To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Struts, spring, anti-rollbars, braces and the like.

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fatgc8
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Location: Phoenix

To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Post by fatgc8 »

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)
skid542
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Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Post by skid542 »

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.
Lee

93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
fatgc8
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Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Post by fatgc8 »

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.
2005 STi (500WHP with "SlowSTi" as the license plate lol (Weekend Warrior)
1991 Legacy ss JDM EJ20G swap with STi goodies (DD)
skid542
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Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2003 6:37 am
Location: North Idaho

Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Post by skid542 »

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.
Lee

93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
fatgc8
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Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:48 pm
Location: Phoenix

Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Post by fatgc8 »

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)
07Evolved
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Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:00 pm
Location: Roanoke, VA

Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Post by 07Evolved »

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!
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
kimokalihi
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Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Tenino, WA

Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Post by kimokalihi »

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
beatersubi
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Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Post by beatersubi »

^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.
kimokalihi
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Re: To all you suspension gurus... I need your help

Post by kimokalihi »

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
beatersubi
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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

Post by beatersubi »

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.
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