legacycentral bbs

from reading the Compendium and some other posts I think this will work, but I want to make sure.

I have a 90 Wagon, I want know if I can run stock WRX 00-03 (04?) struts. I have universal Subaru coil over springs (yeah I know they'll be crappy but I don't care) so I don't have to worry about which tops to use. In all the threads I've read it's mostly about getting certian spring/strut/top combos to work.

I assume I need to get wagon struts, or does it matter? I saw some people mention that using WRX parts made it so they could not get enough camber. Will this be a problem if I run the stock tops?

I have a set of WRX wheels and a set of 225/65/16s ... will they fit with the stock wrx struts? tires are free and the taller ones will get me better fuel economy

sammydafish wrote:I want know if I can run stock WRX 00-03 (04?) struts.

should fit

sammydafish wrote:I have universal Subaru coil over springs (yeah I know they'll be crappy but I don't care) so I don't have to worry about which tops to use. In all the threads I've read it's mostly about getting certian spring/strut/top combos to work.

you mean like coilover sleaves?

sammydafish wrote:I have a set of WRX wheels and a set of 225/65/16s ... will they fit with the stock wrx struts? tires are free and the taller ones will get me better fuel economy

those tires are too big

You shouldn't need to use wagon struts, but they'd probably work a little better.

If you do have the camber issues, a pair of camber bolts is pretty cheap.

ok... I'm still on the lookout for a cheap set of stock struts..... new GR-2s for the WRX are not to bad in price... so I'm thinking of getting them. The question is... there are different parts for the Wagon and Sedan. What's different on them? Both cars are less that 100lbs different in weight, I can't imagine they changed the dampning for that, so there must be something physicaly different.... but what?

You can't use just WRX struts, I don't think... you need the springs to go with them.

I don't know the answer to your question.

The wagons have the rear track width of the older Impreza's, I believe. I know the front track is the same as the Impreza.

So using rear struts from a wagon SHOULDN'T pose as much a positive camber situation as using sedan struts.

I believe it's simply the location of the holes for the knuckle to bolt. The physical mounting location in the body is in a similar location (as strut bars for the sedan fit the wagon), it's the lateral links that are longer so the strut must compensate for that by having a different knuckle mount location.

At least I think so....

I know you can get Group N mounts for the rear of a GD, so that would mean to me that there is a seperate spring perch.

You probably would want to purchase this spring perch (which should cost you not very much at all, probably like $27 or something from the dealer for both), and a GC top hat and mix the combo.

That SHOULD be the correct solution.

Then use your "coilovers" with the WRX strut and WRX upper perch, and GC top hat.

The location of the lower perch MAY be different between sedan and wagon, but I doubt it as there aren't any tire clearance issues to speak of from wheel to wheel on a wagon vs sedan. A 225/45/17 has the same clearance on a sedan as on a wagon.

The wagon is simply narrower than the sedan. Look at the front ends for proof. Wagon's have different bumper covers and fenders.

Oh, and I'll say my usual...

"Coilover" sleeves are junk. ANY fixed spring will perform beyond what the sleeve is capable of. Even 16 year old stock springs will outperform.

There isn't any reason to use them, unless you think you'll get some performance gain out of them... which you wont. You'll likely hurt more than help.

02-03s have a spring perch/top hat similar to those on a 90-91 Legacy, which look like this:



04-06 Imprezas have a spring perch/top that looks like this:



Coincidentally, the 02-03 springs will fit in 92-94 (-99 actually I think) Legacy and 93-01 Impreza upper perches, and the 04-06 springs will fit in 90-91 perches.

Wagon suspension I believe won't mess up the geometry. I have negative camber with my 04 sedan struts and camber bolts, at least.