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Old 01-04-2007, 02:53 PM   #1
nate.the.great
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Default Will X shocks fit with Y springs on my Z model?

FYI
1. 04+ means 04 and up
2. suspensions between 02+ and the 04 STi are interchangeable. for example, you can run KYBs with 03 springs and 03 tophats on your 05 WRX.
3. any strut made for an 02-03 WRX can be used with 04+ WRX springs and 04+ WRX tophats, but you will need strut spacers from TiC.
http://www.turninconcepts.com/produc...roducts_id=234
4. any strut made for an 02-03 WRX can be used with 04 STi springs and 04 STi tophats, but you will need strut spacers from TiC.
5. any strut made for an 04+ WRX cannot be used with 02-03 springs and 02-03 tophats.
6. 02-03 springs require 02-03 tophats
7. 04+ springs require 04+ tophats

Struts

Strut: KYB AGX
Springs: All springs will fit. However, 02-03 springs must use 02-03 top hats. 04+ springs must use 04 and up top hats AND a washer from TiC.
Models: This strut assembled properly with springs and tophats will fit, 02+ WRX, and 04 STi. This strut assembled properly will not fit 05+ STis due to the front knuckle redesign. My understanding is that the rears will fit 05+ up STis.

Strut: Tokico D-Spec
This strut fits the same as the KYB AGX.

Strut: Koni Insert
Notes: Koni only makes inserts for use, so in order to use them you will need struts from an 02+ WRX. STi struts will not work because they are inverted. You take the 02+ WRX struts and hack them up. *insert link here for directions)
Springs: All springs will fit. However, 02-03 springs must use 02-03 specific Konis and 02-03 tophats. 04+ springs must use 04+ Konis and 04+ tophats.
Models: This strut assembled properly with springs and tophats will fit, 02+ WRX, and 04 STi. This strut assembled properly will not fit 05+ STis due to the front knuckle redesign. My understanding is that the rears will fit 05+ up STis.

Strut: Ohlin Fixed Perch 04+ WRX and 04 STi
Notes: These babies cost $$$!
Springs: Only 04+ springs will fit because 04+ tophats must be used.
Models: This strut assembled properly with springs and tophats will fit, 02+ WRX, and 04 STi. This strut assembled properly will not fit 05+ STis due to the front knuckle redesign. My understanding is that the rears will fit 05+ up STis.

Strut: Ohlin Fixed Perch 05+ STi
Notes: These are pricey and rare. If you want them contact http://racecompengineering.com/ or www.gtworx.com. Arguably the best fixed struts for the Impreza.
Springs: Only 04+ springs will fit because 04+ tophats must be used.
Models: This strut assembled properly with springs and tophats will fit 05+ STis. This strut assembled properly will not fit 02+ WRX, and 04 STi due to the front knuckle design.

Suspension TakeOffs

V7 is equivalent to the 02-03 WRX model years in the US.
V8 is equivalent to the 04-05 WRX, and 04 STi model years in the US.
V9 is equivalent to the 05+ STi model years in the US.

When talking about full takeoff suspensions, V7 and V8 are interchangeable. So, a V8 suspension will fit on your 2002 WRX just like a V7 suspension will fit on your 2005 WRX.

If you want to fit a 2005+ STi (V9) suspension on your WRX...
Quote:
Originally Posted by tom@kartboy View Post
you just need to slot the lower bolt hole up 0.330 and machine a spacer to makeup the width difference in the knuckle.
Let's make this really simple.

For the fronts...

The fronts have two bolt up configurations.
Configuration 1 - 02 to 07 WRX and 04 STi
Configuration 2 - 05 to 07 STi

Struts have two configurations.
Configuration X - 02 to 07 WRX and 04 STi
Configuration Y - 05 to 07 STi

Springs have one configuration.

Top Hats have one configuration.

There are four possible configurations...
1X - works with no modification
2Y - works with no modification
1Y - works with modification / spacers
2X - never works (unless you like welding)

For the rears...

The rears have one bolt up configuration.

