Choosing the right 2016 wrx lowering springs is generally the very first big step most owners consider if they want to fix that uncomfortable factory wheel gap without dropping 2 grand on the high-end coilover setup. Let's be honest, the VA chassis WRX is a wonderful looking car, but from the factory, this sits a little high—almost like it's ready for a mild rally stage rather than clean street construct. If you aren't thinking about slamming the car towards the surface or spending every weekend on the monitor, a solid group of springs is usually the smartest move you may make for your wallet as well as your day-to-day commute.
The reason why lowering springs make sense for the particular VA chassis
Many people think a person possess to go with coilovers if you want a better stance, but that's not really always the case. For a daily-driven 2016 WRX, lowering springs offer a "set this and forget it" solution. You get a consistent trip height, you don't have to worry about adjusting dog collar heights or damping clicks, and a person save a load of money that you can spend on additional mods like an Accessport or even a cat-back exhaust.
Past just the appearance, lowering the middle of gravity really helps the car experience more planted. Whenever you're tossing the car into a sharp corner, you'll notice less associated with that "boaty" entire body roll. The car feels more communicative through the steering steering wheel because you've taken a few of the slack out of the suspension system travel. It can make the WRX sense like the sports activities sedan it had been often meant to be.
Choosing the particular right brand for the goals
Not all springs are created equal, and depending on what you would like, you might lean towards one brand more than another. The "big three" for the 2016 WRX are usually usually Racecomp Executive (RCE), Eibach, plus Swift.
The particular enthusiast choice: RCE Yellows
In case you spend whenever on the Subaru forums, you've certainly heard about RCE Yellows. They are widely regarded the gold standard for 2016 wrx lowering springs . These people don't give you a massive drop—usually around 20mm—but they are specifically valved to work alongside the stock inverted struts. They're a bit stiffer than share, which is excellent for handling, but they aren't so harsh that your passengers will complain every time you hit a pothole.
The comfortable every day: Eibach Pro-Kit
If you're mainly concerned with getting rid of the steering wheel gap and keeping the ride mainly because close to stock as you can, the Eibach Pro-Kit is the solid bet. The particular drop is moderate and the springtime rate is progressive. This means this feels soft more than small bumps but firms up when you're really pushing the car. It's a great "grown-up" choice for somebody who wants a clean look without the "race car" stiffness.
The performance seeker: Quick Spec-R
Quick springs are recognized for their geradlinig rates and high-quality steel. The Spec-R is a bit more aggressive than the Eibach or the RCE Yellows. If you plan on using occasional autocross or track days, these will certainly give you the particular give you support need. Just remember that they might be a little more "jittery" upon rough city streets compared to the particular other available choices.
What to expect after the install
Something nobody tells you until after you've installed your 2016 wrx lowering springs is that will the car will "settle. " You'll finish the set up, drop the car from the jack appears, and think, "Wait, it doesn't look that much lower. " Provide a 7 days. As the springs seat into the particular rubber perches plus the metal pauses in, the vehicle will certainly usually drop another quarter to a half-inch.
You must also be ready for the modification in clearance. The 2016 WRX already has a good front overhang. Once you drop this an inch, you'll need to begin taking driveways and velocity bumps at a good angle. It's a small price to fund the aesthetic update, but it's some thing to keep within mind if your own neighborhood is complete of massive rate humps.
The particular "hidden" costs: Positioning and supporting mods
Here is where a lot of people get captured off guard. You can't just swap the springs and call it a time. Any time you wreak havoc on the ride height, you're changing the suspension angles.
Position is non-negotiable. After a person install your springs and let them negotiate for a several days, you must take the car to an alignment shop. Lowering the vehicle naturally increases negative camber. While a little bit of negative camber aids in cornering, too much of it (or uneven toe settings) will absolutely eat through your auto tires in an issue of months.
The rear camber issue. The 2016 WRX doesn't have got factory-adjustable rear camber. If you lower the particular car, the trunk tires will naturally lean inward at the top. If you're only carrying out a slight drop, you may get apart with it. But if you want your alignment perfectly within factory specs, you'll probably need in order to pick up a set of adjustable rear reduce control arms (LCAs). It adds in order to the cost, but it's worth it to save your tires.
Can you DIY the installation?
If a person have a good set of tools and the Saturday afternoon, a person can definitely set up 2016 wrx lowering springs within your driveway. You'll require a jack, jack holders, a basic outlet set, and—most importantly—a spring compressor.
You can usually rent a spring compressor from an auto parts store for free of charge. Simply a word associated with caution: be careful with them. Individuals springs are within massive amount of tension. If the particular compressor slips, points can get dangerous fast. If you aren't comfortable with that, most local shops will change the springs on to your struts to get a relatively small charge if you bring the struts to them off the car.
Extensive effects on your factory struts
It's a common question: "Will lowering springs blow my share struts? " The particular short answer is usually: eventually, yes. Factory struts are created to work within a particular range of traveling. Once you install lowering springs, you're pushing the strut in order to sit lower within its stroke just about all the time.
That stated, the 2016 WRX struts are quite beefy. Most owners get many years of make use of out of their particular factory dampers even with lowering them. In case your car already has 100, 000 kilometers on it, a person might want to consider replacing the struts at the same time. Yet if your vehicle is relatively low mileage, you've got lots of life left in those dampers.
Is it worth it?
At the end of the day, installing some 2016 wrx lowering springs is among the best "bang for your buck" modifications that you can do. It completely changes the silhouette of the vehicle, making it look more aggressive and expensive than it actually is.
You'll lose a little bit of bit of that will "go anywhere" power that Subarus are recognized for, but what you gain in managing precision and control appeal is more than worthwhile. Just make sure a person pick a spring rate that fits your driving design, don't skip the particular alignment, and enjoy the new feel of your ride. The very first time you observe your own car's reflection within a storefront home window after it's been lowered, you'll understand you made the right choice.