legacycentral bbs

Im looking to lower my 1991 legacy wagon. Ive looked into B&G lowering springs but thats it. I wanna know if i can put after market springs on stock suspension or if i need to replace struts as well...

These are the springs im looking at:
http://www.gripmotorsports.com/bg-lower ... gacy-wagon

depends on spring rates and I don't see rates for them on the link

Here's another link for springs: http://store.newlevelmotorsports.com/861014.html
But by spring rate what do you mean? the amount of compression?
I just want to install springs and not upgrade the rest on my suspension

Those will probably not work. The 90-91 Legacies had tapered rear springs. If these springs are liste to work on the newer legacies as well, they are probably not tapered in the rear.

You would need to change out the top hats and mounts in the rear to potentially use these springs.

Those springs will have the same issue as the others. You'll need to swap rear top hats & mounts.

the pictures are just a generic pic. heres the specs for a non wagon

Lowering Suspension Springs - 72.1.005

Brand:Intrax
Details:Lowering Springs (1-3/4" Drop)

[INX721005]
Installation:Professional Installation Recommended.

Lowering Suspension Springs Fits:
• 1991-1996 Subaru Legacy Turbo 4x4 Type D6 / C6
Highlight: 1-3/4" Front & Rear Drop
Fits Turbo Type D6 / C6

I need springs for a wagon.
Josh, I don't understand why the website list the springs working for 1991 if they don't. Furthermore, how much would it cost to swap rear hats and mounts?

http://www.yourhotcar.com/prod/Intrax/S ... 06/557904/

this is the link for wagons. i called and the said they fit on o e struts fine

You gotta think that in 1991, we had the older "pre-facelift" legacy, while japan released the post-facelift that year, the ones that have non tapered springs.

To fit the non tapered springs on your setup, you can order the top hat assembly from Subaru, or take them from a junkyard 92-94 legacy sedan or wagon.

Okay so if they fit, i can have installed and it wont mess up any other suspension components?

As Mike pointed out, Japan got things a year before we did. Most retailers do not know these cars the way folks on this board do. As I said, those springs will not work with the 90-91 MY US Legacies without swapping to the newer style top hat & top mounts. To swap them over to the ones found on the 92-94 Legacies should not be a big deal at all. The cheapest and easiest option is to probably pick up a set of used struts from a junkyard and snag the parts you need.

If you want to get new top mounts for the front & rear you can order some KYB replacements. They'll probably be cheaper than Subaru.

Here are the KYB part #'s

Front - SM5361 Qty. 2
Rear - SM5243 Qty. 2

Put these in Google and you can search for some places that sell them.

You think I can manage a swap without a car lift?

I used a car jack and jack stands when I did mine the first time. I did have to rent a spring compressor from Autozone, but you get your money back when you return it.

Here's a nice pictorial on how to do this:
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=32233

get a breaker bar and a 1/2 drive ratchet and 2 19mm sockets a 3/3 drive ratchet and a 12mm socket and that's almost all you need lol besides what he said

Ive got a shop full of tools (besides spring compressor). If I'm going to replace hats and mounts might as well replace struts with something more aggressive too? Ha. I wan subaru parts tho, WRX struts?

Rembly, check out the sticky at the top of the Suspension thread, I've linked to it here: http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35322

Specifically: "Jamal's blanket suspension recommendations" and "Suspension Information Compendium -what fits, tuning info"

Lots of nuggets in there.

Thanks Mike! That pictorial was very educating and helpful! As well as that last link. But there is a ton of information to take in. I do feel like i have a better understanding now but im also some what confused. What would you personally recommend regarding lowering my 91' ? I just want that more aggressive look as well as increased cornering capabilities, but nothing real fancy ?( Im not a race car driver) ha

and thanks for all your help this far!

The impreza strut/springs seem like a reasonable solution ?

GC/GM/GF (93-2001impreza)........FP, RP

What do the letters mean (GC/GM/GF) ?

the letters are the chassis codes for subarus
you can use impreza suspension parts like struts, upper mounts and spring caps
the sti models are a bit better for the older style cars too.

I'm running a 98 GC STi suspension on my 98 SF forester I had to swap the rear mounts as they changed the bolt pattern that year

how much did that set up run you?

If no one has already told you, 02-07 wrx struts will work, I have 04 wrx struts on my 90 leg wagon with Megan racing lowering springs. The struts themselves will lower you're car a bit and the lowering springs I got were 1.5 inch lowering springs. It makes for a nice stiff ride but still comfortable, and you can order it off amazon for around 375.00 for everything, then all you have to do is get the front spring seat cups for the top and can use you're legacy top hats. Unless you want the wrx top hats I've heard that you only need to drill a hole in the back ones to make them fit.

That sounds sweet! you should post a picture..
so struts and springs cost you about 375 or just springs?
I wouldn't mind a stiff ride but i am concerned with snow capabilities after I lower it 2in.. have you tested yours in the snow? obviously with less ground clearance it wont do as well but im worried ill just be plowing snow with my front end ha..

LegacyW90 wrote:If no one has already told you, 02-07 wrx struts will work, I have 04 wrx struts on my 90 leg wagon with Megan racing lowering springs. The struts themselves will lower you're car a bit and the lowering springs I got were 1.5 inch lowering springs. It makes for a nice stiff ride but still comfortable, and you can order it off amazon for around 375.00 for everything, then all you have to do is get the front spring seat cups for the top and can use you're legacy top hats. Unless you want the wrx top hats I've heard that you only need to drill a hole in the back ones to make them fit.

I have been researching this for over a year now. I have a 1990 USDM Legacy wagon. Tapered springs and tiny tophats. I know all kinds of people are saying you can use all kinds of different struts, but what strut mounts / tophats / upper spring perch is used when you put in 04 wrx struts with megan lowering springs? Everything else I can wrap my head around, but what tophats and perches????

Thanks

Rembly, the struts don't care what top hats you use. You buy a 1993-2007 Impreza strut package (excluding 2005-2007 STI as previously mentioned), or a 1990-1999* Legacy package, then decide what springs you want, either tapered or non tapered. Then go with the matching tophats.

Tapered rear springs (came on 1990-1991 Legacy all models* AND 2004-2007 Impreza all models) = use 90-91 top hat assemblies.
Non tapered rear springs (came on 1992-1994 Legacy all models* AND 2002-2003 Impreza all models) = use 92-94 Legacy all models or 93-01 Impreza all models top hats.

*except air ride suspension models. Stay far away from those lol.