Rio struts + '10 wrx springs

[Zanzer]

I'm thinking coil overs with Golf Mk 2 Koni adjustables for the rear.
Karl

drool


Also;
I just want to thank you guys for getting this all figured out before I decide on a final setup for my swap LOL :mrgreen:

I have a ton of other stuff to do to the car so this is going to save me SO much time :thumbright:

[getnpsi]

shucks, this thread made me un-decide everything i was going to do. thanks a lot.

[FestYboy]

you're very welcome LOL

[getnpsi]

I do have a question tho. Are you all replacing the mounting kit pieces because you are in the rust belt? The cars out here are just really dirty, i dont notice them being that bad. My intention was to take it all off a rio and put it back together and just call it a strut and save 50 bucks.

[Safety Guy]

I'm going in stages.

Right now I'm running '02 Rio front struts with cut Aspire springs. They ride well and I detect no problems. The only mods I did was to cut off the unecessary brackets from the Rio struts.

On my second iteration, which I'm planning now, I wanted to check out the later Rio struts, which is why I bought the '04s. I wanted to see about the three bolt mount. Unfortunately, it won't fit into our towers without widening (cutting and welding) the tower top. So I needed some mounts to go with my new struts, on which I'll use cut Rio springs.

The Monroe mounts I bought were already cheap (around $26.00), 20% off at Advance, and the icing on the cake was the inclusion of the bearings already in the mounts! I think it was a very good deal.

So I'm running new mounts since I needed them and they were cheap. If I were just doing the same old "budget build," I'd stick with '01 and '02 Rio struts and use the mounts that come with them.

Aqua is fine as is, but I'll be testing different parts on her for later inclusion on my "dream car." So Aqua is mainly a work car/beater, but she's also a testbed.

If I end up mounting Konis on Aqua, be assured they will be transplanted onto Twin later! Aqua needs heavy duty rears, not adjustable ones, but I can play around.

When I build Twinstiva up, I'll use my experience with Aqua to make my choices.

Karl

[rollertoaster]

So my final results are in.

Front 04 rio sensatracs with 02 rio springs (cut 1 1/2 coils and torch vent the last 1/4 of a coil). 02 rio strut tops.
The brake line brackets on the 04 struts are too low and will stretch your hoses too much. Just ziptie the brake hose to the rio sway bar tab on the strut.



The rear: aspire Monroe struts aspire front springs cut by 1 1/2 coils and torch bent the last 1/2 coil. Sits about 1/2" higher than stock.

So far I'm very pleased with the ride. Firm, but not harsh or bouncy. It feels planted and solid. Most people would probably prefer a slightly softer rear spring, but I prefer a little faster rear response.

Also it should be noted I'm shooting for stock ride height. And I will jump the car so a spring that is loose under full extension will not work for me!


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[rollertoaster]

I also did a little dirt tracking with it tonight. I'm very impressed with the way it handles. I'm still running 12 inchers and the rears are completely bald. I did several laps around my friends old neglected go cart oval with it. Everyone who was watching was quite surprised and impressed by the amount of speed the car was able to hold through the turns. I can't wait to finish my aspire swap and have some fresh tires.


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[Safety Guy]

Cool.

I'll have to compare my '04 Rio struts with Aspires for that brake hose bracket. Could be the brand you have is slightly different, or this was a model year difference from older to newer. The brakes did also change from late '02 to the newer ones, so maybe there was a hose change as well.

Note: Ah, I see you still have Festiva brakes and hoses. They will be slightly different, so maybe it's the Festiva hoses that are too short for the application. I ziptied mine at first because my Festiva hoses (wrong hoses--I had ordered Aspires, so I had to cut the banjo bolt extension off to fit them on) wouldn't fit into the Rio brackets at all. The Aspire ones did. Again, I have an '02 Rio strut. Just be aware there could be differences cropping up.

****Rio parts swapping is still in its "infancy," so always proceed carefully and expect the unexpected!

Karl

[rollertoaster]

the 04 struts are sensa tracs, and the 02s were stockers. Yes I still have festiva brakes, hopefully in the next 1-2 weeks my aspire swap will be complete.

[getnpsi]

Next is sway bars, since it's closeby...not trying to detour. Use the aspire, festiva, or a rio now?

Aspire swap owners say the rear handling is another animal once that beam is in place. Can only make your track time more fun.

[rollertoaster]

I have an aspire front bar with full poly bushings already. Right now I have a boxed in festy rear beam. But soon I'll be swapping it out for an aspire beam with poly bushings. Just need to get tires for my 13s.


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