So sway bars, end links, bracket reinforcement, and possibly roll center adjustment kit will be first. Anyone have any problems with Perrin as far as rusting. I know WRXNFX you said your sway bar is still in good shape. How many years on it so far? I'm kind of leaning toward Perrin now that legacychick pointed out they are adjustable. Kartboy endlinks but I'm checking with MSI to see if I can get their endlinks with the lifetime warranty.
Now back to the spring vs coilover topic. I have been bouncing spring vs coilovers back and forth for awhile now and have been researching the issue far before I bought the car and I can't help get myself around the fact that I feel coilovers are a better investment. This is my current back and forth thinking about the two.
Coilovers:I'd be able to make on the fly dampening changes for my spirited weekend drives through the twisty roads and turn it down when the doing my daily commute. If I went with coilovers I can properly account for my wider tires on the legacy. I can adjust the height of the car to account for the season and my driving style during that season. Coilovers are higher in price but can be rebuilt usually cheaper than new springs/strut combo would cost. I can sell the stock struts and springs to recoup the cost.
(Edit) Possible coilovers: BC Racing BR 8k/6k , RCE Tarmac 1s 400/400
Springs:Springs might be cheaper but springs aren't paired for the struts and won't ever be a perfect match. On that same note springs are a fixed item with no room to play if things don't set right. The closest matched spring is imported JDM STI Pink springs since the Spec.B struts are JDM GT Rev.C struts. They are about $500 without shipping included and would come from Japan. Springs are cheaper.
(Edit) Possible springs: JDM STI Pinks , Ralliteks
Both require an alignment. I know I got a lot more in my head about this topic but I'm trying to process all my thoughts. Any feedback on these thoughts?
legacychick wrote:According to Perrin's website, they are adjustable. Also make sure the rear sway bar comes with some sort of bracket. I'm sure you've heard of some stock brackets that bent when they upgraded their sways. Perrin used to include them with the rear bar, but I'm not sure if they still do. AVO also makes them, but they are $80!
BTW, if you get coilovers, will you be selling your bilsteins?
Oh, and the Perrin rear sway bar is only $90 on Perrin's site right now!
I just double checked on the Perrin and they are adjustable as you mentioned so I stand corrected. Perrin recently stopped production of the 22mm rear sway bar (so I've been told) for the Legacy so if I go with a Perrin setup and wanted matching front and back I'd have to go with 25mm f & r. I was aware of the bracket issue but didn't know AVO also makes the replacement bracket.
As far as selling the bilsteins, I most likely would as I plan on having this car for many years. I'm also liking that $89.99 price on the rear sway bar from perrin. Very tempting!
Road Info:For those wondering where this twisty road is it is Mastin Dr. between 79th and 83rd street in Overland Park. When you get closer to 83rd street it turns into 3 nice curves that are fun when going 30MPH if you follow the outside of the road. Go slow though during the normal day though as there is an elementary school at the entrance to where it starts the first curve when heading toward 83rd. It's only a 1/10 of a mile at best but it's still fun after a long days work.
In my Saturn I can easily take the corners at 35MPH no question as to my cars ability to deliver me safely through the turns.
