Coilover Question

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:44 pm

My friend has an 04 WRX with some Bilstein coilovers that he doesn't want anymore and he'd be willing to sell to me on the cheap side.

I want to put them on my 91 SS.

I've done research and found that, at least for springs, all that needs to be changed out are the front top hats with the 04 WRX top hats. After that, everything should bolt right up.

Does this go the same for coilovers?

555BCTurbo · Post by **555BCTurbo** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:35 am

They should fit fine...

You have to change out the rear hats when going from WRX to BC Leggy...because of the spring perches...but that generally isn't an issue with coilovers.

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:38 am

So all I need is the 04 coilovers and nothing else?

Thanks for the quick reply Nick.

jamal · Post by **jamal** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:47 am

I'm not sure what the rear tops are like on there. I'd expect you can use 92-94 Legacy or 93-01 Impreza tops though. And hopefully they come with front camber plates and have plenty of slotting.

Normally I'm not one to advocate swapping on newer impreza stuff, but for Bilsteins it might be worth it.

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:50 am

Ok thanks Jamal. And yes, they come with camber plates.

smh0101 · Post by **smh0101** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:39 am

Oooh... Bilstein... nice... Kinda like the Brembo of suspension...

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:49 am

Ahaha yes yes.

And only $300 for me at the 'Best Friend Discount'

smh0101 · Post by **smh0101** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:51 am

Oih! You lucky Sombitch!

Thats like a $2500 setup!!!!

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:00 am

Hahaha yup. They're the Bilstein PSS9.

I'm going to be SO happy if these things actually fit correctly.

So the only fitment issues (if any) would be with the rears, Jamal?

jamal · Post by **jamal** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:33 am

yeah, I don't know how the spring perches work and if you can use them with stock subaru tops. I'd expect so...

Worst case scenario is figure out a place to get some GC rear tops for those or maybe some other coilover.

Adam West · Post by **Adam West** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:48 pm

Do Subaru WRX camber plates universally fit our cars? I remember hearing that some do and some don't and folks re drilling a hole (some less than optimal to me...)?

AW

Adam West · Post by **Adam West** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:51 pm

Do Subaru WRX camber plates universally fit our cars? I remember hearing that some do and some don't and folks re drilling a hole (something less than optimal to me...)?

AW

jamal · Post by **jamal** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:00 pm

Front yes, rear no.

I consider using wrx camber plates on our cars to be beneficial because they end up canted so you can add caster. Even with the canting and the wrx geometry you should be able to see well over -2 degrees camber.

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:27 pm

So are you saying that if the rears don't fit, I might have to buy rear coilovers for 93-01 Impreza?

jamal · Post by **jamal** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:58 pm

no, just the rear tops. I did some looking around and it seems you'll be fine with some stock or group N 92-94 or GC top mounts.

Arctic Assassian · Post by **Arctic Assassian** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:53 am

Jamal, correct me if I'm wrong, but so far in the parts catalouge, our suspension is identical fitment to 93-01 subaru.

jamal · Post by **jamal** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:18 am

yep.

92-94 Legacy and 93-01 Impreza are nearly identical.

The 90-91 has different rear tops and different springs and the perches on the struts are at different heights though.

I'm going to try to sort out all the differences a little more precisely and post about it soon.

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:18 am

Ok thanks!

I'll be sure to get those. Once I get this all done, I'll let you guys know how it goes.

93forestpearl · Post by **93forestpearl** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:13 pm

Bilstein dampeners are some of the better units. Just remember that the adjustment is more like an on/off switch. Bilstein dampeners have nice curves on the shock dyno though. They are super cheap to rebuild too ($65 apiece).

I have H&R coilovers which use Bilstein dampeners and love them. They definitely got the valving right for the spring rates.

Adam West · Post by **Adam West** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:27 pm

Dan, Which of the H&R coilovers to you have? They don't make them spec for our car so I take it you got the 93 to 99 impreza ones? I'd like to look for a set used on Nabisco...

Also, how did you find out who makes there dampers? That's great info!

AW

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:27 am

Ok so here's a diagram of what the coilovers look like:

The coilovers come with the tophat (or pillowball upper mount as referred to in the diagram). So therefore I won't be needing 92-94 tophats.

My only concern is if the 3 studs on the pillowball mounts will DEFINITELY fit into the OEM bolt holes or will I have to drill out a hole?

I'm asking because if the 93-99 Impreza ones fit and these don't, then I'll just sell these and save up for coilovers for that application.

jamal · Post by **jamal** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:44 am

yeah the rear tops for a wrx don't fit so you'd have to do some drilling/filing. It's not pretty and I don't recommend it.

I was under the impression that you could use some stock tops with those coilovers though.

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:47 am

Ok well if I can use the stock tops then that would work, too.

I did some research and it seems that the bolts on a GC are spaced out the same and oriented in the same way as a BC. So would the same coils for a GC fit in without any problems?

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:07 am

Anyone?

jamal · Post by **jamal** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:10 am

yes it's the same. 1st gen impreza and legacy chassis and suspensions are pretty much identical. The Legacy is just a few inches longer.

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Coilover Question

Coilover Question