Just do koni inserts and you have your stock strut body but with better internals/dampers. Even on stock springs they are a significant upgrade.

Never tried mine with the stock springs (the OE dampers made it 65-70 k-miles, not bad), but in my experience, I'd think stock springs would be over damped by Konis.

some dude did research on this .. take a look

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr … ?t=1358292

AbACUZ wrote:

some dude did research on this .. take a look

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr … ?t=1358292

Sadly, no real research on the matching of damping rates to spring rates.  FWIW, someone in that post said that they thought that Koni's on their STi Pinks rode "softer" than stock when set to 1/4 turn from full soft.  I question that.  My experience on Prodrive Blues (progressive rate) is even at full soft, the ride is notably "busier" than stock (but better snubbed down).  The damping rate matches better at +1/2 front, +1/4 rear, but it's not "stock" soft, just some of the hobby horse (under damped) motion is damped out. That being said, at least for me, the ride is daily driver acceptable, and much more snubbed down (excess motion is absorbed rather than resulting in oscillations, which is what the stock car did), not harsh, but motions are quick, but overall it's certainly not as refined as say a stock GTi, which is rather well damped stock without any ride harshness, something the Germans on the whole seem to have gotten down pretty well.

Snaab9-2 wrote:

MindBlowin03 wrote:

What's wrong with just buying KYB GR-2 struts?

Nothing at all - just seeing what my best option is.

Are the WRX wagon struts going to be the same as the Saabaru ones?  I cannot find anything listed for the Saabaru on Tirerack but they have the KYB GR-2s for the WRX at what looks to be a good price.

I know stock, our springs are stiffer and our dampers softer.... but I have no idea with the KYB's.....

I have seen different numbers but I personally installed the WRX wagon struts without issue.  They had different part numbers but were much cheaper.

Also, if you decide on the KYB setup then check out Autopartswarehouse.com.  They have coupon codes online that make their price unbeatable.

Last edited by MindBlowin03 (2012-07-28 07:51:58)

Not sure - I can't tell anything via Google as well.  Perhaps this would be the best option?

Scargo wrote:

Never tried mine with the stock springs (the OE dampers made it 65-70 k-miles, not bad), but in my experience, I'd think stock springs would be over damped by Konis.

I thought that too, I saw a WRX at a local autocross (GRB though) with stock springs and koni dampers and you could tell it handled better than the other GRB wrx's who were running stock.
Koni's are an expensive alternative, and would require a lot more work than a bolting up a new strut. The performance is worth it however in my opinion.

Last edited by 2JZ (2012-11-15 12:42:53)

2JZ wrote:

Scargo wrote:

Never tried mine with the stock springs (the OE dampers made it 65-70 k-miles, not bad), but in my experience, I'd think stock springs would be over damped by Konis.

I thought that too, I saw a WRX at a local autocross (GRB though) with stock springs and koni dampers and you could tell it handled better than the other GRB wrx's who were running stock.
Koni's are an expensive alternative, and would require a lot more work than a bolting up a new strut. The performance is worth it however in my opinion.

FWIW, I ran Tokico Illuminate 5's on my stock class Mk2 GTi for years.  Worked fairly well on course, okay on the track and not so well on the street. The shocks basically became the springs. Things were nearly over damped even in the softest setting (the Illuminate 5s adjusted both jounce and rebound so here the Konis could do better). Made the car uncomfortable to drive, except to and from events. You could drive it, you just didn't want to. I realize Konis (which only adjust in rebound) aren't Tokicos, and an A2 Golf isn't a GD Impreza (much, much stiffer and heavier platform), but the rep (and my experience with my Konis) of Konis makes me think that Konis on a stock springed car will not make for a very pleasant car. Quite possibly better than my GTi was (for the reasons mentioned) but not exactly pleasant. If you want a perfect match of dampers to ANY spring set, if you have the basic parameters (common springs, well known car) for a small additional fee (last I checked, $30/damper) Bilstein will custom valve their dampers for your car, if out of the ordinary, you may need spring rates, corner weights, etc.  but that would be pricey compared to things like G2s, etc.

From my experience with the Konis in the strut-chop method, a-la E36 M3 it felt to me at full soft they were softer and would plow through the stroke just barely faster than the stockers I replaced that had 62k miles on them. 1/3 or a 1/4 turn from full soft they were completely ahead of the stock struts and were not only as comfortable but controlled the weight of the car much better. Best I can do subjectively on that subject.

By 1/2 to 3/4 turn they were very streetable, but taunt. Beyond that was not very advantageous for the street.

All this to say I have no idea how koni designs their stock replacement shocks, but if it's similar to how they worked before its the direction I'd like to go. I really liked they way they felt.

It, however, is not the cheapest nor easiest route 

Last edited by tlow98 (2012-11-15 13:48:05)

I just blew a strut... and seeing my budget is tight... I have the option of putting on the same year Impreza RS Strut/Spring assembly (for all 4 wheels)... I realize the spring will not be as stiff, probably a bit more soft... but this set up up should bolt in fine? Anyone out there done a similar swap out possibly from a WRX?

Money is tight and I just had other repairs done... so I will do the work my self to save even more money. And the fact they are already assembled will help me out even better.

Anyone have any thoughts?