Upgrade to Sport Suspension?

[gte024h]

The suspension on my car is pretty worn and I want to replace it. I have the standard suspension and was thinking now might be a good time to upgrade. I have compiled a list of OEM part numbers for the "M Sport" suspension from realoem.com

31129059288 - lower control arm bushings
31351091308 - front sway bar
31351140188 - front sway bar bushing
31311090715 - left front strut
31311090716 - right front strut
31331133513 - front bump stop
33521091630 - rear shock
33551090317 - rear sway bar
33551129700 - rear sway bar bushing

I can't find part numbers for the front and rear springs. Does anyone know where I can find those part numbers? Also, are there any other parts I have missed?

For the money, would I be better off with aftermarket parts instead?

I'm not looking for a track car, just a sporty street car with a mild drop.

I have already replaced the lower control arm bushings with M3 solid bushings. Is it worth replacing them again with the "M Sport" LCAB's?

[tiFreak]

I don't know how much the stock sport suspension will cost but you can get a set of Bilstein sports with H&R springs for about a grand and comparing the prices of OEM shocks versus Billstein sports they are a bit cheaper and they'll perform better.

for the bushings I'd recommend going OEM, aftermarket polyurethane bushings tend to squeak and ride firm, good for a track car, not so good for a daily driver

[gte024h]

Originally Posted by tiFreak

I don't know how much the stock sport suspension will cost

I calculated a total of $958 without springs.

Oddly, the Sport struts are cheaper than the regular struts.

Also, if you put a set of stiffer H&R springs and Bilstein dampers on, would it also be a good idea to increase the anti-sway bar diameters?

[tiFreak]

I've been driving with an H&R race/Bilstein combo for a since last year with the stock non-sport sway bars, thicker sway bars would help but it certainly doesn't hurt anything

[familytruckster]

Originally Posted by gte024h

I calculated a total of $958 without springs.

Oddly, the Sport struts are cheaper than the regular struts.

Also, if you put a set of stiffer H&R springs and Bilstein dampers on, would it also be a good idea to increase the anti-sway bar diameters?

Doesn't matter, since you are upping the spring rate. All swaybars do is steal spring rate from the opposite side. It won't hurt anything.

The sport bars do make a difference, but if your are planning on buying new- go aftermarket. The cars really need a huge front bar.


M-sport LCAB and M3 are probably the same. If not, the M3 are probably better. I'd go aftermarket on the springs/struts. I am running tokico blues and H&R sports. Great ride, not too horrible of a drop (I'd prefer less drop for a DD)
And the price was decent.

[spidertri]

If you want to maintain a somewhat comfortable ride I would suggest sticking with the stock sport suspension. In my experience, Bilsteins and H&Rs were not comfortable at all. Springs too soft, dampers too stiff, doesn't make a good combo.

Tony (Bluebimma) has said a few times that Monroe makes a sport strut for the ti that replicates the stock sport strut and is much less expensive.

You wouldn't need to get bigger sway bars, if anything just the stock sport bars would be enough. If you have too big a rear bar without adding spring rate you will put too much stress on the sway bar mounting tab and it will rip them off.

[gte024h]

I looked up the Monroe parts, they are way cheaper, about half price. I still need part numbers for the Sport springs. Or I suppose I could buy a set of sport springs off someone here who has upgraded to aftermarket springs. Does anyone know how to tell the difference between Sport and standard oem springs?

[slow_ti]

I have sport rear springs.