Struts have two configurations.
Configuration X - 02 to 03 WRX
Configuration Y - 04 to 07 WRX or STi

Springs have two configurations.
Configuration A - 02 to 03 WRX
Configuration B - 04 to 07 WRX or STi

Top Hats have two configurations.
Configuration 1 - 02 to 03 WRX
Configuration 2 - 04 to 07 WRX or STi

There are eight possible configurations...
XA1 - works without modification
XA2 - doesn't work
XB1 - doesn't work
XB2 - works with spacers
YA1 - works without modification (need to double check)
YA2 - doesn't work
YB1 - doesn't work
YB2 - works without modification

Last edited by nate.the.great; 05-14-2009 at 06:13 PM.
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Old 01-04-2007, 02:59 PM   #2
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Default

Nice post. Now add Ohlins Fixed Perch struts to the mix!!!!!
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Old 01-04-2007, 03:01 PM   #3
nate.the.great
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTWORX.com View Post
Nice post. Now add Ohlins Fixed Perch struts to the mix!!!!!
i had a question about them. do they make a type that will fit 02-03 rears?
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Old 01-04-2007, 03:05 PM   #4
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You can use the 04 spec on an 02-03 but you will need to upgrade to Version 8 top hats.

-Dan
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Old 01-04-2007, 03:38 PM   #5
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Lots of great, easy to understand information here. Unabomber's Manifesto should link to this.
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Old 01-04-2007, 06:59 PM   #6
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Heck yeah! Thanks for the PM TRooper. I tried to do this ages ago and got no support. Now, I WISH this list had the popular JDM springs/struts on it like:

Ver 8 will fit what
Ver 7 will fit what
Spec C will fit what

Those are the most commonly used JDM suspensions I've seen but there isn't a list to my knowledge of what will fit what or what you have to do that is "ghetto" to make them fit. I'll like this into one of my FAQs later.
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Old 01-04-2007, 09:44 PM   #7
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You should add the wagon/sedan differences as well.
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Old 01-04-2007, 11:03 PM   #8
rallymarty
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i'm glad this has been brought up. the "washer" mod only pertains to the rear tophat, correct? the front tophats are the same? i have an 02 and want to use 04+ springs (crucial).
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Old 01-05-2007, 07:17 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rallymarty View Post
i'm glad this has been brought up. the "washer" mod only pertains to the rear tophat, correct? the front tophats are the same? i have an 02 and want to use 04+ springs (crucial).
Yes.

You'll need new rear tophats and the washer mod (bad) or the Scooby921 spacer (good - from Turn in Concepts).
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Old 01-05-2007, 10:41 AM   #10
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Default

Awesome write up !

Add:

Only 05+ STI struts fit the 05+ STI's because of (5x114.3 config), won't fit any 02-07 WRX's (sedan/wagons)
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Old 01-05-2007, 10:45 AM   #11
nate.the.great
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jezzy View Post
Awesome write up !

Add:

Only 05+ STI struts fit the 05+ STI's because of (5x114.3 config), won't fit any 02-07 WRX's (sedan/wagons)
actually... there was a knuckle redesign in 05+ STis so the fronts won't fit. but to my knowledge the rears still fit.
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Old 01-05-2007, 10:51 AM   #12
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Sir. I believe you're correct ! I 'think' the rears fit but the front was the problem..
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Old 01-05-2007, 10:52 AM   #13
nate.the.great
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to make the fronts fit...

Quote:
Originally Posted by tom@kartboy View Post
you just need to slot the lower bolt hole up 0.330 and machine a spacer to makeup the width difference in the knuckle. took me about an hour total.

Tom
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Old 01-05-2007, 11:09 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nate.the.great View Post
Strut: Ohlin Fixed Perch
Notes: These are pricey and rare. If you want them contact http://racecompengineering.com/ or www.gtworx.com. Arguably the best fixed struts for the Impreza.
Springs: Only 04+ springs will fit because 04+ tophats must be used.
Models: This strut assembled properly with springs and tophats will fit, 02+ WRX, and 04 STi. This strut assembled properly will not fit 05+ STis due to the front knuckle redesign. My understanding is that the rears will fit 05+ up STis.
There is an 05+ STi specific Ohlins Fixed Perch application.

