Suggestions for a 91 Legacy L Wagon (N/A)

[scuzzy]

I own a 1991 Legacy L Wagon, non-turbo, 5MT; which I dearly love.

Before anything else major is done to the car, my primary goal, rather first major modification will be to repair/replace the entire suspension.

I guess it's fair to say as well I intend to fit 205 or 215 wheels and tires on the car in the near future too.

I'm looking for tips, suggestions as to what brands/models of struts, springs, endlinks, swaybars and so on that will work on my car to improve the handling; I'd prefer if it tended to oversteer more than understeer (like it does now).

I'm not asking anyone to do my research for me, I've searched and information is generally spread out in bits and pieces everywhere; what I'm looking for is comments as far as what has worked well for everyone in the past with a car similar to mine, comments, opinions on brands and stuff of that nature.


Any feedback is appreciated.

[tris91ricer]

Check out the Suspension Compenduim in our Suspension section. Scottzg has compiled a pretty good sized list of compatible parts.

Most will agree on AGX struts with any other good springs, and upgraded wheels, such as 16" stock WRX wheels --which you'll need to have in order to run anything near 205, as 215 isn't possible on a 16x6.5, let alone a stock 14.

A good setup, which would give you what you're looking for might consist of either WRX swap parts, or 2.5RS springs, front and rear, and any combo of KYB strut, along with solid endlinks, and a 16-18mm swaybar. Run something 16" or larger for the wheels, and at least a 205 width tire, on 1-1.5* of negative camber.

That's just a quickie, but it'd make for a fun daily that handles better than most of the cars around you, if you drive right..

[LaureltheQueen]

whiteline control springs are great for wagons, but you'll have to wait a few months upon ordering them for them to actually arrive.

I put them on my 91 L wagon originally, and loved them. You really should go with KYB AGX struts for this though, as they're far less likely to blow than the GR-2's with a 1.5" drop. Whiteline controls will run you about $230, and the agx's will run you around $315. The swaybars will make all the difference, most GC8 swaybars fit as far as I know. Whiteline makes good endlinks as well.

Tire-wise, my suggestion would be Bridgestone Potenza RE750s. They're great tires, and I have nothing but love for them.

[scuzzy]

Yeah, the problem I have now is the car pushes too much in the corners (winding deserted country roads is where I find myself driving mostly).

I intend on going to 16" or 17" wheels, sorry I didn't make that clear in the initial post, whatever fits my fancy, nothing spectacular - definitely no bling, just an improvement over the standard steelies.


I'm pretty conservative when it comes to corners, not trying to impress anyone, but it's nice when driving with a big grin on your face because the car feels so fun.

Right now, the fun factor has kind of faded (aquired this car last year, had never driven AWD before now) and I'm looking at big things in the future, but I feel the best and safest start is with the suspension.

[LaureltheQueen]

Good call. Always begin modifying the suspension and brakes first!

If you want it to be more prone to oversteer(good luck on a subaru) then tighten up the back end as much as possible. Swaybars and endlinks are going to help, as well as a strut tower bar, as the wagon doesnt have any bracing in the back like the sedan does.

Subydude on nasioc sells 17" rotas for $650 shipped a set, or you could try and pick up a wrx takeoff set on ebay. I got a set of 17" sport edition fox 2's(friggin heavy) for $250 on ebay from a wrx owner, and plan on running 215 tires.

[tris91ricer]

I'm looking at big things in the future, but I feel the best and safest start is with the suspension.

Wow, there's two of you?

[scottzg]

If you're looking for on-throttle oversteer, get a new car, it will never happen in your scoob. That said, you can get some throttle lift o-steer pretty easily by just giving yourself a little more negative camber in the front; say, 1.5-2 degrees. Since you have a 91, you already have a 16mm rear swaybar, but you can pull a 18 off a air suspension or turbo legacy.

The more you increase the lift throttle and transcient oversteer, the more careful you'll have to be about not entering turns too fast.

92-94 struts and springs have different lengths, but the strut/spring combo is the same height. The 92-94 set up will allow you to run more tire, stock wrx wheel/tires will rub in the back with the 91 stuff.

For choosing springs, my method is to keep the stiffness ratio of stock and match struts that have the same increase. There aren't a lot of wagon springs available, unfortunately.

IMO stock rear endlinks (droplinks) are very good with only changing the bushings.

It's a feel thing, but urethane steering rack bushings are too wonderful not to add. The best 25$ you can spend on suspension.

Wow, there's two of you?

I also have stock powertrain.

[tris91ricer]

Scottzgs car is quite fun to drive, although his supposed wheel bearing problem freaked me out, as well as it being rainy out during my short test drive. That being said, though, I'd love to have a setup like his, but on 16s and some 40 or 45 series rubber, just for the increase in gear ratio.

[scottzg]

Scottzgs car is quite fun to drive, although his supposed wheel bearing problem freaked me out, as well as it being rainy out during my short test drive. That being said, though, I'd love to have a setup like his, but on 16s and some 40 or 45 series rubber, just for the increase in gear ratio.

16 and 45 series wouldnt change your gearing.

My wheel bearing was a messed up tire. I'm an idiot at times....

[LaureltheQueen]

i dunno. i dont like driving scott's car. the clutch was pure concentrated evil!

[scottzg]

i dunno. i dont like driving scott's car. the clutch was pure concentrated evil!

Haha, you should try driving a car with a REAL uprated clutch. Mine is just a little more stiffly sprung than a stock one.
Ya got the back to come out pretty good, that was funny.

My car and laurel's are more or less the same in regards to parts (she has nicer ones), but they drive very differently. Mine is more exciting.

[THAWA]

If you're looking for on-throttle oversteer, get a new car, it will never happen in your scoob.

Blatant flasity.

[scottzg]

If you're looking for on-throttle oversteer, get a new car, it will never happen in your scoob.

Blatant flasity.

Ignorance.


For hardy's benefit, i'll rephrase that. Short of major driveline modifications or compromising another aspect of your handling, there is no way to tune for on-throttle oversteer on your car.

[THAWA]

If you're looking for on-throttle oversteer, get a new car, it will never happen in your scoob.

Blatant flasity.

Ignorance.


For hardy's benefit, i'll rephrase that. Short of major driveline modifications or compromising another aspect of your handling, there is no way to tune for on-throttle oversteer on your car.

Again, blatant falsity.

[scottzg]

Again, blatant falsity.

Evidently this one time on dirt a legacy oversteered, rendering everything i said false.





I'm just givin' ya shit hardy.

[scuzzy]

Heh, oversteering in dirt is no problem for me; I can get the ass out in pebblestone, gravel, dirt, mud, and wet pavement (mind you, only while not traveling in a straight line)


just not on dry pavement.

Besides, throttle-induced oversteer is not my goal, just so long as the car is a little more over than under.; that's just my preference (from driving RWD cars for years)


Thanks for all of the suggestions, you've been a big help.

[LaureltheQueen]

Scott, it's not that I had trouble with your clutch, it was the god damned engagement points. That's not been the norm on any subaru i've ever driven. I have no problem with Art's clutch, and I'm certain that it's just a tad heavier duty than yours.

My car and laurel's are more or less the same in regards to parts (she has nicer ones), but they drive very differently. Mine is more exciting.

at least mine doesn't feel like it's floating.

[scottzg]

Oh yeah, well, when i replaced the clutch, i never bothered to set the engagement point correctly. Now i like it like it is.

Floating?

[LaureltheQueen]

your suspension is so squishy. it's like driving a stock legacy. wierd