To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
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To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
Well I been reading a lot of the old threads on what fits and what doesn't. To be honest with everyone the information is kind of confusing. I thought I would make a thread on what my suspension plans are. I picked up a set of KYB gr-2 struts last year and im in a dilemma of what oem springs would work. The suspension thread says that if i use wrx spring perches (the kybs are from a wrx) then i can also go ahead and use 04 sti springs. Now where im confused is I have a 91 SS and don't know what top hats would fit with this type of setup. Can anybody please help me out on if this can work or not and what top hats i would need to make this a complete setup.
2005 STi (500WHP with "SlowSTi" as the license plate lol (Weekend Warrior)
1991 Legacy ss JDM EJ20G swap with STi goodies (DD)
1991 Legacy ss JDM EJ20G swap with STi goodies (DD)
Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
There are really two main things about Subaru springs and fitment - height and taper. Height only matters for ride height, this is a tailor to suit issue depending on personal preference.
Spring taper is what counts as far as making things fit. The 90-91' have rear springs that taper in diameter, i.e. they're smaller at the top than at the bottom. Your top hat must be matched to the springs.
Additionally, the later model top hats have a different bolt pattern. In order to use these you must file out your mounting holes. The solution to this is to use tophats meant for a BC or a GC.
Now, your 04' STi springs are tapered. They will mate directly to your 91' SS tophats.
Someone correct me if I mis-spoke regarding taper on the 04' springs but taper is what you need to worry about as far as putting the strut together.
Otherwise you just need to pick the height and spring rate for your personal preference.
Spring taper is what counts as far as making things fit. The 90-91' have rear springs that taper in diameter, i.e. they're smaller at the top than at the bottom. Your top hat must be matched to the springs.
Additionally, the later model top hats have a different bolt pattern. In order to use these you must file out your mounting holes. The solution to this is to use tophats meant for a BC or a GC.
Now, your 04' STi springs are tapered. They will mate directly to your 91' SS tophats.
Someone correct me if I mis-spoke regarding taper on the 04' springs but taper is what you need to worry about as far as putting the strut together.
Otherwise you just need to pick the height and spring rate for your personal preference.
Lee
93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
Hey Lee,
Thats exactly what i wanted to know. Now if we can just get someone to verify if they are in deed tapered in the rear for the 04 stis.
Thats exactly what i wanted to know. Now if we can just get someone to verify if they are in deed tapered in the rear for the 04 stis.
2005 STi (500WHP with "SlowSTi" as the license plate lol (Weekend Warrior)
1991 Legacy ss JDM EJ20G swap with STi goodies (DD)
1991 Legacy ss JDM EJ20G swap with STi goodies (DD)
Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
It was late last night and my mind skipped a beat... the 04' STi's are tapered. I'm running 04' STi struts but with different springs. Last night I'd forgotten that I swapped my new strut tops in place of the stock 04' STi mounts (I bought the struts assembled). The ones I swapped in were brand new OEM 91' hats (you can't find GrpN anymore).
So yeah, sorry for missing that step last night but the 04' STi springs are definately tapered.
Let us know how it works out for you. I imagine you'll like them - huge step up from stock.
So yeah, sorry for missing that step last night but the 04' STi springs are definately tapered.
Let us know how it works out for you. I imagine you'll like them - huge step up from stock.
Lee
93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
ok cool thanks a lot man i appreciate your help.
2005 STi (500WHP with "SlowSTi" as the license plate lol (Weekend Warrior)
1991 Legacy ss JDM EJ20G swap with STi goodies (DD)
1991 Legacy ss JDM EJ20G swap with STi goodies (DD)
Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
D,
For our car, you need to use the 91 OEM top hats because of the mounting hole pattern. The tophats from the 04 Sti will work on the front.
So, use the 04 STi springs with the KYB struts and you will be fine. The only thing you will have to change is using the 91 OEM tophats for the rear. Other than that, it is cake to do. Make sure you have some spring compressors!
Let me know if you need any help bro!
For our car, you need to use the 91 OEM top hats because of the mounting hole pattern. The tophats from the 04 Sti will work on the front.
So, use the 04 STi springs with the KYB struts and you will be fine. The only thing you will have to change is using the 91 OEM tophats for the rear. Other than that, it is cake to do. Make sure you have some spring compressors!
Let me know if you need any help bro!
Brad
1991 Subaru Legacy L AWD Wagon 5MT (DD)
2000 Outback 5MT (DD)
2005 AW STi
2010 LGT (hers)
1998 Outback (her DD)
Build Thread
1991 Subaru Legacy L AWD Wagon 5MT (DD)
2000 Outback 5MT (DD)
2005 AW STi
2010 LGT (hers)
1998 Outback (her DD)
Build Thread
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- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 8360
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
- Location: Tenino, WA
Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
If you need STI springs I've got a set I bought off ebay and never used. I also have a full set of struts and springs off an 04 STI with 91 legacy rear top hats that I just pulled off my car for coilovers.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
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- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2385
- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:56 am
- Location: 10-9-oh(!), wa
Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
^Is that a f/s post? I might be interested.
93 legacy wagon L, 22T swapped (TW imitator) now with five forward speeds. (Gone, but never forgotten)
johndrivesabox wrote: Rally, my kyboard is brok, his has nohing o do wih h liquor.
Originalcyn wrote:Apparently everyone hates Gabe.
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- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 8360
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
- Location: Tenino, WA
Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
lol they're for sale although I don't have a thread yet. I was just going to wait until I got my car running and check out my coilovers and then make my big subaru sale thread. Just thought I might offer them if I see someone in the market.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
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- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2385
- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:56 am
- Location: 10-9-oh(!), wa
Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help
Allow me to save you the trouble.
93 legacy wagon L, 22T swapped (TW imitator) now with five forward speeds. (Gone, but never forgotten)
johndrivesabox wrote: Rally, my kyboard is brok, his has nohing o do wih h liquor.
Originalcyn wrote:Apparently everyone hates Gabe.