Just Bought 92 legacy L AWD Sedan

[EgoMyLego]

So, I'm relatively new to Subarus. I just picked up a totally stock 92 legacy sedan AWD, with 150K on the odo (GREAT DEAL). It's clean as hell and runs like a champ with an EJ22 that's in awesome shape. It's going to be used as my daily driver/ getting to the mountain car and the engine is 100% suitable at the moment.

My issue is with suspension. It seems so, for lack of a better term, Sedan-y. From what I have researched, 18-20mm sway bars (front and rear) new shocks and maybe some pre 06 WRX springs (no drop in height right?) might work to my liking. I was thinking KYB GR-2 or even AGX (I've got the cash flow for either).

Let me know if you guys have any suggestions. I'm open to anything. I'm looking to wrap up my suspension for under 700.

Thanks,
DP

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS.

Honestly, I'd just replace the struts with new KYB GR2's. Depending on how you like it from there, you can look at upgraded anti-sway bars and maybe bushings.

[EgoMyLego]

Thanks! Glad to be on board and I've talked to a few other Subaru nuts and they agree. Take it slow and dial my preferences in. Do you (or anyone) happen to have any thoughts on top mount strut bars? Are they effective curbing body roll on these cars or should I look to sway bars first? I've used them before on my Hondas (glad to be out btw) and they did seem to make noticeable differences through the corners...

[Legacy777]

The top strut tower braces may help a little bit, but it's not going to substantial. Struts, anti-sway bars, and better tires (wider & lower profile sidewall) are going to give you the most bang for your buck in terms of handling improvement. If you don't mind a drop in ride height lowering springs will help too, but the above mentioned items will like I said give you the best bang for your buck without sacroficing too much ride quality.

[evolutionmovement]

IMO, the biggest improvement from strut bars is in silencing a couple squeaks that come with age. I didn't really notice a big difference with mine. It felt a little more "solid" and the rear bar (wagon) killed a squeak that showed up a little after 200k, but handling was more or less the same. GR-2s are the struts the factory should've used as the ride is only negligibly affected, but the handling is noticeably better and they outlast the OEM struts as well. They're not even more money, so there's really no downside. These cars are pretty well balanced, but because of the suspension design and being family car, they'll always be too compromised to be serious road course type cars. However, in the real world, they can well hold their own due to the predictability of the handling, balance, and ability to absorb almost anything you'd hit on the street or gravel roads with good ground clearance, solid build, and respectable suspension travel—the main character in my books, who's a criminal security driver and smuggler drives one for a reason. They're excellent all rounders, but trying to make it specialized in one area will mostly result in money being spent for frustration. If you get good tires and GR-2s, you can then play with antiroll bars, maybe some stiffer springs, and call it a day and enjoy it for what it is.

[EgoMyLego]

Thanks guys, you've really helped. The car's been a bit put off due to vacation expenditures, but I should have the GR-2s on order within the month. Of course, over the few months I've owned it, I've noticed little age related quirks (Mostly trim). I'll probably be posting regularly...

BTW- It's awesome to be on a message board where people reply to nubie posts! Thanks for not referring me to the doomed "research!"

[Legacy777]

Let us know if you have any issues when you get to doing the work.