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Old 03-14-2007, 07:11 PM   #51
Jtree
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read this whole thread and several others and hav'nt found an answer: would 2005 forrester xt strut/spring/topmount bolt up cleanly in my ol' 95 imp wagon?

thnx to any help,

Jtree
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Old 03-21-2007, 08:32 PM   #52
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just wanted to re-clarify this for my own info

v8 jdm struts + springs and GrpN tophats will only work on 02+ WRX's and 04 STi only (will not fit 05 STi)?
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Old 03-22-2007, 12:30 AM   #53
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^^ yes. make sure to get appropriate top hats and springs.
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Old 03-26-2007, 09:46 PM   #54
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Wagon vs Sedan vs 1st gen

I use 1st gen because this applies to both 1st gen AWD Legacies (90-94) and Imprezas. FWD rear suspension is different so you need fwd specific rear struts and tops for them.

1st gen interchangeability:
Any complete awd 1st gen suspension will fit on any other awd 1st gen. Things that will cause problems are wagons and 90-91 Legacies. Wagons have a big ol fat ass and because of this you should only use wagon springs for them. With Imprezas it's not as big of a deal and I don't think there will be much sag using BC/GC sedan or coupe stuff on a GC wagon. Using anything other than 1st gen Legacy wagon stuff on a 1st gen legacy wagon will probably result in a saggy rear end. One exception might be 02-03 Impreza stuff with the taller rear perches shown below. 90-91 Legacies have tapered rear springs and the perches are attached to the strut at a different location, so trying to mix these struts/springs with other springs/struts will result in ride height problems. When I have time I'll do some legacycentral searching to figure out exactly what does what.

02+ Impreza wagons and sedans have the same rear struts and tops, but the wagon springs are taller to the best of my knowledge. Struts are the same even though the sedan has a wider track because the mounting points in the wagon chassis are moved inward (and upward?) a bit. Using these on a first gen will result in about a degree or more less negative camber.

To get them into a 1st gen, you'll also need different tops. A stock GC/92-94 Legacy rear top and perch will fit on an 02-03 Impreza spring. The 02-03 perches will also work with a 1st gen top and is taller. Here is a picture comparing the two:


1st gen on the left.

I'm not sure which is best to use with different combinations. I think probably the short ones on a first gen.

To use 04 springs on a first gen without filing the upper bolt holes (and you need to do it to all three of them), you'll want some 90-91 Legacy AWD tops. They use springs with the same upper diameter as an 04+

For more details on the tops see this post.

Up front the struts are different because of the wider track. Sedan front struts used on a wagon or 1st gen will result in about a degree less negative camber.

1st gen and wagon struts front are very similar and should interchange without trouble or camber issues. BIGSKYWRX should be able to chime in on that.

I am puzzled that complete 06 take-offs will raise ride heights and don't think it should.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceComp Engineering View Post
V8 Spec C fitment will be the same as regular V8. Spec C is just another trim level I guess.

- Andrew
I've heard that Spec C and USDM stuff is exactly the same.

Slotting Struts:
Unless you have access to an endmill, you should probably have a machine shop do this. One mm of slotting works out to almost a degree of camber so you have to be very accurate. I milled my 04 STi front struts on the endmill at work that has a digital readout so that worked well and in the rear I'm using camber bolts. Ride height is about 3/4" lower and I'm pretty happy with my setup.

Last edited by jamal; 05-23-2007 at 04:25 AM.
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Old 03-28-2007, 05:40 PM   #55
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I'm very very confused about the 2006 versus 2002 tophats, springs and struts.

I'm going to get a full set of struts/springs/tophats for both 2002 and 2006 and verify the claims made in this thread. Wont be able to post my findings for a week or so. Cheers,

**edit**

The deal for the 2006 struts/tophats fell through, so i cant verify at all.

Cheers,

Last edited by theostubbs; 04-02-2007 at 01:11 PM.
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Old 04-02-2007, 09:46 PM   #56
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I think i know the answer, but i just want to confirm...

will 06 wrx struts + tophaps fit on an 04 wagon?
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Old 04-02-2007, 10:16 PM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iiiezekieliii View Post
will 06 wrx struts + tophaps fit on an 04 wagon?
Yes the struts will fit (with either set of tophats fwiw) - but with sedan struts on a wagon the camber will be off
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Old 04-02-2007, 10:59 PM   #58
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i can always get an alignment to compensate right?
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Old 04-03-2007, 04:01 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iiiezekieliii View Post
i can always get an alignment to compensate right?
yep and camber bolts.. I got a set of front and rear camber bolts .. waiting for 'em to arrive..

it's mostly track whores that are concerned about all the loss of camber, but for daily drivin', wouldn't worry too much about it.. just get a good alignment to make sure everything's close to spec..
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Old 04-03-2007, 05:58 PM   #60
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I'd really like to know if '03 JDM STi springs will work on my '06 USDM WRX. Will I need any other parts to make it work?
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Old 04-04-2007, 01:12 PM   #61
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Anyone?
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Old 04-04-2007, 02:52 PM   #62
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I can't find any struts listed for '04 + wagon or sedan. I'm trying to piece together a set of AGX for an '06 WRX wagon. As far as I know, I can use 98-01 AGX in the front, but what about in the rear???
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Old 04-04-2007, 06:50 PM   #63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDon427 View Post
I'd really like to know if '03 JDM STi springs will work on my '06 USDM WRX. Will I need any other parts to make it work?
You'll need 02-03 top hats. Suggest doing a search. =)

