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Old 06-08-2003, 10:07 PM   #1
Heather
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Chico, CA
Question Anyone in N. CA with a WRX wagon/20mm rear swaybar and 17" wheels?

I am strongly concidering 17" wheels on my 2003 WRX with a 20mm rear swaybar and KLC26 endlinks. Anyone with the same swaybar and 17" wheels in Northern CA with a stock suspension? Instead of diving into it and perhaps throwing away over $2,000 if I do not like the ride quality or feel, I decided it is much better to test it out before I buy. If you have OZ Superleggra wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport tires, even better since that is what I'd buy! But any 17" wheels with good quality tires and a stock suspension with a 20mm rear bar I'd be willing to test. Just PM me an let me drive your wagon, I'd be very grateful. I live in Chico and can't travel past Sacramento area (6 months pregnant). I can think of no other way to try out 17" wheels before I buy them unless I test drive a STI, but that's a sedan with a different suspension so not a true comparison. Or do you know of anyway to try before you buy wheels and tires? That would be really cool
Heather
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Old 06-09-2003, 02:28 PM   #2
slvrwgn
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Chatsworth, CA
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2003 Impreza WRX Wgn
Silver

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Sorry, I'm in So. Cal

but.....

I do have an '03 wagon with a sedan 20mm rear swaybar, Whiteline rear strut tie bar, & 17" Rota Attacks with Yoko AVS ES100s, done in that order. I do not have upgraded endlinks, but that will probably follow soon.

Here is what I noticed:

After installing the 20mm swaybar I noticed a difference in how flat the car stayed when entering and exiting turns. Not a huge difference, but noticable. No compromise to ride quality.

After installing the strut tie bar, I noticed instantly how it combined with the swaybar to really get rid of the flex in the rear of the car. The only compromise to ride quality is the fact you can feel the rear-end is now stiffer over uneven road and doesn't flex quite as much.

After installing the wheels and tires I noticed the biggest improvement in handling but the also the biggest compromise in ride quality. Granted, I was expecting both, but this is what I noticed: As soon as I drove out of the tire shop I could feel the bumps in the road more than before. It wasn't harsh, or loud, but I could definitely notice a difference. Also, on the freeway the tires really tracked the groves. Overall handling was improved ten-fold, turn in is much more precise and grip was increased far beyond the ability of the stock tire. As more miles are logged on these tires, I'm noticing less of a tendency to track grooves on the freeway, which is a good thing.

I haven't had any complaints of bumpiness, ride harshness, or tire noise from any of my passengers.

I'm very happy with the mods I've done so far. The only further suspension mods planned in the future are the endlinks and some Prodrive springs to clean up the wheel well gap.

Feel free to PM me if you have further questions.

Matt-
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Old 06-10-2003, 10:23 AM   #3
Heather
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Question tire size?

Are your tires 215/45/17 or 225/45/17?

Heather
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Old 06-10-2003, 11:10 AM   #4
BlueRidgeRS
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Location: Lakeland, Florida
Vehicle:
2002 WRX SportWagon
Platinum Silver

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Here's my setup:
-17" Rota Actions
-Falken Azenis 225/45/17
-20 mm sedan rear sway bar
-stock suspension

Car is MUCH more nimble and responsive in the turns. On average dropped at least 2 sec. on autocross courses, mainly due to the Azenis. Ride quality wasn't comprimised much, the Azenis are a little loud on the highway but that's a small price to pay for all the confidence and grip they offer. With the larger wheels and lower profile tires I did notice more road feedback, like railroad crossings, reflectors, holes, etc. Before the 20mm bar with passengers in the rear and taking aggressive corners the rear tires did rub the fenders but with the thicker bar there's been no rubbing yet!

slvrwgn - after the 20mm bar install are you getting any "clunking" or "popping" noises from the rear? I've greased everything I could think of and retightened all the connections but still get the clunking when turning hard or going over speed bumps or driveway entrances.
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Old 06-10-2003, 11:43 AM   #5
garie
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BlueRidgeRS-hey do u have any pics of ur wagon with actions? i have a silver wagon too..and am thinking bout getting the actions. i would like to see how it looks with the stock suspension. thanks!
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Old 06-10-2003, 12:09 PM   #6
BlueRidgeRS
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I've been meaning to take some pix of the new rims but something else always comes up. These pictures were taken last Sunday at Sebring. I'll post some better ones as soon as it's washed and polished



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Old 06-10-2003, 12:10 PM   #7
slvrwgn
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2003 Impreza WRX Wgn
Silver

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Heather -
I'm running 215/45's, and haven't had a problem with rubbing anywhere. The OEM tire size for 17" wheels is 215/45, so I wanted to stay within spec...

