Suspension question

[firstgenwagon]

Im finally getting around to the suspension on my 1990 awd wagon and just wanted to clear up some things before I start ordering. Im planning on buying KYB GR2 shocks and 04+ STi springs if possible. First off are the P.N. for the proper GR2s F 235063-235064 and R 235067-235068? Would these work with the 04+ STi springs and stock wagon spring perch and top in the rear? What would I need for the front to bolt up without a problem? Just these?

The springs themselves (04 WRX)
20330FE861 for the fronts
20380FE830 left rear
20380FE820 right rear

Front top hats (04 WRX)-
20323FA000

Front upper rubber spring seats (04 WRX)-
20325AA000

Thanks in advance, I can't wait to put my christmas bonus to use. [/quote]

[kimokalihi]

I think you just need the front upper spring seats (perches) for the front because I think the strut mounts are the same. Not entirely sure.

Wouldn't hurt to buy them anyways, how much are they?

I think you'll also need the rear upper spring seats off of a 92-94 legacy because they're straight springs and the 90-91 are tapered springs.

The thing I would be worried about with this combo is (unless wagon rear struts are different than sedan) the rear struts are too tall for the STI springs. You're going to get them installed only to find out the spring is so loose you can move it up and down by hand and jiggle it around. It's not going to be touching the upper spring seats. I did this on my car with 05 STI springs and brand new KYB GR2s on my 91 turbo sedan. It freaked me out and I sold the struts and bought STI springs and STI struts. They fit great.

I'm sure when you lower the car if the spring is where it's supposed to be it'll be fine but I wasn't willing to take that chance. I kept thinking, "what if I somehow extend the suspension all the way out and the spring pops out of place?"

Good luck!

[firstgenwagon]

I haven't looked into prices yet, I want to be absolutely sure I'm getting the right parts before I go on.

Are you sure about the upper rear seats? From what I got from the FAQ the 90-91s were tapered and so were the 04-06 Impreza, but the 02-03 Impreza and 92-93 legacy were straight. Maybe this is just for sedans and not wagons?

I wasn't aware that the STI springs were any shorter, but the STI shocks bolt up front and rear also? I'm more inclined to just go that route if its possible. Would I just use the stock '90 tapered perch/top for the rears and then get STI top mount, spring perch and rubber seat for the front?[/quote]

[kimokalihi]

Took a look at my car and those STI springs sitting in my garage and also some rear stock springs on KYB GR2s that I got at the junkyard and the stock rear suspension out of my 91 turbo sedan and it turns out I was mistaken. They 90-91 springs are tapered and so are the 04-07 sti springs. I believe the 90-91 springs are like 100mm on top and the STI springs are 95mm or something like that. Close enough.

I was thinking of the 02-03 WRX suspension setup that I also have and tried to put on my car before the STI stuff. Those you DO need the 92-94 top hats. Because they're straight springs, not tapered. Sorry.

Here's the pics of the STI springs to confirm they are tapered. The STI springs are the ones that aren't on the struts. They don't look much shorter but you can tell they ARE shorter. I don't have my compressor anymore so I can't remove the springs from the struts so you can see the difference once the stock springs are uncompressed but I assure you it's a pretty big difference.

Hope this helps. Sorry about the misinformation above. I'll edit those posts so no one else gets confused.

[kimokalihi]

I definately recommend the STI strut and spring setup vs the KYB GR2s and STI springs. Should be cheaper too. I paid like $300 for my KYB GR2s brand new. I think I paid $250 shipped for the STI strut/spring combo used from someone on this board.