Anyone know Cusco Lat Links?

[rory_a]

Anyone have any experience with Cusco Lateral Links? Can they "go bad" the bushings get worn? Any issues?

What about replacement parts? The rod end inserts - can I get replacements?


Looking to puck up a used set, but don't want to buy something that's trash....

[WRX06TR]

Idk about going bad...but Cusco bits are amazing, the fitment of Cusco stuff is phenomenal. I have Cusco front and rear sways and the fit and finish is spectacular.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by rory_a

Anyone have any experience with Cusco Lateral Links? Can they "go bad" the bushings get worn? Any issues?

What about replacement parts? The rod end inserts - can I get replacements?


Looking to puck up a used set, but don't want to buy something that's trash....

If they use spherical bushings, they can wear out and clunk, same as end links. No idea if they're replaceable, but if they are they're probably not cheap as the bushings are easily the most expensive pieces... it's probably just easier to replace the whole link when a bushing is worn out.

[sybir]

Do not buy Cusco anything with the idea of easily replacing sphericals. They're non-standard sizes and nearly impossible to source here, and they're $$$$$$$$$ from Cusco if you can even get the right ones. I bought a couple sets of firesale coilovers (like, $200, get these $3k units out of here before I put them through a wall) because the owners had so many problems with the sphericals in the tophats on them - both with initial wear and with getting replacements. I had a set of brand new tophats destroy themselves and start clunking like the wheel was going to fall off within a month of installation..........I've put ~120k on a set of Tein spherical tops with no issues, noise, or appreciable wear.

Your mileage may vary, but I'd stay away from used stuff, or plan to be used to noise.

[rory_a]

Thanks guys, just what I needed go hear. Gonna walk. Still looking for some whitelines I guess. Just seem to be the only affordable option.

[rayman]

Rory, ever find any links??

[sperry]

FYI Rory, Ray's '05+ stock links are an upgrade on the '04. The '04 came with the WRX style links... the aluminum STi links are a bit nicer.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

FYI Rory, Ray's '05+ stock links are an upgrade on the '04. The '04 came with the WRX style links... the aluminum STi links are a bit nicer.

Huh? The '04 STI links are different than the bugeye WRX ones, thus the different endlinks, etc...

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

Huh? The '04 STI links are different than the bugeye WRX ones, thus the different endlinks, etc...

It must have been a mid-year change then... I remember Eric getting crap when he traded in his '04... the dealer was bitching that he had swapped WRX parts on the car before trading it in.

Keep in mind, the '04 STi could be using different endlinks than the WRX and still not have the aluminum '05+ lateral links.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

It must have been a mid-year change then... I remember Eric getting crap when he traded in his '04... the dealer was bitching that he had swapped WRX parts on the car before trading it in.

Keep in mind, the '04 STi could be using different endlinks than the WRX and still not have the aluminum '05+ lateral links.

Doh, mine are steel, but with the different end link configuration eliminating the stupid "C" shaped endlinks.

I wonder which is more prone to being bent or damaged? I have adjustable aftermarket ones that are destined to go on anyway before the next alignment and corner balance.

[rory_a]

Gonna bring his thread back instead of starting a new one with a similar question.


I found a good deal on a lightly used set of Cusco Zero 2E coilovers with E-Con. Look new, and they're a good deal compared to the close to $3k for the setup new.

However, the comparisons, reviews, etc I've read indicate that I might be better suited with KWs, like a simple set of V1s (found a good deal on those as well).

Since 99% of my miles , and time in the car is on the street or freeway, and anything I do has to be wife-approved, would the rates and dampning range of the Cuscos be too harsh? I want the car a little lower than current (RCE yellows) for looks alone. I want the ride a little more complain than the factory dampening of the stick 04 STi struts, which are clunking.

Just wondering I'd anyone can give an unbiased relation of the Cusco set up compared to the stock STi setup? Or maybe even the RCE Yellow/stock strut setup?

[rory_a]

And on the lat link question, I picked up a set of Raymen's awesome Kaminari links. Frickin quality!

[sperry]

I don't have personal experience with the Cusco coilovers, but they have a reputation for being stiff/harsh. In general, most everything out of Japan is pretty harsh, ostensibly because they have really smooth roads there. I think sybir has run the Cuscos on his wagon in the past... perhaps he can comment.

The KW's would probably be a much better fit for you if you plan to drive the car on the street a lot. MattR ran the KW V3's (?) very successfully for years at autocross, so they're also pretty competitive while being more streetable than the JDM bits.

[rory_a]

That's basically exactly what I've read. Haven't found a good deal on KWs though, and definitely not gonna be able to step up to V3s. Me != baller

[sperry]

Originally Posted by rory_a

That's basically exactly what I've read. Haven't found a good deal on KWs though, and definitely not gonna be able to step up to V3s. Me != baller

I wasn't suggesting the V3's, just pointing out that KW makes a pretty decent product. The V1's are more than 90% of folks out there need.

[rory_a]

Originally Posted by sperry

I wasn't suggesting the V3's, just pointing out that KW makes a pretty decent product. The V1's are more than 90% of folks out there need.

I haven't found V2s for our cars, just the V1s and 3s. It'd be nice to have adjustable dampening. At the same time, I don't really think I need to worry too much about it if a high quality coilovers comes with a specific dampening setting. Not at my levels at least. Gonna need to see what dude will do on the V1s

[rory_a]

(and I was more saying I'd love to pick up some V3s, but they're out of my pricerange, and honestly more than I need. So are the Cuscos though. )

[WRX06TR]

V1's are great! I had them on my WRX. Perfect coilover for the street and Tirerack has a good deal on them.

[Kevin M]

Damping. The word is damping.

And the KW V1 is a great setup for a DD/weekend Solo/track day car. Adjustment is overrated when there are well-engineered setups that do exactly what they're supposed to on a given model of car. KW is arguably the top builder of streetable suspension in the world. They are an OE-caliber company. If I had only one vehicle that I wanted to use for Solo and PDX, I would look very very closely at the V1s myself. I use the V3s only because they're on a dedicated competition car.

[WRX06TR]

^ Agreed

How often are you going to be adjusting the dampening or changing ride height on a DD. Plus for a once in a while AutoX or track day, the V1's are more than adequate. KW did a great job providing a good balance for street driving and for competition.

The thing to remember with any coilover is that the ride will be rough, especially on the horrific strips of pavement that Reno calls roads. But on the freeway or out on the track they feel fantastic!

[rory_a]

Awesome, thanks guys. The deal on used KW V1s sold, but it wasn't that good of a deal. I'll probably pick up a set new if I can't find another used set.

And I know kevin, damping not dampening, but my phones likes to make it's own engrish

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by rory_a

And I know kevin, damping not dampening, but my phones likes to make it's own engrish

Apparently.

[rory_a]

Lol. Nice catch. And to think, I have a degree in journalism...

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by rory_a

Lol. Nice catch. And to think, I have a degree in journalism...

That's why journalists have editors.

[rory_a]

Lmao yep. I am not an editor, that's for sure.


Finding a deal on KWs is turning into a bit of an adventure.