BlueRidgeRS -
I haven't had any clunking or popping since installing the swaybar. Its a sedan swaybar and I don't recall greasing anything on the install, just swaping the old for the new. Could it be your jack is a little loose and making the noise you hear?
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Old 06-10-2003, 12:20 PM   #8
BlueRidgeRS
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Platinum Silver

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Found some more pix.









slvrwgn - I haven't tried removing the jack yet but the sound seems to be coming from the right rear. I doubt that it is the jack since it's pretty snug in the holder but I'll give it a try.
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Old 06-10-2003, 06:20 PM   #9
Heather
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Talking Rota's are very nice!

BlueRidgeRS-Wow those Rota Actions look fantastic! So you have 225 tires with no rubbing in the rear fender huh? Are they is Steel Grey? I like it!

I also installed the rear 20mm sedan swaybar in my wagon with no clunking noise at all. You did use 20mm bushings right? May I also suggest that you ditch the plastic endlinks and buy the KLC26 aluminun ones from either Whiteline or PDM racing. Mine were twisted after only 1,000 miles. That plastic is not too strong and will flex, even if it will not break, it will still cause yor swaybar to be less effective and perhaps clunk?
Heather
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Old 06-10-2003, 06:26 PM   #10
slvrwgn
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2003 Impreza WRX Wgn
Silver

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Heather, thanks for the suggestion on the endlinks. I haven't even looked at mine since I installed the swaybar, but I'm sure with the spirited driving I've done I've put a bit of stress on them.
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Old 06-10-2003, 11:19 PM   #11
BlueRidgeRS
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Platinum Silver

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Thanks, but the steel grey Actions are from Subydude.com Found those pictures in another thread. Mine are bronze Rota Actions, they still do get alot of compliments

Eventually I will upgrade the endlinks but since the sedan uses the same plastic ones with the 20mm bar they should be fine for now. I know we're 80 lbs. heavier (probably mostly in the rear) than the sedan which would overstress the endlinks.
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Old 06-11-2003, 01:24 AM   #12
WagonMonster
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I have

Whiteline 20mm Swaybar
Kartboy Droplinks
Prodrive Springs (but I had stock springs for a long time
Prodrive P7's (17x7) with Bridgestone S03's (215/45-17)

The ride is fine

And I'm in San Francisco
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Old 06-11-2003, 10:09 AM   #13
Heather
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Thumbs up Awesome!

I love those wheels WagonMaster! Makes me more confindent of my choice of OZ SL wheels with 215 tires. My goal is to be 100% sure I can get the OZ SL wheels with 225/45/17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. My husband is too worried about the road feel with 215 tires and the offset issues. I will have to convince him that 225's will work and that 48mm will work. He tried to argue with me this morning that our cars were not designed for 17" wheels, but I told him the car is the same, same springs, struts, etc. in all other countries but with 17" wheels so in fact it was designed for 17" wheels and not 16" wheels. He thinks the springs must be different in other countries or all roads in all other countries must be really smooth. I don't think so! I need to do a lot more research to convince him, facts work on him so once I find the right facts (not opinions) I can get him to comply. Too bad I am not Borg or I'd just assimulate him
Heather
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Old 06-12-2003, 08:05 PM   #14
yosemitemtb
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'02 WRX Wagon
Original owner blue pearl

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Here's my setup,

17"Rota Actions
215/45-17 Yokohama AVS ES100
Sedan swaybar installed Tuesday

The 20mm swaybar definitely helps keep the car level. End links are still stock, but those will change when I can decide between the Perrins and the Kartboys. No noise yet. I didn't notice much decrease in ride quality with the bigger rims, but then I was running the re92's at max pressure to keep them from squealing and rolling over on the sidewalls. Tell your husband he can sit on a pillow if he's worried about ride quality (or ride the bus)
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