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Old 04-26-2012, 10:40 AM   #1
Donzo
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Putnam/Westchester NY
Vehicle:
2018 WRX Limited

Default Planning suspension upgrade for Spec.B

Ok, so I've been researching proper suspension setups for my car and figured I'd post some info up here in case any of you are in the same boat or just want something to read. I'm going off of the Legacy platform but some information may be useful for you guys.

DISCLAIMER: First and foremost, I didn't want to go with coilovers due to the added cost as well as added maintenance. I also don't need all of that adjustability. They're overengineered for my needs, which is a daily driver that handles well, has a more appealing ride height, and retains some of it's comfortable characteristics. Remember, it's a Legacy, not a WRX or STi. The Legacy is the Subaru's flagship luxury model and that's why I bought it. Not to turn it into what my WRX was.

I decided on the Swift springs. They're JDM, just like the JDM Pink springs, and very good quality. They also give quite a bit of a drop compared to other springs, yet have a very good ride quality, especially when paired with the Bilsteins. Below is a chart on spring rates, the drop data may be off a bit. Also, I'm on Bilstein struts which has different tophats so a JDM spring is more appropriate for my vehicle.

http://subiwiki.com/wiki/index.php/B..._Modifications

Stock.......=..3.5 kgf/mm F.... 5.5 kgf/mm R
Pinks..........=..4 kgf/mm F....... 6 kgf/mm R
Tein S-tech.=..4.2 kgf/mm F.... 6.0 kgf/mm R
Swifts.........=.4.25 kfg/mm F... 6.6 kgf/mm R

If lowering any more than 1", the suspension geometry will be thrown off and car may have what's called "bump steer". An FRC (front roll center) or bump steer correction kit is recommended. I'll likely go with the Whiteline kit below since it includes both and should tighten things up quite a bit.

KCA313
http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_...sans_vehicle=1




Also, the Legacy stock suspension doesn't allow for rear camber adjustment so I'll likely get the Whiteline rear camber bolts. When lowering the car, it'll actually add too much negative camber, something around -2.5* so I can get bushings which will give me back 1* and set me to -1.5*. I'm still not sure if I should get the camber bolts, or camber bushing.

KCA399
http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_...sans_vehicle=1





A few guys get adjustable lateral links but this is my daily driver and won't be a track car, so I don't feel it's necessary to replace half of the suspension components. Not to mention, the Spec.B comes with lots of upgraded suspension over the standard GT models. This isn't really an option for me right now mainly due to the cost, and the car only has 27k miles on it so I don't want to start replacing things just yet. And like I said, it's a comfortable daily driver. I have no desire to turn it into a stiff, bouncy, track car.

KTA124
http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_...sans_vehicle=1




So, to sum it up, this is pretty much my checklist:

1. Tires (Good set of tires)
2. Swift Springs (on the Rev C Bilsteins)
3. Front WL KCA313
4. Rear WL KCA399
5. (If I wanted to do what some of the other, suspension gurus get, which they think I'd be better served over the long-haul with) rear WL KTA124 and the KCA307 Rear Toe Lock bolts.
3. Performance alignment -1.0 front/-1.5 rear camber, 0* toe, 0* cross-camber.
4. And eventually, front WL KCA334 or AVO S1X03E1GV002T rear LCA bushings - when the stock ones fail.


I came up with this list with the help from the guys over at LGT.com who are very knowledgeable. I posted what I gathered here to share the information as well as get some feedback from you guys. Thanks.
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Old 06-02-2012, 02:58 AM   #2
SubyStud555
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Member#: 185048
Join Date: Jul 2008
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: Flower Mound, TX
Vehicle:
07 Legacy Spec B
06 SGM Sti

Default

Nice write up. I am doing the same thing you are but replacing more. Still waiting on some of the bushings to show up but will be doing them all at the same time maybe in a few weeks. Here is a list of what Im replacing:

KCA313-WL Front Roll Bump Steer Kit
AVO LCA Front Bushings
AVO Caster Bushing Offset .5
AVO Steering Shaft Bushing
KDT901-WL Positive Shifter Kit
KCA399-WL Rear Camber Kit
KDT905-WL Rear Differential Mount Bushings
KDT906-WL Rear Differential Mount Bushings
KTA124-WL Adjustable Rear Control Arm Kit
KCA307-WL Rear Toe Lock Bolt Kit
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Old 06-02-2012, 02:58 AM   #3
SubyStud555
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Join Date: Jul 2008
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Location: Flower Mound, TX
Vehicle:
07 Legacy Spec B
06 SGM Sti

