Sports Pack or Weekend Racer kit?

[drasnian]

Hi there.

The car is a MY00 WRX wagon with a Whiteline handling kit. The standard shocks and springs have been on duty for 130,000 km and are well and truly dead. My question is which product I should choose as an upgrade.

The Sports Pack looks like a good choice. But what is the difference between that and the Weekend Racer kit (KSUB02SX)?

Another question: Do both of these options involve a strut insert?

When I asked a local suspension workshop about having Whiteline shocks and springs supplied and fitted, he asked me if I wanted KYB shocks, saying that the official Whiteline ones are the same but dearer. He quoted $1200 front and back (with KYBs). I've heard also that Whiteline uses a Koni adjustable shock in the Sports Pack. So what would you say to all that, and what would be the difference (felt in wallet and on road) between the KYB and Koni monotubes in combination with the Whiteline comfort springs?

Are the WRX OEM shocks mono- or twintube?

Thanks heaps,
Simon.

[Jim]

G'day Simon

I would imagine that you're right about the 130K shocks, thats a long time to stay in good shape for a performance application.

Overall, I'm not sure where you are accessing this car kit information as KSUB02SX is no longer published in any fact sheet that we know of so its effectively discontinued. Either way, I guess the main point still relates to the shocks. We typically used reworked Koni inserts that were Sport rated and externally adjustable. KYB's make a great shock but only the AGX's are adjustable so that is the main difference.

On a bang-for-the-buck comparison, the KYB's would offer excellent value but they are not tunable like the Koni. Either will work with our Control or Flatout springs.

To our knowledge, standard WRX OEM shocks are twin-tube gas.

Cheers
Jim

Whiteline Automotive

[drasnian]

Thanks for that, Jim.

I looked at the KYB website and found that the AGX shocks come with a single dial that adjusts both compression and rebound. I recall the section on the Whiteline site which warns of potential drawbacks of a single dial that adjusts both. Would you suggest using Konis over AGX for this or any other reason (e.g. price), or do the AGXs do a good job of varying both parameters with the one dial? (or anything else you might want to say!)

One other thing, there are several models of non-adjustable KYB shocks, e.g. 330000 series ("Standard") and Premium (for hard driving, apparently). By "Standard" do they mean like the OEM toys? The Premium series would seem better, naturally, but I couldn't find a Premium series listing for the WRX. So which non-adjustable KYB would be the pick?

Cheers,
Simon.

[Jim]

Hi Simon,

Any shock rate adjustment is better than none in our opinion. The AGX's are great value and have the added benfit of fitting straight in and not requiring any modifications etc.

Where not really expert on other peoples brands of shocks so could not comment on the various levels available. I certainly wouldnt have any problem reccomending the AGX's. In general, as with most other things, you generally get what you pay for choosing shocks.

Cheers
Jim

Whiteline Automotive