Has anyone tried using stock New Age WRX struts/springs in the older Imprezas? Specifically, in a 98 Impreza Wagon? I know the struts will bolt up, but the rear geometry is slightly different. I have Eibach springs that are made for the GC/GF8 body, so could I use those on the WRX struts, with WRX top mounts?

I had thought about doing this a month or so ago, and ran into funding issues... I'm not sure if you can use the GC springs with the GD struts/top hats (someone else may be able to verify). You will most definitely need the camber adjustability in the rear. The biggest problem is this - due to the lower weight of the earlier body style, the GD suspension gives the GC (not sure about the wagon, but the coupe anyway) a 3/4" LIFT. Then I started looking into WRX lowering springs... That's where the funding issues started. (GD suspension PLUS lowering springs PLUS camber bolts...)

Good luck!

From my understanding of things, the front struts will fit fine. The rears on the GD/GC chassis have different top mounts. However, people have used the KYB AGX's made for GC's on their GD's, and they get something like -3 degrees of camber in the back. I would think that using the GD struts on a GC would give you positive camber, which would then be somewhat offset by lowering springs...

I will have the GDA suspension in a couple of weeks, so I'll give it a try unless someone specifically says it's a bad idea. And even then I'll still probably try. :D

I have heard it was a bad idea, but don't know anyone from 1st hand experience....I would say try something that is made for your model. I know someone who has some stock 99 RS struts for sale, very low miles and cheap if you would rather go that route, and they will work on your car. Or get the KYB AGX used or new. Did you find some WRX struts for very cheap?
blah blah blah, just some 3 cents I try to add ;). Got any pics of your wagon?
-Joe

What I have heard is the the springs and struts will fit (according to Jeff) research showed that the front top mounts will fit, but the rears should be replaced for the GC style.

I don't know what the difference is, but that is what I have seen and read

So, has anybody tried the GDA struts on the GC/GF plaform yet? Rear top mounts are a given and rear camber issues based on all the threads about installing GC kyb's on the GDA. Are there differences between the struts for the GC and GF platform?

Wow, back from the dead...

My WRX/L swap is having the wiring finished. The suspension in it is currently a mutt. :)

Front: WRX struts, WRX springs, WRX top mounts. All bolt in.
Rear: WRX struts, L springs, L top mounts. The top mounts were necessary to bolt it in.

This is just a temporary thing until I sort things out and decide what I'm doing for a suspension in the car... No pics yet, but hopefully later this week.

What was the reasoning for the use of the L springs in the rear? Did the WRX springs have trouble with the L top mounts? I have seen on an early legacy (same top mount as GC?) that the GD spring was reatained, but I am not sure of the top mount config.

I don't remember exactly why, but I know there was a good reason for it.. :) Most likely what you said, the WRX springs didn't line up with the L mounts.

I need to get my hands on some GC rear mounts (L, RS or STi) and see if they will accept the WRX spring. I also wonder about the heigth of the rear lower spring perch being different on the two generations. I think the WRX's lower spring perch being slightly higher could raise the rear a little more, but if it is a wagon it may be just the thing for a little added weight on sedan springs.

Anyone else?

I will be installing(trying to install) gda strut assemblies on my 00rs coupe this afternoon. I'll post later tonight what problems I run into.

Great thread!!!!!!!!!!

RS struts should bolt directly into a 98 Impreza L, right? are top mounts or anything like that required? Will they bolt directly into a 93 Impreza L as well? Do I need topmounts?

~~Quentin

i've seen WRX struts/ springs put on a 94 FWD L
i believe the old rear tops were reused, but the fronts are the same, or very close.

the car sat much higher, but boy was it stiff!

PM MCU81 about this, he was the one who did it.

Murray

Originally posted by liberty2000rs
I will be installing(trying to install) gda strut assemblies on my 00rs coupe this afternoon. I'll post later tonight what problems I run into.

Great thread!!!!!!!!!!

Liberty, any progress?