Page 1 of 1
What springs for my GR-2's
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 8:53 pm
by KC0514
I've been all through the SEARCH function, and honestly, my head is spinning with all this info.
1991 AWD legacy turbo:
Just bought 4 new GR-2's for a 92-94.
What springs should I use?
Will the 92-94's in my 91 make it too high?
Sorry if this is redundant to this forum. I'm honestly baffled at all the info, and can't figure it out.
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:51 pm
by scottzg
ideally, you will get a 92-94 spring with ~150lbs per 1 inch compression and you will get the spring seats (front and rear) from a 92-94 as well. Stock 92-94 springs will work, but they will be slightly more damped than stock, and thats ok, just ride a little firmer. Sticking them on your car using existing stuff will make the nose a bit high and the rear a bit low. No biggie, but if you care enough to replace the struts, you prolly care enough to make it not look funny.
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:16 pm
by LaureltheQueen
I'd personally suggest a set of whiteline springs, but the wait is horrendous.
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:04 am
by eastbaysubaru
^for some
-Brian
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:08 am
by LaureltheQueen
do you have connections?
**jealous**
stupid 17 weeks of waiting
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:28 pm
by KC0514
17 weeks to wait for springs........ That is horrendous.
I'm going to return the 92-94 struts and pay the extra for the 91's. That way I can just do a simple swap, and drive the car again.
By the time I source, springs, spring seats and top mounts.........
Sounds like I'm better off dropping the $400 for the correct GR2's.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:25 am
by 206er
maybe legacy wagon rears and WRX fronts? thats 190lb/in and 163 lb/in respectively. thats what I'll be running on my GR-2's. got the rears here, just need fronts.
New struts turns into PROJECT...
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 5:23 pm
by KC0514
Okay, so I call and my distributor doesn't even show the KYB part numbers for the 91 AWD.
So now I'm back to sourcing the parts needed to use the 92 struts.
Changing struts SHOULD NOT be so difficult........

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:27 pm
by Brat4by4
Its not hard. Just get whatever spring you want for the 92-94's. Did you want to drop it all? If not you might want to try to pick up a used set from off one of the members here. The rubber seats and rear topmounts can be picked up from the dealer.
Unless you wanted to go with rear STi topmounts for a GC, those can be picked up from any Subaru performance website. And while you are at it, I would put in newer WRX front topmounts in while you are at it. I have a set if you want them, they will bolt right into your car, same thing just newer.
Unfortunately, you have an older car and a rare model, and the rarest of the rare model at that. Everything isn't going to be pick it up at the store and call it a day. Thankfully, gobs of cross-research has been done on parts already for you.
If you want to make it the easiest, just upgrade everything to a WRX wagon suspension. Get the struts/springs/perches, new rear 92-94 topmounts, and it will all bolt right in. Then your options on the struts and springs are almost limitless.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:48 pm
by Legacy777
17 weeks.....that's nothing.....I had at least 6-7 months of waiting, and I changed vendors due to the first one not providing the feedback I wanted.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 7:08 pm
by 206er
KC0514 wrote:
Sounds like I'm better off dropping the $400 for the correct GR2's.
the gr2's are a little over $250 shipped from
www.tirerack.com
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:36 pm
by KC0514
If you want to make it the easiest, just upgrade everything to a WRX wagon suspension. Get the struts/springs/perches, new rear 92-94 topmounts, and it will all bolt right in. Then your options on the struts and springs are almost limitless
So, I can pick up a set of used 2002 WRX Sw struts with springs and bolt them right in, except for the set of 92-94 topmounts...right?
Thanks for helping out an old man.....
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:40 pm
by KC0514
Actually I just found this.
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=19316
I never thought going the WRX route would be easier, but it looks like it is.
Thanks again for the help. Looks like I'll return the KYB's and find some WRX struts. Although it sound slike I need a set for a Sedan, since my car is also a sedan.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:45 pm
by scottzg
the wrx is much more nose heavy than the legacy. The wagon struts are closer to what you want.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:47 pm
by Brat4by4
Our cars come with even spring rates, front and back. Part of the reason being our different weight balance and lower rear roll center. Impreza stuff has much stiffer front springs compared to the rear.
So the idea is that the wagon spring rates which are closer together would suit our cars better. That's the only reason you see people recommending WRX wagon stuff on sedans. I have yet to see if this actually works in action, the wagon springs are sitting in the barn.
And remember that you want the whole strut assembly off of a wrx. That means springs/struts/upper spring perches and associated rubber for the perches. Get whatever springs and/or struts you want performance wise, but you need the other little bits to make it all work correctly (and make it cake when putting it in). But don't be afraid the upper spring perches and rubber seats are inexpensive even from the dealer. And yes, you need the GC (same as BC 92-94) rear upper strut top mounts. Whether you go Group-N STi or plain jain OEM units is up to you. Price I would guess to be around the same.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:15 pm
by KC0514
Just bought 4 used 2002 WRX SW struts for $200.
I'll return the GR2's and use them.
Thanks,
Mark
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:12 am
by scottzg
strut assemblies? Just struts will give you the same problems.
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:17 am
by KC0514
The WRX struts come complete with springs.