Hi all

Way down here in New Zealand, I've got a 2005 JDM spec Evo 9 GSR. I'm aiming to improve its (already great) handling. It's currently got Tein S-tech lowering springs (I know, I know, bad original choice.... ). My driving is about 80% daily driven (where it's often driven hard on twisty, semi-urban roads) and 20% track.

I've decided that installing decent springs is probably the best option for the type of driving I do. Can someone confirm that the car has what you guys refer to as Bilstein 'HD' suspension? I'm a bit confused because of the differences in Evo models in different parts of the world! I'm pretty sure it has the 'HD' suspension because the struts are yellow with a blue strip. If someone could confirm, that would be great.

Having read all 11 pages of this forum (including SmikeEvo's posts), I want to go for the Swift spring and sway bar setup. We don't get Swift products in NZ, so I've got a few questions I hope someone can help with:

1) Which Swift spring should I get? (Spec R, which are slightly better than the Swift Sport when driven really hard?) and what's the exact model code? (MR, GSR?)
2) Should I get both front and rear Swift swaybars? Are there any disadvantages to having these, compared to the stock swaybars?
3) Should I get a roll center correction kit, and if so, does Swift make one, or is Whiteline the best option?
4) How long (roughly) would it take a wheel and tyre place to install the springs, swaybars and roll center correction kit? Is it quite straightforward?
5) Last but not least, where's the best place (in terms of price and customer service) to buy the whole package from?

Thanks for the help.

Mark.

 

Sorry, I accidentally typed over part of my post the first try. Take two...

I am not 100% sure about foreign markets and Bistein offerings in NZ, but here in the US the HD shocks are an aftermarket offering, that is different from the stock Bilsteins that come on MR models from the factory. the HD are suposedly slightly firmer than the MR Bilsteins. I cannot be sure, but I would guess that your stock Bilsteins are the same as our MR Bilsteins.

While front and rear bars CAN provide some advantages, you probably don't need a front bar. The rear bar can have the perceived effect of reducing the cars tendency to understeer, and it essenctally reduces the "independece" of the rear suspension, but be aware that this can have its downsides as well, as it sometimes accomplishes this by reducing rear traction in turns. If you are going to just change springs with the Bilsteins you may like the difference in handling, just be aware of why it is handling differently.

Again, I recommend you do one thing at a time, and only upgrades as needed. Search and read up on the kits to determine if they are for you, but base this more on how you feel the car is behaving at any of thse stages compared to stock.

I'm not sure on the roll center kit but the springs and sway bar should not take more than 3-4 hours.

I would recommend you get in touch with Andrew from GTWorx/Racecomp Engineering. They are a vendor and active contributor on this forum.

Some other thing to consider:
- "Different than stock" handling does not always mean improved handling
- Realistically assess your current handling and exactly what it is you want to change about it. Consider the type of driving and wheels and tires you will be using. Every part serves a purpose and has a certain effect, so make sure that is what you are after for your own needs.