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Old 10-27-2004, 06:40 PM   #1
REX Tuner
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Question tech question about 02/03 vs. 04 suspension

Is there any technical/physical differences between the 02/03 WRX OEM susp vs 04 WRX OEM susp?
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Old 10-27-2004, 06:44 PM   #2
vile
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iirc, the rear sway bar mounts are waaaay beafier on the '04. can't think of any other differences....oh wait, i believe that the sedan rear sway are on the '04 are no longer 20mm...dropped to 18mm

someone might wanna double check these
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Old 10-27-2004, 06:50 PM   #3
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Thanks, vile. What I'm actually looking for and should have been more specific is in relation to springs/struts.
Are the springs the same for both?
Is the same strut used for both?

If they were side by side, all things being equal which is better if they differ?
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Old 10-27-2004, 07:00 PM   #4
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02/-3 WRX sedans came with 20mm rear sway bars, the late 03's and 04's got shafterd and only got 17mm in the rear
The rear strut tops and springs are shaped differently on the 04's
The rear sway bar mounts are a bit heavier duty on the 04's

The 02/early 03 sedan suspension would be better, only because of the factory 20mm rear sway bar. Otherwise the damping and spring rates are the same on the WRX's
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Old 10-27-2004, 08:21 PM   #5
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Thanks, gentlemen
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Old 10-28-2004, 02:18 AM   #6
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Actually the 04 struts are very different from the 02/03. they had the "dual stage" damping, as some called it. They are quite a bit more firm compared to the 02/03. As Dave mentioned the rear springs and top hats are different on the 04's. Also the rear strut piston end is different between the two, necessitating the use of 04 hats and springs on 04 struts (like the STi V8). also the lower spring perches on the 04's are much larger than the 02/03's.







From my experience, the 04's made some decent improvements on the struts/spring combo over the 02/03. Plus you have the latest STi pink spring possibilities to throw on there as well as compatibility with STi V8 struts, which I feel are an improvement over the V7 struts. Sure the model year got smaller rear sway bar, but that is a cheap and easy fix.
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Old 10-28-2004, 12:13 PM   #7
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^^^^^^^^^^^^

what he said - nice pics!
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Old 11-02-2004, 10:28 PM   #8
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So what I'd have to do to say.....install Ver. 8 takeoffs(complete) in my 02 WRX sedan would be to just bolt them in. Now, to add lowering springs(tein s-tech) I would have to specify a spring for the Ver. 8, correct?
I'm looking to do this exact swap if it'll work. I currently run a stock strut with the TEIN S-tech springs. I'm looking to install the Ver. 8 struts to firm up the ride and get ride of my excessive diving when braking at autocross events.

Cheers,
Paco
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Old 11-02-2004, 10:54 PM   #9
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Paco you are correct on both counts- v8 complete setup (including tops) will bolt right in. If you want differrent springs they must be v8 style springs.

Big Sky
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Old 11-03-2004, 05:41 AM   #10
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Thanks again for your help, now I need to find a set of Tein S-techs for the Ver. 8. AHHHH, it's almost complete. I'm running out of mods to do. A good thing I guess cause $ is tight. Man, this hobby is addictive.

Paco
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Old 11-03-2004, 01:21 PM   #11
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If an entire V8 setup will work with cars that had a V7 setup, then why do coilover manufactures (Tein) develope/specify a different product/# for the newer wrx/sti?

Or am I mistaken?
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Old 11-03-2004, 01:59 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ritky
If an entire V8 setup will work with cars that had a V7 setup, then why do coilover manufactures (Tein) develope/specify a different product/# for the newer wrx/sti?

Or am I mistaken?
The v7 and v8 differ in the rear, the v8 has a re-designed rear strut top (better design), the rear springs are thus tapered at the top to fit this redesigned top. If you have the correct rear tops/springs- either will fit. I'm running the v7 STi wagon setup in my v8 04 wagon.

The new rev e STi (USDM 05) is a different animal altogether- it has different width strut "ears" to accomodate a thicker knuckle- they have to design a new coilover for it. Coilovers from 02-05 (WRX) should be interchangable.

Big Sky
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Old 11-03-2004, 04:01 PM   #13
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I guess I was mistaken. Geez, my memory is fading and I'm still young....
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Old 11-03-2004, 06:17 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGSKYWRX
The v7 and v8 differ in the rear, the v8 has a re-designed rear strut top (better design)...
Why do you say its better? Not arguing, just wondering.
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Old 11-03-2004, 09:16 PM   #15
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My memory is going too- but I have an excuse- I'm old

The v7 top had some issues w/ NVH and clunking, you can see how the lower part is ofset from the upper:



Under certain conditions the top can twist slightly.

The v8 is almost solid hardened rubber, no offset- no twist. The top can be smaller due to the tapered rear v8 spring.



FHI has been slowly revising it's rear tops, the v7 design is different again than the v5/6 design. Remarkably the front remains unchanged .

Big Sky
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Old 11-04-2004, 09:33 AM   #16
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Good info - Thanks!
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