04+ uses 04+ top hats and springs

02-03 use 02-03 top hats and springs
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Old 04-04-2007, 06:51 PM   #64
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Thanks OP for the info. Now that i know that a set of KYB's will work with my Eibach springs on my 02 sedan, can anyone comment on the quality of this set up? I'm not expecting it to be on par with any set of coilovers, I'm just hoping it wont break by ass every time a cross over crack on the road like my current set of Eibachs paired with broken stock struts with 100k miles on them.
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Old 04-04-2007, 06:52 PM   #65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmike25rs View Post
I can't find any struts listed for '04 + wagon or sedan. I'm trying to piece together a set of AGX for an '06 WRX wagon. As far as I know, I can use 98-01 AGX in the front, but what about in the rear???
04+ WRX rear struts.. there's no wagon specific struts available anymore (aftermarket..) thats why you keep seeing threads on AGX, Koni installs into wagon struts (with heavy modding..)

Get WRX struts, get some camber bolts and/or plates.. you'll be set.
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Old 04-04-2007, 07:16 PM   #66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmike25rs View Post
I can't find any struts listed for '04 + wagon or sedan. I'm trying to piece together a set of AGX for an '06 WRX wagon. As far as I know, I can use 98-01 AGX in the front, but what about in the rear???
You would have to use the 02-03 sedan rears. Strictly speaking, the different fitment means you should use 02-03 springs and 02-03 rear tophats, but the evidence seems to be that you can use 04 springs and tophats without modification (unlike the case of 04+ struts with 02-03 tophats, which require spacers).

Quote:
Originally Posted by jezzy View Post
You'll need 02-03 top hats. Suggest doing a search. =)

04+ uses 04+ top hats and springs

02-03 use 02-03 top hats and springs
Careful - it's not as simple as that. Until (I think) 04, JDM model years were out of step with USDM ones. Hence '03 JDM STi is V8 - and hence has the tapered rear springs like USDM 04+. That's what the OP is seeking clarification of.

See here:

Quote:
Originally Posted by subysouth View Post
Interestingly I dont know if the USDM 2004s come with the revised rear springs/topmounts. I just know that JDM 03+ has them. edit: yes they do.
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Old 04-04-2007, 07:24 PM   #67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UkNuck View Post

Careful - it's not as simple as that. Until (I think) 04, JDM model years were out of step with USDM ones. Hence '03 JDM STi is V8 - and hence has the tapered rear springs like USDM 04+. That's what the OP is seeking clarification of.

See here:
Holy c*w.. okay. JDM 03 is V8 in some cases? okay.. didn't know that one. (making notes) =)

thanks for clarifyin'
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Old 04-04-2007, 07:52 PM   #68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jezzy View Post
Holy c*w.. okay. JDM 03 is V8 in some cases? okay..
In all cases, afaik
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Old 04-04-2007, 10:22 PM   #69
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Ok... so what would the answer to my question be? I have both my stock '06 top hats as well as USDM '03 top hats. Will the '03 top hats work with the JDM '03 springs?
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Old 04-04-2007, 10:33 PM   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDon427 View Post
Ok... so what would the answer to my question be? I have both my stock '06 top hats as well as USDM '03 top hats. Will the '03 top hats work with the JDM '03 springs?
With JDM '03 (Version 8 or USDM 04+) springs, you will need rear Version 8 (meaning 2004+) strut top mounts and rear Version 8 struts, or 02-03 USDM struts and a spacer. Fronts don't matter.

Since you have an 2006, you have everything you need (your car is V8 style tops and springs), so these V8 STi springs should fit right up with no additional mods.

This is ASSuming they are indeed 03 STi JDM springs....and that they are indeed V8 springs with the TAPERED top rear springs.


- Andrew

Last edited by RaceComp Engineering; 04-04-2007 at 11:23 PM.
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Old 04-04-2007, 11:02 PM   #71
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Ok.. So for the rears, if I use '03 struts with '06 springs and tophats to fit an '06 wagon, will I still need spacers?
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Old 04-04-2007, 11:23 PM   #72
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yes you will.

- Andrew
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Old 04-05-2007, 05:02 PM   #73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceComp Engineering View Post
With JDM '03 (Version 8 or USDM 04+) springs, you will need rear Version 8 (meaning 2004+) strut top mounts and rear Version 8 struts, or 02-03 USDM struts and a spacer. Fronts don't matter.

Since you have an 2006, you have everything you need (your car is V8 style tops and springs), so these V8 STi springs should fit right up with no additional mods.

This is ASSuming they are indeed 03 STi JDM springs....and that they are indeed V8 springs with the TAPERED top rear springs.


- Andrew
Thank you very much. I appreciate you taking the time to type it out and explain it to me.
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Old 04-05-2007, 05:06 PM   #74
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No problem, enjoy!

- Andrew
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Old 05-01-2007, 12:53 PM   #75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nate.the.great View Post
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.
So are all the struts the same as far as length, throw, stiffness?
and from what i see here i couls use 05, or any year for that matter, sti struts with my 02-03 springs and top hats, correct??

the reason i ask is because we a put 04 sti complete set up on my friends and his is way lowwer and stiffer, we both are running perrin springs, does anyone know why this may be? i am unning stock 03 struts right now.

any info is greatly apreciated
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