WRX front subframe swap

[Legacy777]

I've been wanting to dig into this more since I will be going turbo in the upcoming months. Mainly because I'd like to use the less expensive aluminum lateral links that have all the upgraded bushings already installed.

Kelley has told me it works, and I believe sells a package
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=18317

I went over and looked at some wrx guys' cars today, and how the front subframe is setup. It is a little different then ours. It has a brace that goes all the way around from the rear where the A-arms bolt to the car, to the front and back around. They have a normal crossmember that goes from either side. From looking at things today, I don't believe you can run just the crossmember without the other brace, and from looking at my car and where the mount points were for the brace, it will not bolt up.

I'm unsure of what Kelley has done to make it work. I need to call him and find out.

Here are pics
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... rxsubframe

If I can't get the WRX subframe to work, I'll just go with the turbo legacy subframe and have to worry about the bushings on the a-arm separately.

[THAWA]

Whoever that was doesn't care that much about their car. Going to jiffy lube I see.

As far as the brace, apparently it's only to help in a collision or something. It doesn't add any support or any real bracing. You should be able to use the crossmember by using some shorter bolts or something.

[evolutionmovement]

Hardy's right about the lower U-shaped brace - it's very flimsy and I remember hearing the same thing about it only being for crash purposes. Of course there are real braces more readily available for the WRX subframe, so you may still want to gop there. I'm glad I got my GC A arms ata good price before they seemed to disappear.

Steve

[Legacy777]

The only thing I was a little concerned about was the fact that it looks like the brace holds parts of the subframe up.....but maybe it's just how it looks....

[BAC5.2]

The only thing I was a little concerned about was the fact that it looks like the brace holds parts of the subframe up.....but maybe it's just how it looks....

A lot of guys that go to FMIC's, will remove the 25 pound brace...

They also hit something at 5mph, and DEMOLISH the front of the car. I've seen it happen.

Try your best to make use of the brace.

[THAWA]

I would think having the brace on his car would not make much of a difference.

[Legacy777]

Yeah I wouldn't see using the brace on my car would make much of a difference because it didn't have one to begin with.

Plus the mount points are not there.....so I really doubt I'd easily be able to use it.

[Legacy777]

There's an active thread on nasioc in the brakes & suspension thread about the brace, and from reading things, it doesn't sound like this brace is load bearing, so it looks to be fairly good chances that I can run the wrx crossmember, and associated suspension stuff.

[THAWA]

I assume you will any way, but could to take good pics of everything when you're done?

[Legacy777]

Oh yeah....you know me....I'll take oodles of pics

I want to double check the mounting points of the steering rack, and angle, if any, between the mount points of the LCA.....need to figure out if shims will be needed or not.

[josh9227]

on my 93 i got ver8 ra spec c subframes (front & back) and bolts right in well maybe a new hole or two i think i have pics on my site of it

[Legacy777]

got a link to your site?

[josh9227]

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/218237/3

[Legacy777]

thanks