I just want to Use the rear suspension of an AWD car because i have a V5 suspension (Struts and tops) but the rear suspension of a FWD will not accept those parts of an AWD without converting...In short i dont wanna buy a donor car and im not goin to fully go AWD yet with the gas tank, diff, driveshaft... Im looking more along hte lines of brakes,hub,control arms, trail links ect just so i can use my V5 stuff....
Look at the cross post ( i was told to post here too)
Accepting AWD Parts (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=3683149#post3683149)

I've already responded to your pm but if you want a second opinion or answer that makes your happier, you'll be looking for awhile.
;)

Bottom line, ditch the Ver5 struts since the valving isn't optimized for a FWD setup anyways, and get some KYB GR-2 that is specific for the FWD Imprezas. This will mount up with not modification and will have a better matched valving to the FWD drivetrain.

Why spend all the $$$ on AWD parts if you are just going to keep it FWD just to use some struts. Doesn't make any sense to me.

iirc we've had the struts from a 00 fit onto a 93 fwd car, I think it took a little modification though, maybe a different bushing can't remember though.

what didn't work was rear control arms though.


Edit:
I also second the idea of the KYB's they rode much better then the subaru struts

Brad

Even with modification, the AWD struts won't work properly on the FWD parts. Some of the issues are that the hard brake lines get in the way of the strut body. The strut itself is no longer angled back like the AWD setup so the suspension geometry will be compromised as well as the mounting points.

ok so heres my new question Do i have all the Mounts for AWD parts? I think i should but wanna double check..

Rallispec is getting a V6 in which they have told me they will sell me the erar suspension parts i would need to do my conversion as a package and they gave me a really good price on it too... so now im back to what do i wanna do i guess

Originally posted by Aspen
Even with modification, the AWD struts won't work properly on the FWD parts. Some of the issues are that the hard brake lines get in the way of the strut body. The strut itself is no longer angled back like the AWD setup so the suspension geometry will be compromised as well as the mounting points.

I'm sorry Aspen, but you are incorrect -
my 1995 FWD had DMS 50mm GC coilovers on it.. they bolted right on. no problems...

also ran steel braided brake lines, which bolted right on and were not in the way.. what are you talking about???

Mounting points - not a problem, they bolted right up.

After a quick alignment, the ONLY issue was the strut tops. i had to use the OEM rear strut tops rather than the STi AWD's... but that was never an issue as we reinforced them.

i believe that SOME GC suspensions WILL bolt right up with no issues... DMS coilovers is one of them..

Jamie www.subiegalracing.com http://www.subiegal.com/rallysmiley.gif

Jamie,

I should've stated that all non-coilovers AWD struts won't work. Coilovers work simply because they don't have the larger mounting perch for the bigger diameter springs and you can also adjust out any height differences between the AWD and FWD spring perch height.

You happy now? ;)

BTW, the owner of this original thread has the STI struts and "struts" was what I was referring to instead of "coilovers".

search ! :)

it's been done before...

KYB's on FWD...
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=94902&referrerid=301

i've heard of V5's on FWD as well.
no guaranties on ride height etc. but it can, and has been done...

oh and did i mention coilovers work too? :)

Jamie

I've read that thread and no one there has put on AWD struts to the "rear" of the car without using some AWD components. I think you should read it closely.

And while you might "have heard", I've actually "tried" doing it and have first hand knowledge that the rears will not fit without a lot of modification and even after that, like I said before, won't optimum since the valving and mounting will be off.

But if anyone wants to try and see for themselves by wasting a whole days worth of labor, you are welcome by all means. ;)

hey. ive experimented pretty extemsively in this area. v6 stock struts on the rear of a FWD dont clear. the bottom wont cleaer the hub, and if u clearance it to work in the bottom, the spring hat will hit your tire. if you ran a coil-over, you might be able to do it bc its got alot more clearance etc.

to do it correctly and keep it FWD, you can do the whole gas tank swap like i did to fit the AWD hubs / struts, or put in some higher rate legacy struts and keep everyuthign FWD. rear gas tank+disc conversion + scoobysport exhaust ran me about $1300

h