- Andrew
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Old 01-05-2007, 12:03 PM   #15
ExitVisa
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nate.the.great View Post
FYI
1. 04+ means 04 and up
2. suspensions between 02+ and the 04 STi are interchangeable. for example, you can run KYBs with 03 springs and 03 tophats on your 05 WRX.
3. any strut made for an 02-03 WRX can be used with 04+ WRX springs and 04+ WRX tophats, but you will need strut spacers from TiC.
http://turninconcepts10.chainreactio...1e59c383151ffd
4. any strut made for an 02-03 WRX can be used with 04 STi springs and 04 STi tophats, but you will need strut spacers from TiC.
5. any strut made for an 04+ WRX cannot be used with 02-03 springs and 02-03 tophats.
4. 02-03 springs require 02-03 tophats
5. 04+ springs require 04+ tophats
Am I seeing things, or are #4 and #5 in there twice? Other than that I like it. JDM spring references would be a good addition.
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Old 01-05-2007, 01:03 PM   #16
strohk
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nate.the.great View Post

I'm looking for more info on takeoffs. like... Does a V8 Spec C suspension bolt up the same as a regular V8 suspension?
Exactly the same. The only difference between V8 Spec-C and V8 STi is the front spring.
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Old 01-05-2007, 01:44 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nate.the.great View Post
I'm looking for more info on takeoffs. like... Are V9 takeoffs only compatible with 05+ STis? Does a V8 Spec C suspension bolt up the same as a regular V8 suspension?

V8 Spec C fitment will be the same as regular V8. Spec C is just another trim level I guess.

V9 JDM STi will be the same as 05+ USDM STi.


- Andrew
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Old 01-05-2007, 01:56 PM   #18
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Hey... what about the differences between wagon and sedan stuff?

Like... springs; especially for people who don't want the rake to change because the wrong spring set was used.
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Old 01-05-2007, 02:31 PM   #19
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everyone always forgets about us GC peoples
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Old 11-21-2013, 05:20 PM   #20
icc2492
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Subaruski View Post
everyone always forgets about us GC peoples
Pff, I only think about GC. And I'm an LGT guy!
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Old 01-05-2007, 06:03 PM   #21
nate.the.great
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i'm working on the GC and wagon stuff. i love you guys, but i know more about GD because i own one!
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Old 01-06-2007, 10:13 AM   #22
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Please keep working, I love you for this!
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Old 01-24-2007, 08:27 PM   #23
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subscribing for GC stuff.

I see several 02-03 and 04 coilover setups I would like to jump on asap.

I will re-drill my rear strut mounts if necessary....

Thanks!

-- Dave
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Old 01-24-2007, 08:48 PM   #24
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I've heard that you CAN (from about 3 people) use 04 struts with 02/03 springs and tophats. Are you 100% sure you can't?
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Old 01-24-2007, 09:23 PM   #25
AcquaCow
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REX8 View Post
I've heard that you CAN (from about 3 people) use 04 struts with 02/03 springs and tophats. Are you 100% sure you can't?
Is this in response to my post?

Yes, I can use stock 02-03 setups, as long as I use a rear GC tophat.

My issue is (and I'm pasting this from the other tophat thread...) that I have a really nice set of Apexi N1 Type V coilovers on my RSTi (GC Chassis) in 8k/6k variety and I found two sets in 7k/4k variety for sale, but they are for 02-03 cars...

I wanna see what it takes to make those tophats fit the GC.

If two of the bolts are the same distance as the GC bolt holes, then I only need to elongate one hole and the strut will still be centered properly...

If all 3 are different, then I have to buy a different top hat.

Depending on the price of the aftermarket tophats that fit, I may choose a different option, ie koni inserts.


Thanks,

-- Dave
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