Author Topic: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project  (Read 4203 times)

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Offline SingallZ

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The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« on: August 26, 2010, 01:03:21 am »
Hey Everyone,

I figured it was about time I contributed back to the community and give a quick review of all the work I've done to bring my 09 STI up to par with the new 2011's (and hopefully beyond).



So far I've got the following installed:

Suspension/Handling
22mm Front Perrin Sway
19mm Rear Perrin Sway (set to medium stiffness)
Whitleine rear swaybar braces
Whiteline front endlinks
Whiteline ALK (makes a huge difference!!)
Whiteline rear subframe bushings
SPT STI pink springs (lowers the car 10mm and are 25-35% stiffer)
Work CR KIA 18X8.5 rims w/ factory rubber

Cosmetic
Rally Armor Mud flaps
Red tinted rear tail lights
V-Limited front lip spoiler

Its been a week now since its all been installed and I couldn't be happier with the setup. In many ways it finally feels like GD STI's that got me involved with Subaru in the first place. The car has virtually no body roll, under-steer, or mushy steering. Corners are precise with no need for correction during the turn, you just point it and it turns with confidence.

I can't wait for next years autocross season  ;D

Offline LilDrunkenSmurf

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2010, 06:14:19 am »
Are you going to swap in those newer front LCA's w/ the new bushing? (I think that's what they changed, right?)
If the sea was vodka, and I was a duck.
I would swim to the bottom, and drink my way up.
But the sea isn't vodka, and I'm not a duck.
So give me the vodka, and stfu.
If you're having forum problems, I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but your post ain't one.

Offline LilDrunkenSmurf

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2010, 09:06:36 am »
No idea. I just heard that the '11 has the upgraded front bushing. I didn't realize he had installed an ALK
If the sea was vodka, and I was a duck.
I would swim to the bottom, and drink my way up.
But the sea isn't vodka, and I'm not a duck.
So give me the vodka, and stfu.
If you're having forum problems, I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but your post ain't one.

Offline dub c

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2010, 08:27:52 pm »
'11 front end?

Offline SingallZ

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2010, 05:31:37 pm »
No idea. I just heard that the '11 has the upgraded front bushing. I didn't realize he had installed an ALK

I didn't install the new '11 front bushings since it would have required a new lower control arm (the new front bushings are slightly larger then the 08-10 ones, but the WL ALK is comparable). Plus I'd have to say this mod is one of my favourites. It made a noticeable improvement durning cornering and I can see why Subaru revamped it for '11.

'11 front end?
I probably won't go for the new '11 front end, to be honest I like the cleaner look the older front has.

The next Mod will stubbornly be exhaust of some kind (not SPT though, its missing a resonator and it sounds a little too rice for me) and new struts.


Offline seat safety switch

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2010, 06:12:06 pm »
Has anyone on the Internet installed the '11 lower control arms and rear pillow-ball bushing yet? I guess they must be available in the parts system by now.

Hell, they'd probably fit up to all the 08+ STIs and maybe some of the pre-08s.

Offline jtsimaras

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2010, 08:17:56 pm »
Hey Everyone,

I figured it was about time I contributed back to the community and give a quick review of all the work I've done to bring my 09 STI up to par with the new 2011's (and hopefully beyond).

So far I've got the following installed:

Suspension/Handling
22mm Front Perrin Sway
19mm Rear Perrin Sway (set to medium stiffness)
Whiteline front endlinks
Whiteline ALK (makes a huge difference!!)
Whiteline rear subframe bushings
SPT STI pink springs (lowers the car 10mm and is 25-35% stiffer)
Work CR KIA 18X8.5 rims w/ factory rubber

Cosmetic
Rally Armor Mud flaps
Red tinted rear tail lights
V-Limited front lip spoiler

Its been a week now since its all been installed and I couldn't be happier with the setup. In many ways it finally feels like GD STI's that got me involved with Subaru in the first place. The car has virtually no body roll, understeer, or mushy steering. Corners are precise with no need for correction during the turn, you just point it and it turns with confidence.

I can't wait for next years autocross season  ;D
How much did it cost you?

Offline SingallZ

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2010, 11:31:09 pm »
How much did it cost you?

about $1000 in parts (not including the rims) and time

Offline fwa

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2010, 12:07:26 pm »
Hey Everyone,

I figured it was about time I contributed back to the community and give a quick review of all the work I've done to bring my 09 STI up to par with the new 2011's (and hopefully beyond).

So far I've got the following installed:

Suspension/Handling
22mm Front Perrin Sway
19mm Rear Perrin Sway (set to medium stiffness)
Whiteline front endlinks
Whiteline ALK (makes a huge difference!!)
Whiteline rear subframe bushings
SPT STI pink springs (lowers the car 10mm and is 25-35% stiffer)
Work CR KIA 18X8.5 rims w/ factory rubber

Cosmetic
Rally Armor Mud flaps
Red tinted rear tail lights
V-Limited front lip spoiler

Its been a week now since its all been installed and I couldn't be happier with the setup. In many ways it finally feels like GD STI's that got me involved with Subaru in the first place. The car has virtually no body roll, understeer, or mushy steering. Corners are precise with no need for correction during the turn, you just point it and it turns with confidence.

I can't wait for next years autocross season  ;D

Right on!  I was thinking of doing something similar.


Which mods would you think removed most of the understeer/steering issues?

Offline SingallZ

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2010, 10:28:31 pm »
Right on!  I was thinking of doing something similar.


Which mods would you think removed most of the understeer/steering issues?

The sway's made the biggest difference in under-steer by far (they're also the cheapest and easiest parts to put on). The springs helped a little too, but together with the WL ALK really cleaned up the sloppy steering.

Offline fwa

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Re: The "make my 09 STI feel like a 2011" project
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2010, 10:32:00 am »
Thanks man!

Looks like I will have to save up for the sway bars!