M2-40's by DMS are on the way for the GC8

[Dave_Clark]

Just letting the people know who have been wanting these. M2 Performance ordered the first set of GC8 struts built to their specs to do some testing on a customer's car. As soon as they are satisfied with it they will be available. I see no reason they won't perform just as incredibly as their WRX version. So we are talking maybe only a month away or so, maybe not that long. It depends on how soon they give an answer.

Spring rates will probably be 260 front/225 rear and rebound will be increased a similar amount as with the WRX spec.


You can reach M2 Performance at www.m2performance.com

Keep in mind it will be another week or so yet before that first set arrives so be patient.

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[Patrick Olsen]

Any idea if the GC8 suspension would be compatible with my beloved Legacy? Are the "normal" DMS Golds that I have now any different than the GC8 Impreza version? If not, then I guess the GC8 M2s should work also.

Pat Olsen
'97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan

[subyguy2]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Deciding on coil-overs is killing me. I was going to order myself some LEDAs this week. But with this new news, I'm torn again.

Its a possibility I may get these now, keep me updated.

[Dave_Clark]

Patrick, yes the GC8 versions will fit on your car. The main difference is in the brackets, as your Legacy has the narrower track like the GC8. Then you just get the GC8-GD rear top mount adapter kit and a pair of GC8 rear top mounts. You can get rid of those pesky angled spring seat adapters that way, too.

[Jon Bogert]

Hi Dave,

The spring rates are 260/225 instead of 180/180. This must change the handling balance towards understeer a bit. What size rear swaybar is recommended with the original and with the M2 kit (GC8 body of course)?

The rebound damping is firmer with the M2 kit. To what extent will this compromise rough/gravel road handling? I'm not going rallying, but it would be nice to know that if I hit a long washboard I won't end up on the bump stops by the end of it!

One more question: is 40mm the overall outside dimater of the strut, or is that the piston size? Tire sidewall clearance is pretty tight in back as it is.

[Dave_Clark]

Originally posted by Jon Bogert
Hi Dave,

The spring rates are 260/225 instead of 180/180. This must change the handling balance towards understeer a bit. What size rear swaybar is recommended with the original and with the M2 kit (GC8 body of course)?

Actually, the standard DMS Gold spring rates for the GC8 are 225/180. You can adjust the balance of the DMS anywhere from understeer, neutral, or oversteer, so no worries. The DMS struts are designed to work with the stock WRX sway bars. On the GC8 that means an 18mm rear bar is what they were designed around, not the puny stock RS bar! It would be best to consult with M2 on what sway bars they recommend for their setup, they have that all sorted out.
Oh, and Kevin Williams (gtguy) has driven his WRX wagon with 260/225 springs and DMS Golds if you want to chat him up about handling comparisons.

The rebound damping is firmer with the M2 kit. To what extent will this compromise rough/gravel road handling? I'm not going rallying, but it would be nice to know that if I hit a long washboard I won't end up on the bump stops by the end of it!

Well again, as a disclaimer, the Golds are not intended for rallying but a bit of gravel road driving won't hurt them. I think the rebound on the M2's is about 23% higher. This is to their specs as they felt the rebound on the standard Golds should be increased for more aggressive, performance (ie: autocross, etc.) driving. Who knows, the M2 spec may even be better than the standard Golds for gravel roads. In any case there are 30 positions of damping adjustment. You can set them from softer than stock to really stiff, so you won't have to worry about bottomming out.

One more question: is 40mm the overall outside dimater of the strut, or is that the piston size? Tire sidewall clearance is pretty tight in back as it is.

40mm is the piston size. The mounting bracket ears on the DMS are made longer so as to move the strut further away from the tire to give more tire clearance. However, if you are running really wide tires then clearance can still be tight depending on the camber you use.

[Patrick Olsen]

Originally posted by DMS USA:
Then you just get the GC8-GD rear top mount adapter kit and a pair of GC8 rear top mounts. You can get rid of those pesky angled spring seat adapters that way, too.

I wouldn't need to do that, would I? They should bolt right up in place of my existing struts, right? I'm not sure I'm going to do this swap at all, but I'm definitely interested. I think that firmer rebound damping would be right up my alley. Decisions, decisions....

Pat