best suspension set-up

Handling, suspension, and brake tuning discussions
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WaveAction
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Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:34 am

best suspension set-up

Post by WaveAction »

hey all, some of you might know that I'm getting a vibe with in a few weeks, and my question is, whats the best suspensions for the vibes? i know with my fire it was koni reds/yellows with eibach pro-kit or sportlines. i'm looking to get it all done sometime around may or so. thanks in advance
CAN-AWD-VIBE
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Post by CAN-AWD-VIBE »

coil-overs or just lowering springs... tein, hotchkis, eibach, trd, whoever, its up to you on that one.get some front and rear swaybars and you should be carving corners nicely
CAN-AWD-VIBE03 Neptune AWDInjen CAI, Hotchkis springs, custom magnaflow exhaust w/4" tip, tint, window deflectors, stubby antenna, 3pc Mr. Grille, foglight conversion mod, Grafxwerks front & steering wheels overlays, Injen oil cap, strut tower brace, P225/45R17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, 17" ADR Sokudos
WaveAction
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Post by WaveAction »

well i'd probably go with lowering springs, but whats the best struts go with? does it depend on the spring
Mavrik
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Re: (CAN-AWD-VIBE)

Post by Mavrik »

A good set up is TEIN S-tech springs which will drop the car about 2 inches. Complete that with a front strut bar, a rear sway bar and those rims and it will be night and day difference from stock. I have that set up on my Vibe with 17" rims, very little body roll and I autocross my Vibe in the summer time, great fun.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
WaveAction
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Post by WaveAction »

k cool..so TEIN S-tech springs..but what struts? gotta have struts..dont wanna use the stock ones like a few of my buddies have for their rides
Raven
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Re: (WaveblueVibe)

Post by Raven »

I think Koni makes the only aftermarket struts. They are pricey though. I think Tein coilovers would be cheaper than buying springs and struts, and you can adjust the height and the shock dampening. The stock struts are KYB and are actually excellent struts.
damronjr
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Re: best suspension set-up (WaveblueVibe)

Post by damronjr »

Air bags!Good for all occasions!
Jason Damron, San Diego, CA, Supercharged 2004 Vibe base - Gone to the wind My Vibe pics on Cardomain2009 Chevrolet HHR SS!
nuvibe
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Post by nuvibe »

I have the Tein S-tech with the stock struts and it rides better than stock. I have no complaints..... nuvibe
northvibe
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Post by northvibe »

I have Hotchkis springs with stock struts and it is a nice upgrade from stock I also have a TRD strut tower bar which helps, but in a year ill be getting sway bars
NascarXprt
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Re: (nuvibe)

Post by NascarXprt »

yea on these cars you really dont need to change struts just get the lowering springs, strut bar brace, and rear sway bar and your set.
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Mavrik
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Re: (NascarXprt)

Post by Mavrik »

going on 4 years next spring on the stock struts with tein.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
WaveAction
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Post by WaveAction »

alright cool. thanks for all the info..i know with the sunfires..the struts were crap so when my buddies lowered their cars, they're all bouncy and stuff..i'd like a very stiff suspension system...if i do get aftermarket struts, i'd want adjustables, soft and hard..like the Koni yellows are..and airbags are way to pricey for me..and to much maintanance..i've seen many airbag systems mess up..could run over something sharp..tire throws it up at the bag...then you're finished til you buy a new bag..which is like what, $400 or something?
damronjr
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Re: (WaveblueVibe)

Post by damronjr »

Quote, originally posted by WaveblueVibe »alright cool. thanks for all the info..i know with the sunfires..the struts were crap so when my buddies lowered their cars, they're all bouncy and stuff..i'd like a very stiff suspension system...if i do get aftermarket struts, i'd want adjustables, soft and hard..like the Koni yellows are..and airbags are way to pricey for me..and to much maintanance..i've seen many airbag systems mess up..could run over something sharp..tire throws it up at the bag...then you're finished til you buy a new bag..which is like what, $400 or something?Don't know, had it on for over a year and no pops yet! It would be pretty friggin hard to throw something that just happened to be sharp and just happen to be directly at and hard enough into the bag to pop it. I don't think they cost that much either, but I got my full kit for $500! They do mess up, but if you get it installed professionally you shouldn't have any problems, and properly maintain them (which I don't ).
Jason Damron, San Diego, CA, Supercharged 2004 Vibe base - Gone to the wind My Vibe pics on Cardomain2009 Chevrolet HHR SS!
DopeVibeGT
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Re: (WaveblueVibe)

Post by DopeVibeGT »

If you want performance, Tein Stech is what I've heard. I need to get mine installed sometime in spring. Have Eibachs on the GA and they are nice, even with stock shocks/struts.Airbags are good for show, thats about it IMHO.
Pictures of my ride!!'03 Vibe GTMy AED GA!Work in progress
damronjr
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Re: (DopeVibeGT)

Post by damronjr »

Quote, originally posted by DopeVibeGT »Airbags are good for show, thats about it IMHO.To be honest with you, you're probably right, there! They have been good to keep me from completely destroying my front bumper, but otherwise have been more of a hassle than anything.
Jason Damron, San Diego, CA, Supercharged 2004 Vibe base - Gone to the wind My Vibe pics on Cardomain2009 Chevrolet HHR SS!
Mavrik
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Re: (damronjr)

