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Kostamojen · 02-12-2016, 05:24 PM

As promised, feedback on my little project, converting the front springs of the B14's over to Linear springs...

Parts used -

KW take-off Upper Spring perches from Racecomp: http://www.racecompengineering.com/i...bled-sets.html

Swift Springs from FRsport: Z60-203-040 (60mm, 8" tall, 224lbs)

Pics:

Before -

After -

As you can see, the Swift springs are much smaller than the progressive springs. At first I thought I would need to raise the perch half an inch to compensate for the shorter springs, but that was NOT the case! Keep the spring perches where you have them at if you do this, just swap the springs and adjust if needed!

Impressions -

The main reason I did this was that with the B14's I've noticed since I've had them that they have a hesitation with initial turn in. IE the steering actually felt unresponsive to start with, and then after a split second finally responds. It actually made the car have less steering wheel feedback IMO.

The second reason was for the ride, which some people have said is "bumpy" with the B14's. I knew it couldn't be because of the Bilstein shocks, cause they are quality shocks themselves. It had to be the springs!

As soon as I pulled out of the driveway, I IMMEDIATELY noticed quicker steering response!!! The steering feel itself had improved quite a bit, there was NO MORE hesitation during initial turn in! I test drove the car around the block and indeed it has improved.

After that, I drove it on some roads I commute every day on and the ride has improved as well albeit not as noticeable. I test drove it on the freeway and also, the ride has improved. Driving in a straight line on the freeway actually feels better too.

Upon further test driving, the back end still likes to step out nicely which is what I really liked about the B14 setup (always very controllable). There is a little more initial understeer that I have to be cautious of because of the lack of give with the first flick of the wheel, but other than that I'm VERY happy with the results.

I don't plan on changing the rear springs anytime soon, but I could easily say that running a 325 or 350lbs spring would work well if you want to keep the rear end more planted. My primary concern is with a ride more capable of dealing with rough roads and daily driving than pure track driving.

P.S. I don't run camber plates up front, I run camber bolts plus crash bolts on the strut. I do run the Subaru Group-N tophats though.

02-12-2016, 05:24 PM	#87
Kostamojen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Drives: 1993 Impreza w/ WRX Swap + FWD! Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 2,071 Thanks: 217 Thanked 952 Times in 500 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	As promised, feedback on my little project, converting the front springs of the B14's over to Linear springs... Parts used - KW take-off Upper Spring perches from Racecomp: http://www.racecompengineering.com/i...bled-sets.html Swift Springs from FRsport: Z60-203-040 (60mm, 8" tall, 224lbs) Pics: Before - After - As you can see, the Swift springs are much smaller than the progressive springs. At first I thought I would need to raise the perch half an inch to compensate for the shorter springs, but that was NOT the case! Keep the spring perches where you have them at if you do this, just swap the springs and adjust if needed! Impressions - The main reason I did this was that with the B14's I've noticed since I've had them that they have a hesitation with initial turn in. IE the steering actually felt unresponsive to start with, and then after a split second finally responds. It actually made the car have less steering wheel feedback IMO. The second reason was for the ride, which some people have said is "bumpy" with the B14's. I knew it couldn't be because of the Bilstein shocks, cause they are quality shocks themselves. It had to be the springs! As soon as I pulled out of the driveway, I IMMEDIATELY noticed quicker steering response!!! The steering feel itself had improved quite a bit, there was NO MORE hesitation during initial turn in! I test drove the car around the block and indeed it has improved. After that, I drove it on some roads I commute every day on and the ride has improved as well albeit not as noticeable. I test drove it on the freeway and also, the ride has improved. Driving in a straight line on the freeway actually feels better too. Upon further test driving, the back end still likes to step out nicely which is what I really liked about the B14 setup (always very controllable). There is a little more initial understeer that I have to be cautious of because of the lack of give with the first flick of the wheel, but other than that I'm VERY happy with the results. I don't plan on changing the rear springs anytime soon, but I could easily say that running a 325 or 350lbs spring would work well if you want to keep the rear end more planted. My primary concern is with a ride more capable of dealing with rough roads and daily driving than pure track driving. P.S. I don't run camber plates up front, I run camber bolts plus crash bolts on the strut. I do run the Subaru Group-N tophats though.