Default

Nice write up. I am doing the same thing you are but replacing more. Still waiting on some of the bushings to show up but will be doing them all at the same time maybe in a few weeks. Here is a list of what Im replacing:

KCA313-WL Front Roll Bump Steer Kit
AVO LCA Front Bushings
AVO Caster Bushing Offset .5
AVO Steering Shaft Bushing
KDT901-WL Positive Shifter Kit
KCA399-WL Rear Camber Kit
KDT905-WL Rear Differential Mount Bushings
KDT906-WL Rear Differential Mount Bushings
KTA124-WL Adjustable Rear Control Arm Kit
KCA307-WL Rear Toe Lock Bolt Kit
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Old 06-02-2012, 05:28 AM   #4
Uncle Scotty
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westcoastroasting.com

Default

i wouldn't do those springs.....we(me and another board member) installed those swifts on jdm spec b bilsteins on his lgt and he hated it....it was just too low and the springs were just a poor match to the dampers

we swapped the springs back and it was perfect

if i had a leggy....id do the jdm springs

and i would 100% no possible doubt....CALL MYLES at Race Comp Engineering
he had/has a spec b
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Old 06-08-2012, 09:22 AM   #5
Donzo
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2018 WRX Limited

Default

Thanks, Scotty. Yes, Myles is a big contributor to the Legacy community. Awesome guy.

I ended up not getting Swifts and got a brand new set of JDM Pink springs. Haven't had time to install them yet. I also sold the LCA kit since the Pinks only lower the car 0.6". I'll update the thread once I get the springs on.

SubyStud, definitely let me know how everything works out. Are you going to be tracking the car at all? I want to keep it as simple as possible since it's my daily driver.
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Old 06-08-2012, 12:45 PM   #6
SubyStud555
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07 Legacy Spec B
06 SGM Sti

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Donzo View Post
Thanks, Scotty. Yes, Myles is a big contributor to the Legacy community. Awesome guy.

I ended up not getting Swifts and got a brand new set of JDM Pink springs. Haven't had time to install them yet. I also sold the LCA kit since the Pinks only lower the car 0.6". I'll update the thread once I get the springs on.

SubyStud, definitely let me know how everything works out. Are you going to be tracking the car at all? I want to keep it as simple as possible since it's my daily driver.
Will do and yes I am going to start tracking the car once all the bushings have been replaced.
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Old 06-11-2013, 05:48 PM   #7
pandorasConundrum
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Default Bump!

I realize this thread is a year old, but I was hoping for some feedback on the suspension upgrades? Did you guys go through with it? Do you like it? did you change anything since then? Looking to upgrade my spec.B and would love some feedback.
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Old 06-12-2013, 04:16 PM   #8
Donzo
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2018 WRX Limited

Default

UPDATE:

One of my stock Bilstein struts was blown (with only 20k miles), so I decided it would be best to just scrap the whole spring/strut idea and get coilovers since I would have to send out the strut to be rebuilt/replaced.

I had the JDM Pink springs but sold them before installing and ended up picking up a set of RCE Tarmac coilovers. I still haven't decided what I want to do with my blown strut. Send it out, replace it, or sell all 4 of them.

I also sold the Whiteline kit I had. I'm currently on the fence if I should just install the KCA399 or go all out and buy the WL KTA124 lateral links. I hate to throw money into a daily driver but the alignment shop couldn't get my rear alignment anywhere passed the stock specs and I'd like slightly more camber. I'm not terribly low, but I'm running 18x9 +45 with 235/40 tires and if I can't dial in more camber, I can't go any lower. Ideally I'd like to go about 1/2" lower.




Last edited by Donzo; 06-12-2013 at 04:22 PM.
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Old 06-12-2013, 11:55 PM   #9
drogos
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Default

what wheels do you have?
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Old 07-02-2013, 03:14 AM   #10
SubyStud555
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Vehicle:
07 Legacy Spec B
06 SGM Sti

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pandorasConundrum View Post
I realize this thread is a year old, but I was hoping for some feedback on the suspension upgrades? Did you guys go through with it? Do you like it? did you change anything since then? Looking to upgrade my spec.B and would love some feedback.
Sure did, I upgraded all my bushings to polyurethane and have done every suspension upgrade available for the 4th gen Legacy sedan's and I love how the car rides, feels, and handles! The car feels so solid and handles like a race car! There isn't one suspension upgrade that I wouldn't recommend.











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