Wrx Suspension Swap

[beanis05]

I came across a deal in my area a guy is parting out a 02 wrx sedan t boned and a 06 wrx wagon front end damage.

In my quest for upgrades on the cheap I was wondering if the front and rear subframes will bolt to my 90's Legacy?

Also not really suspension related but is the gas tank the same size and shape? And are the brakelines remotely close to what our cars came with?

My rear subframe is rusted out beyond repair , and the ones this guy has are fairly clean and he is not asking much .

I know the gc8 suspension is nearly a direct swap and I am not really interested in the shocks or springs because I got that covered already.

Which car would be suited better for the subframe parts the wagon or the sedan?


You might be wondering if the rust is that bad but after 20 years on chicagos winter salt covered roads not much is able to survive without the proper protection.

[Legacy777]

The front sub frame would not likely work because it's a turbo sub frame and your 90 is non-turbo. The rear, I'm not sure. Pretty sure there are some differences to the gas tank.

I do know some of the mid 90's sub frames had different diff mounts vs. ours. Bushings in the sub frame vs. a separate diff mount plate.

Hopefully someone else will chime in with some more definitive info.

[beanis05]

Why wouldnt the front subframe work if its a turbo? arent the mounts nearly identical and the only difference is the bend in it to accomidate the uppipe for the turbo ?

In the near future I am planning on running a turbo so thats why I wanted to know if its possible and if I do come around some sti lower control arms they should be able to fit easier without affecting the suspension geometry

[Legacy777]

The primary issue is with the non-turbo exhaust manifold. It won't clear the turbo subframe.

Here's a pic of the non-turbo subframe. Notice the raises up to accomodate the manifold.
http://main.experiencetherave.com/subar ... P_5084.JPG

Here's a pic of the turbo subframe. It doesn't have those raises, and is actually lower on the passenger side.
http://main.experiencetherave.com/subar ... P_5092.JPG

[beanis05]

Ahhh I see now

So that is it ??? Well if that's the case then I might as well pick this up since latter down the road I'm going turbo .

Another thing I found was a sti front subframe for cheaper !!! But I am 80 percent sure they are both the same. Can anyone confirm this?

[Legacy777]

There's some slight differences in the spacing of the A-arm bushing between the turbo legacy & WRX/STi subframes. If you WRX/STi a-arms on a n/a subframe you'll have to add some washers to take up the space. I believe the bushing is slightly smaller in length. But it's not a big deal, others have done it. But then when you go to the WRX/STi subframe it should be a direct fit.

That's all I can think of as being different between the WRX/STi subframe and the older turbo legacy subframes.

Also, I'm pretty sure the WRX & STi subframes are identical....assuming they're from the same model year era.

[beanis05]

So I purchased the front and rear subframe from a WRX, they both seem to be in great condition with no scratches or rust !!! Now I need to source some front A arms from an Sti and some rear aftermarket suspension components.

[njdriver04]

thinking of swapping in a 05 wrx rear (subframe, lateral links, trailing arms and maybe hubs) into my 94 tw. Also swapping an 04 forester xt rear differential and axles. From what I have read the wrx stuff bolts right in, but haven't seen conclusive stuff, any issues with this, Is there a good thread on this? I am hoping the 04 forester xt diff mounts to the newer style diff mount on the wrx subframe, anyone have a opinion on this? I have agxs, with 04 stock sti spring and 90-91 tophats already in.

[Legacy777]

I don't see any reason why those things wouldn't work. The trailing links appear all the same. The main difference in the rear subframe is going to be how the rear diff mounts to it. So you'll just need to make sure you get the rear diff mount for it as well. Do you plan to swap the front outrigger support/frame for the front of the diff or are you going to keep your existing one? Again, they "should" be the same.

The ABS setup may be a little different, so if the tone sensors don't have the same electrical connectors, hopefully you can reuse the existing sensors in the newer hub. You'll need to make sure the axles are of the same type that mates to the diff. I believe most of the newer axles have male ends that go into the diff.

[njdriver04]

i am planning on swapping the outrigger, my friend has an entire 05 wrx he is parting so I will just take it off that. I am assuming it should work with the forester xt diff.

I thought I read somewhere that the trailing arms are different lengths on BDs versus my TW, pretty certain I read the laternal links are longer on BD wrxs versus my TW. I guess that is why I was wondering about the fitment. I deleted the abs out of my car for the time being but just curious would the hubs from the TW work?

[Legacy777]

I'm assuming you mean GD, not BD......so I'm guessing it's from a sedan? If so, the sedan parts might have a wider track in the rear. I don't recall if it was just the front that was wider, or if it was the rear as well. If the track in the rear is wider the lateral links will be a smidge longer....not sure about the trailing links.

Jamal would probably be the best person to ask about this since he's the suspension guru.

[njdriver04]

Found this thread that relates to our discussion, although still seems like the question about the gd wrx sedans having a wider track in the rear, has not been nailed down.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=46328

I am getting the parts from a 05 wrx sedan, now i am wondering what axles a forester xt comes with.

[Legacy777]

It is pretty well stated in that thread that the GD WRX sedans have a wider rear track.

From that thread.

wrx sedan links are longer than your stock ones. will result in a wider rear track, excess camber, and possibly popping the axles out of the diff. The 02-07 stuff works as long as it's from a wagon or non-turbo.

[njdriver04]

I am curious about this as well. I have the tranny and rear diff out of an '06 WRX sedan, and the rear axles fit perfectly while the fronts were too long because of the wider track. Is it a difference in the rear knuckles on the sedan, or how do they accomplish it?

I guess it is stated in the thread that the sedan in wider in the rear although there are conflicting statements, for example the last post in the thread which I quoted. My buddy who parts out wrecked wrx/stis and has personally held all these parts and done side by side comparisons says the rear is the same width.

[Legacy777]

Unfortunately, I haven't held the parts in my hand to make a side by side comparison. I do know Subaru has a history of making changes to things mid-way through a production year. So it's possible what some people saw is different then others, which is leading to the conflicting statements.

You may just have to try and look at the parts as close you can to see if they appear to be the same and give them a shot.