WRX Group 4 Coil Overs

[Maddog]

Folks
I recently fitted a Prototype set of WL Group 4 Coil overs to an MY99 WRX. Custom King springs fitted to this set up with 250lb front and 200lb.

A few questions particularly for Autokhanas: What would be the optimum ride height. Keeping in mind the car does very little road miles. Currently set at 320mm front / 330mm rear. Idea being to improve turn in, thoughts appreciated?

Other WL bits including the Front top strut brace, 4 Point front lower strut brace. 22mm fr/ 24mm adj rear Sways with Anti Lift Kit and WL links all round. WL Camber bolts front and rear giving -2 1/2 deg front and -2.0 deg rear camber. Toe neutral front and rear. Yep, I am becoming a real White Line Groupie

What can you tell me about the Coil over adjustments that are optimum for an Autokhana. The setup is the hard part. Currently I have the settings on 12 for the front and 10 for the rear? Can you explain the effect the adjustments have with respect to the suspensions overall performance?
Sporting regards
Maddog :D

[Wojtek]

Hi,
Firstly, I have a couple of questions...
What tyres are you using, and why did you opt for softer spring rates, especially when you are racing? Also, did you adjust/count your shock settings from hard or soft?

Wojtek.

[Maddog]

Tyres used are Bridgestone RE540R 225/45/16 on standard MY99 rims.

I purchased the set, pre loved, just before Christmas, being first sold 26th September 2003. A local tyre shop worked with the original owner to develop the best possible performance in a similar model MY99 (Sti). At the time I checked with WL and they confirmed this set was a prototype set built for the GD model and not my MY99 GC. The original testing apparently showed a benefit using the lighter springs, given the weight difference between models... The original test car won its Series and several other events before being sold with the G4 coil overs removed.

Adjustment count was from 1 soft, counting up in a Clockwise direction. I think the maximum range was 15 front and 14 rear.
Thanks in advance
Maddog

[Wojtek]

Hi,
Thanks for all the info. The reason why I asked about the tyres, is that they generally determine the suspension stiffness required based on the grip available. With the RE540R we would suggest our standard Group 4 spring rates, together with big sway bars.
Although the idea behind the front to rear rake that you have set is sound, I think it is a little too much, keep in mind that factory heights are about 10mm higher at the front, so you have lowered the front by 20mm more relative to the rear. Other things you can try are different whel alignment settings. More negative front camber, and front and rear toe out. How much will be up to you to test, based on how the can behaves, tyre wear, and ideally tyre temps.

Regards,
Wojtek.

[Maddog]

Thanks for that. Previously had the WL Superlow Springs and original shocks. That provided 315mm rear and 335 Front. Forget about ride quality! Surprisingly stable when sideways but a bit reluctant to turn in.

Looking forward to using the Group 4s, any thing else seemed to be a compromise.
Regards

Maddog

[Brett Middleton]

we have these on our rally car for tarmac spec, all i can say is GREAT STUFF!

[Maddog]

Brett
Even if it is a trade secret can I ask what ride height you run front and rear? Given your car is the GC model what spring rates did you go with 275f/225r ?

One second a lap faster from just the shocks at Wakefield speaks for it self. An amazing ride quality with superb performance....as the advertising says "You can have it all if your serious"