Post by Mavrik »

Yeah bags are cool but I've never seen anyone autocross with them heh.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
Mrizzle05
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Re: (Mavrik)

Post by Mrizzle05 »

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »Yeah bags are cool but I've never seen anyone autocross with them heh.Prolly cuz they havent lived through the rollover to tell...
Must resist.... V... Tec.... Temptation... to strong... "WARNING: Genvibe is a very addictive website... constant use can result in car modification and a lowering of your bank account. use with extreme caution!http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2298639
WaveAction
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Post by WaveAction »

well as most of you only do have lowering springs..i'll probably go with that route..and worst comes to worst, can pick up an aftermarket strut IF my struts do blow
Mavrik
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Re: (Mrizzle05)

Post by Mavrik »

Quote, originally posted by Mrizzle05 »Prolly cuz they havent lived through the rollover to tell... Your probably right heh.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
vibe Freak
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Re: (WaveblueVibe)

Post by vibe Freak »

Well if your a ball-er, you can always get the teins and new KYB'S at the same time.
RFP1 17x8 , AFE Cold Air Intake, Helix Power Tower Plus, Eibach Sportline Springs with Tokico Blues, Progress sway bar, Alutec OEM Sized Lightened Crank Pulley full custom Magnaflow 2.5 header back exhaust and B&M tranny cooler E/S inserts Unichip.
harryyiii
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Re: best suspension set-up (WaveblueVibe)

Post by harryyiii »

I have the Progress rear bar and it is great. About $100. ALmost eliminates understeer. 1/2 hour install. Designed to work with the front bar, The Hotchkiss set will reduce roll more, but will not make it understeer less. The rear bar is thicker than the Progress, but the front bar is much bigger than stock, so it is balanced like adding the Progress with the stock front bar. This is 3 times the cost, 6 times the installation time, for perhaps 25% more improvement.For springs, I have not yet decided. I am currently leaning towards H&R Sport. They drop a reasonable 1-1/2", and are 20% stiffer front and back. This should not induce any additional understeer. Unfortunately, no one on the site has indicated that they have these springs.I measured the ground clearance under the Vibe at 7". This is not a lot for a very high car. My son's Neon, which is a very low car, has 6". Dropping ground clearance to 4-1/2" seems too radical for me. I have attached a copy of my spring research.

Attached files Springs.xls (14 KB) 
WaveAction
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Post by WaveAction »

wow you went all out huh harryyiii? thanks for the info..i'll look into it some more...i wont be shopping for springs anytime soon..maybe around march or so
vibe Freak
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Re: (WaveblueVibe)

Post by vibe Freak »

Just did the tein H springs with new KYB's and progress sway bar. In a nut shell WOW. The car is on rails now. It is so fun to drive I would say . The stock struts work dead after only 50,000 miles on stock springs. The back end of the car use to squat like a 240z on take off from the light. The ride is fantastic I would say better than stock. I will try to get pic's up soon. Dominic
RFP1 17x8 , AFE Cold Air Intake, Helix Power Tower Plus, Eibach Sportline Springs with Tokico Blues, Progress sway bar, Alutec OEM Sized Lightened Crank Pulley full custom Magnaflow 2.5 header back exhaust and B&M tranny cooler E/S inserts Unichip.
vibe Freak
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Re: (vibe Freak)

Post by vibe Freak »

Just a couple shots of the Vibe with the new suspension
RFP1 17x8 , AFE Cold Air Intake, Helix Power Tower Plus, Eibach Sportline Springs with Tokico Blues, Progress sway bar, Alutec OEM Sized Lightened Crank Pulley full custom Magnaflow 2.5 header back exhaust and B&M tranny cooler E/S inserts Unichip.
vibe Freak
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Re: (vibe Freak)

Post by vibe Freak »

RFP1 17x8 , AFE Cold Air Intake, Helix Power Tower Plus, Eibach Sportline Springs with Tokico Blues, Progress sway bar, Alutec OEM Sized Lightened Crank Pulley full custom Magnaflow 2.5 header back exhaust and B&M tranny cooler E/S inserts Unichip.
NascarXprt
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Re: (vibe Freak)

Post by NascarXprt »

looks real Nice and clean.
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vibe Freak
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Re: (NascarXprt)

Post by vibe Freak »

Thanks, it really handles well for whats on it. I am very happy with how it sucks up the bumps with out any problems. I wanted to show what the Tein H springs look like on the vibe. This is thanks to Brad who hooked me up with the parts.
RFP1 17x8 , AFE Cold Air Intake, Helix Power Tower Plus, Eibach Sportline Springs with Tokico Blues, Progress sway bar, Alutec OEM Sized Lightened Crank Pulley full custom Magnaflow 2.5 header back exhaust and B&M tranny cooler E/S inserts Unichip.
NascarXprt
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Re: (vibe Freak)

Post by NascarXprt »

yea ill be getting that rear sway bar next and will deff. go to Brad to get it.
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My '04 Garage - My '06 Garage - My '09 GT Garage
November 2006 MOTM / February 2007 VOTM / April 2010 VOTM / June 2011 VOTM
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