option.
Everything's a compromise.

[Jimmy817]

I've got 17x8 rpf1's with 225/45 potenza s04's on the way.

I like the hotchkis package that has springs and sway bars. I think that's what I've settled on to start.

I saw someone say that they have hotchkis springs and the potenza tires and that he likes -2 in front camber.
Will an alignment specialist be able to achieve this with the stock camber bolt?

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

You have omitted a crucial bit of information: your tyres of choice.
I am going to beg to differ from @mav1178 by saying sway bars are an inexpensive mod that can have benefit depending on your requirements. They are not the ideal solution but they are inexpensive. Like many other components there's a zillion different bars to choose from; they aren't an either/or option.
Everything's a compromise.

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by Jimmy817

I've got 17x8 rpf1's with 225/45 potenza s04's on the way.

I like the hotchkis package that has springs and sway bars. I think that's what I've settled on to start.

I saw someone say that they have hotchkis springs and the potenza tires and that he likes -2 in front camber.
Will an alignment specialist be able to achieve this with the stock camber bolt?

I have oem crash bolts and spc camber bolts up front and can get a max of -2.5 up front. lowered 1" on RCE springs.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by Jimmy817

Lots of awesome info.

I've been lurking the forum for weeks and a lot of the threads on components are old and lacking down-the-road reviews after release luster has worn off.

Because of this thread, I'll take it slow and start off with Hotchkis springs (as they claim to be safe with stock shocks) and front camber bolts to allow an alignment specialist some adjustability.

I have Sportlines on my stock struts with SPC crash bolts, and will say I really want Konis. The ride isn't that bad- better than I expected. What is really bothering me is the amount of bobbing my suspension does over the highway, causing that ricer-esque lowering springs look as my HIDs bob up and down with the movement.

It's a bit embarrassing at night. I can't tell during the daytime and my perception of ride quality is, conversely, better during the day. Funny how that works, yea?

You should be good with 1 inch drop (Pro kit, Hotchkis, etc) and stockers, though. I love my sportlines so I will be getting the Koni's and LCAs to correct camber in the rear. I daily drive my 86 100 miles a day over shit Washington state roads, M-F.

[westonhunt]

Originally Posted by Jimmy817

Thank you, Calum and Bergen.

I've got 17x8 rpf1's and 225/45 Potenza S04's on the way.

I feel like the stock suspension is too soft, loose and travels too much. I want more control.

I was thinkin sway bars for the simple fact that it feels like there is too much sideways sway/travel and almost what I would describe as latency above 65mph with stock wheels and tires (actually the back tires are diffrent than front, bought it that way recently).

I'll hold off on the sway bars and hope that the new wheels and tires, little drop and a good alignment will fix that.

So now I'm thinking B8 shocks/struts, hotchkis springs, camber bolts and a good alignment as a good start. I don't mind a stiff ride at all.

I just had 17x8 rpf1's with michelin pss installed and it made a huge difference in feel. It is definitely not soft anymore. The steering has a heavier more planted feel and the response is much quicker.

[Calum]

Originally Posted by Jimmy817

I've got 17x8 rpf1's with 225/45 potenza s04's on the way.

I like the hotchkis package that has springs and sway bars. I think that's what I've settled on to start.

I saw someone say that they have hotchkis springs and the potenza tires and that he likes -2 in front camber.
Will an alignment specialist be able to achieve this with the stock camber bolt?

There's nothing wrong with the hotchkis parts, but you should also look into racecomp engineering's offerings. They did a thread a couple years ago that explained why they chose their spring rates, drop, and bump stops. Its a slightly different tuning philosophy, I'll leave it to you to decided which better fits your goals.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Jimmy817

The setup I'm thinking to run for an entry-level, fun, daily driving/maybe a track day sometime would be the following components:

- ST coilovers
- ST front and rear sway bars
- Raceseng Cascam plates
- SPC rear LCA

The price for this setup is about $1930.

Any comments or concerns about these products individually and/or as a setup?

Can I save some money and go with different camber plates?

Do I need to spend more on the rear LCA?

Thanks so much for any input!

The ST coilovers are comfortable on the street, but I would not recommend even attempting to track with them.

If price is your goal, then you can ditch the Raceseng for a cheaper camber plate. If you want comfort and quality, step up the rest of the components to the same grade as the Racesend cascam plates.

[Firestorm_86]

I got some RSR i-Sports recently. I highly recommend them. Comfortable ride, as good, maybe better than stock. They also give you the option of -1.5 camber up front by reversing the camber plates. Rear camber naturally hits -1 degree or so as you drop the car.

You get what you pay for. I'd recommend a good set of coilovers rather than a mix of cheaper stuff.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Firestorm_86

I'd recommend a good set of coilovers rather than a mix of cheaper stuff.

This gets my vote.

[Panman]

Given what you've said you are looking for, you may want to consider a similar setup to mine:
1. Bilstein B6
2. STI Pink Springs


I'm running on 17x8 Desmond Regamasters (lighter than the RPF1s but near enough) with Nitto Invos for road, and 18x8 Ultraleggeras with 595RS-Rs for track.


I've also got Raceseng Cascams and Hardrace LCAs fitted as I like the ability to dial in or out camber (track reasonably frequently).


My reasoning - I got the springs early in the piece and was more than happy with the rates and the amount of drop but wanted better damping - I figure that I'd rather have high quality dampers/shocks than cheap coilovers.


The LCAs and Camber tops are only there for tuning for track. I haven't fitted, nor do I feel the need for stiffer sway bars with my current setup, if I was doing road only I wouldn't have bothered with the Cascams.