How Can I Lower A WRX And Improve Suspension And Handling

There are 4 Answers

1. P-nut says:

   Please do not get any Tein S-techs. i personall have the Tein h-Techs and love them manye of my friends have Prodrives and love them too.

   If you want some good performance get a rear sway bar . many people love the prodrive blues with either kyb/ d-specs shocks.

   try this links out for people talking about what are the best and so forth.
   OFFICIAL Brakes/Steering/Suspension Installation/Walkthrough Thread (inc. Koni)
   http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1430598

   Suspension Supersticky: Springs, Coilovers, Swaybars, S-Techs, fitment, tech, more!
   http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171928
2. Michael B says:

   In general Subaru’s and specifically impreza’s do not react that well to lowering. A very small drop seems to work ok with firmer spring rates, but lowering the car way down makes handling worse. The one big handling flaw is the under steer that comes stock from the factory. To correct this use a stiffer rear sway bar (like the STI bar for example). Other than that just pick springs and shocks that are matched and firm enough for you… Springs and shocks are always a matter of balance, firmer will give you sharper handling, but makes the ride very uncomfortable. Ride in other peoples cars and pick one that has the right balance for you.

   Also adjustable coilovers are always a big improvement, they are more resistant to overheating and are adjustable to suite your tastes in firmness.
3. Jdmrex says:

   The guys who answered before me are correct. Dropping an Impreza too low will result in worse handling. Generally people go with a good spring/strut combo for its ride quality and overall improvement on cornering.

   Dropping in aftermarket springs in the stock struts isn’t bad per se; it just lessens the life of your stock struts because the spring rate is higher thus more dampening is needed. I hear swift springs and koni yellow inserts do wonders.

   If you go the coilover route, these seem to be the best overall performance mod, but not so much on ride comfort, so expect a bumpier ride. Some to consider are apex’i, megan, helix, BC, tein flex, cusco

   Swaybars are a good start (thats what I’m about to do). If you want to do this, make sure to change out the stock plastic endlinks and bushings while you’re down there. Generally, the larger the rear sway is than the front sway, you’ll decrease the understeer problem. Some good brands are whiteline and cusco (perrin’s are said to have fitment issues.)

   Hope this helps.
4. I <3 My Suby. says:

   Just to add to what the others said, don’t forget the power of a good set of tires. Good tires can make a huge difference in cornering especially if you are still on the stock RE92′s. Aftermarket springs can be bad for the struts if they are not rated to mach the valving but at the mileage you are at, your struts probably have seen better days so a set of KYB shocks and some STI pink or Prodrive springs would be a good match. Basically, dropping your car more than an inch or so effects the suspension geometry so that’s why it suffers. There are parts on the suspension that change your camber and toe a little when you take a corner and the spring compresses. When the car is lowered too much, you can screw that up. There are some fixes for that like the WhiteLine roll center adjusters. I would read the suspension FAQ stickied in the suspension section of NASIOC.com for some great info on how our systems work. Of course, if you are just looking for a better stance and do not track the car, you really don’t have to worry too much about these things and go with any name brand spring.