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Old 01-30-2005, 08:08 PM   #1
sha_zapple
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Default AGX or GR2?

So how come the KYB GR2's seem to be the norm for Legacy owners? Do the AGX's not fit, or is there some other reason? I've been told the GR2's are like the stock struts and the AGX's are more performace oriented. I still think im going for H&R and GR2's, since that seems to be the tried and true method.
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Old 01-30-2005, 08:43 PM   #2
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AGX's are adjustable, which can be nice... I've heard the GR2s are like AGXs on setting 2 (1 is soft, 4 is hard).

I've got GR2s on the Outback, and AGXs on the WRX. I leave the AGXs on 2 most of the time. That said... it depends what you want. If you wanna be able to turn your setting up to "brick" get the AGXs
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Old 01-30-2005, 08:56 PM   #3
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AGX's aren't made to fit legacys if i'm correct. So to put them on you'd have to get 02-03 WRX struts with the tophats and a set of springs.
Peace,
Kyle
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Old 01-30-2005, 11:58 PM   #4
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I know for the 00~ they only had GR2's at first. I've heard that AGX's are available now but not sure about that. I myself would take the AGX's as I like to have that adjustability and little more stiffness. The GR2 feels relatively similar to stock but handles stiffer springs better. But my car with H&R's feel underdamped with the GR2's IMO.
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Old 01-31-2005, 01:32 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 95legacy
AGX's aren't made to fit legacys if i'm correct. So to put them on you'd have to get 02-03 WRX struts with the tophats and a set of springs.
Peace,
Kyle
No, I think you are thinking of something else. AGX DO fit on my old Legacy. I believe the rule is that any old-generation Impreza shock will fit on any old-generation Legacy (maybe it only works on AWD Legacies - not sure). In my case, I got AGX designed for a 2000 Impreza RS, and they fit my 90 Legacy AWD perfect and they work great for rallycross. So that addresses the first question - I recommend AGX over non-adjustable GR2's.

I think I heard that new-age WRX suspension IS NOT incompatible with older Imprezas OR older Legacies. So maybe that's what you are thinking of. That's why I recommend getting AGX for an older Impreza and you're cool. Or, maybe you are thinking of the "rear conical springs" incompatability that some old Legacies have. But, that's not an issue because it only relates to springs.

In any case, all I can say is "WORKED FOR ME"
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Old 02-01-2005, 11:54 AM   #6
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Tora-

I've actually been considering getting H&R's with GR2's (2000 GT Sedan). Overall, do you recommend this setup? Mostly it's just a daily driver with a little bit of spirit tossed in on weekends. And (forgive the noobish question) what do you mean by underdamped? Does that indicate that the car is overly "bouncy"?

Thanks a lot!

-Jared
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Old 02-01-2005, 12:30 PM   #7
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Jared, my car is very comfortable and as a street car is good. But, the GR2's are NOT matched properly to the H&R's. They definitely need stronger damping. By underdamped I mean that the GR2's are not socking up as much energy as is needed, or as I would like. I find the underdamping to be most noticable on highspeed dips. Where you are going 60+mph on a windy highway (which I now drive almost every day to work) and hit a dip in the road, the suspension doesn't bottom but on the rebound I feel that it is not "dampening" enough so the car seems to almost launch on rebound which makes traction sketchy. After rebound it takes one more bound/rebound cycle to bring it back to normal. It's MUCH better than stock but I would really like the AGX's with more dampening effect to control the springs and stiffen the ride a little more. I would recommend it though, but if I was still auto-x'ing the car I would definitely buck up and sell these to get soem AGX's.
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Old 02-01-2005, 01:58 PM   #8
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tora: so you are saying that it is still better than stock but not the best. I have the H&R's but have not got the struts yet. What tophats do you have?
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Old 02-01-2005, 02:16 PM   #9
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I changed my front upper spring perches to RS ones. I haven't changed the tophats yet. Will do it when I blow my struts and get new ones.
Yes, it is definitely better than stock with the GR2's but it wasn't as much of a gain as I had hoped for.
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Old 02-01-2005, 02:59 PM   #10
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Thanks for the help. I am planning on getting the Group N tophats. I haven't heard of a spring perch.
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Old 02-01-2005, 03:08 PM   #11
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whats the difference between the "upper spring perches" and "tophats"? I thought they were the same thing.
After taking a teamoneil.com class this weekend i see i need some suspension. If i'm lucky enough, I might be able to find some bilsteins
I've heard the GR-2's are pretty much the same as stock. I'd like something a little better.
tora:
what kind of drop did you see from the H&R springs?
what size rims/tires are you running? any rubbing problems?
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Old 02-01-2005, 03:13 PM   #12
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on my 98 LTD. i'm using STi tophats, H&R with a 1.25 drop with GR2's. i'll take a b4 and after pic when i get a chance.
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Old 02-01-2005, 04:00 PM   #13
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Flanders, the upper spring perch is needed because the H&R's and most other springs are designed for the JDM legacy which has thinner front springs on the top.So you just need the perch where the spring sits, it is metal, or alum....and cheap. It is different that the Grp N. top mounts/strut mounts...it sits below them. You only need to replace the front.

iamrazor, you are right the GR2's are not that much different than stock but they are better. But whether they are worth it is up to you. If I had brand new shocks (stock) I would not both with GR2's but as mine were older I got them...plus I got them for cost.
H&R springs dropped about 1.5 inches. It is a nice even drop (unlike my old Whitelines which drooped in the rear after awhile).
I have run many different combos on my car. Now is '01 RS wheels with 205/55 winter tires. I had 235/45 R17's on before with a RT45, again no rubbing. I also ran Kumho MX 225/45 on Rota's, no rubbing. Hmm...oh and some 225/5016's on the RS wheels as well, and no rubbing.
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Old 02-01-2005, 04:29 PM   #14
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I need a sugar momma!

So I will need to find these spring perches before I install. It will be a while because I won't do the springs until I get the struts and other pieces.
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Old 02-01-2005, 04:46 PM   #15
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Yup. They are easy to find, you can either check a wreckers (they shouldn't be more than 5-10 a piece or get it from the dealership where they shouldn't be more that $15.
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Old 02-02-2005, 11:27 AM   #16
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How many of you with upgraded struts and springs needed camber bolts?
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Old 02-02-2005, 02:05 PM   #17
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Did for me, there is a fair bit of adjustability already in the front, as much as I needed anyways. The rear was pretty good camber wise once it was lowered.
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Old 02-02-2005, 10:36 PM   #18
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ok lets see if i got this straight...for H&R springs you need springs perches and top mounts (STi or Group N) for the front? GR2s are a step or so above stock and AGXs are better b/c there is adjustablity from ride like a Caddy to ride like a brick. I think both of these were listed on Boxer4 for the LGT. And to top it off camber bolts. good grief!!! why can't this car be as simple as my honda was!! j/k. looks like this wont be happening anytime soon!

Kenda
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Old 02-02-2005, 10:42 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADirtyLegacy
ok lets see if i got this straight...for H&R springs you need springs perches and top mounts (STi or Group N) for the front? GR2s are a step or so above stock and AGXs are better b/c there is adjustablity from ride like a Caddy to ride like a brick. I think both of these were listed on Boxer4 for the LGT. And to top it off camber bolts. good grief!!! why can't this car be as simple as my honda was!! j/k. looks like this wont be happening anytime soon!

Kenda
No, you don't quite have it. You do NOT need camber bolts unless you want heaps of adjustability. You do NOT need Sti or Gr N top mounts, stock ones work just fine. AGX do not have a really soft setting, the softest is still stiffer than stock, and the GR2's IMO.
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Old 02-03-2005, 09:38 AM   #20
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For more info, go to:
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/

Over there, this topic gets beaten to death periodically. In fact, it looks like two threads in the past month.
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Old 02-03-2005, 10:05 AM   #21
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Some key info AGX is more expensive... AGX is adjustable
GR2s though are the bang for the buck... Well I got them for a good price.

I'm riding on GR2s with Legacy Eibach Pro kit and its awesome.
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Old 02-03-2005, 10:11 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tora
No, you don't quite have it. You do NOT need camber bolts unless you want heaps of adjustability. You do NOT need Sti or Gr N top mounts, stock ones work just fine. AGX do not have a really soft setting, the softest is still stiffer than stock, and the GR2's IMO.
ok thanks for clearing that up! on a slight sidenote, a guy has some AEM springs up for sale cheaper than the Whitelines i was gonna buy. any info on the AEM? good? bad? run away from them fast?

Kenda
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Old 02-03-2005, 12:26 PM   #23
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I've never heard of AEM springs. sorry.
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Old 02-03-2005, 01:04 PM   #24
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I have not heard of AEM springs, especially for a BE/BH. Double check that they will fit. I picked up the H&R's because of the price. They may not get installed for a year.

Thanks for the info!
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Old 02-05-2005, 12:21 PM   #25
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The AGX fit a Legacy, BUT, they are a bit different. The BOTTOM spring perch is a bit higher (since it was meant for the Impreza). This means using the AGX with a STOCK Legacy spring will raise a GT/L/Brighton off the ground.
Typical is to use the AGX with a Legacy LOWERING spring. The AGX raises the car, the lowering spring lowers the car. The net effect is a mild drop from stock height.
How much depends on how low the lowering sptring is supposed to drop the car.

You can also use some of the Koni struts/inserts for the Impreza. Most reports I have read show the Koni to be a bit smoother than the AGX, but cost even more.
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