what is specifically different in suspension parts between gga/gda wrx?

[Benjamin Tang]

i know that wrx wagon has a shorter track than a wrx sedan, but where exactly is this difference? for example, could i take suspension part from a sedan and transplant it into a wagon?

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[Bolster]

I asked basically the same question a few months back. Here's what I know:

Rear swaybars interchange between GC8, GDA, and GGA's as do endlinks.

The trailing links are the same between the 3, but the GDA has longer lateral links (again in the rear). So the GC8 and GGA share rear control arms (at least as far as dimensions- one may have stiffer bushings than the other, depending on model).

The GGA has longer rear springs than the GDA, which translates into softer springs.

-Bolster

[vsigma]

if you're looking at an entire strut assembly (strut top,strut, springs, assembled) it'll bolt right in. You may have to dremel slightly if you wanted to increase castor manually on your own

sway bar no problem.

Lateral links and so on just been covered.

springs are harder in the rear thanks to the 80 lb weight difference in the wagon as opposed to a sedan.

-victor

[slater]

i thought the strut top mounts in the rear were different between the GDA and GGA; as in, the GDA mounts were 'taller'? does this mean the GDA rear strut shaft is longer as well? (to accomodate the taller strut top mounts?)

[vsigma]

nope - STi lists the same part number for the rears for both the wagon and sedan in the Pink/Red STi book.

[slater]

were those the same part numbers for the struts or the top mounts? (or both?)

peter

[BIGSKYWRX]

I won't add to the confusion of adding GC8 into the discussion as you asked gg vs gd. They utilize the same front and rear tops. That being said, there appears to be a difference in geometry, likely due to the wider track of the gd- different front control arms (transverse links) and different lateral links. This is likely the source of the wider track- longer links (slightly). Almost all suspension manufacturers (including FHI!) call for a different application for gd vs gg, but not all (can't remember which ones off the top of my head). I don't think they would call for a different application to adjust for slightly different damping rates etc- there almost has to be a fundemental difference in geometry between the two.

Big Sky

[slater]

cool, as long as the struts and top mounts are the same, i'm all set.

now, how about the compatibility of GC8 stuff? hehe.

peter

[Benjamin Tang]

argh i'm still lost... i'm agreed on the point that the front lower control arms are not the same, which implies different suspension geometry, but what about up top where the struts bolt into the towers? gga and gda can use the same upper strut bars, so that would imply the mounting points are the same.

i've also been told that the driveshafts are shorter on the wagon than on the sedan.

incidentally i contacted my local JIC dealer about the lack of fitment info on their website, and they answered back saying they have only one fitment for both sedan and wagon in all their models.

i've got nothing better to do

[slater]

ben,

are you running tein wagon coilovers on there now? if so, i'm just curious why you're moving away from them.

peter


ps--i used to be an ITR owner on h-t.com. i'm VERY happy to be away from that scene!

[Benjamin Tang]

another ex-itr owner... i see a pattern here.

i'm running cusco gdb zero-2's in my wagon. i'm finding them too harsh for daily driving and i'm hoping there's something else better for what i need out there.... bridgestone praxis?

[vsigma]

so what are you trying to do then? Is there something in particular you'd like to do, but you just want to see if its even doable?

-victor

[Benjamin Tang]

on occasion i come across complete sti drivetrains w/suspension from gdb's... wondering if it's possible to just dump everything into my wagon and not worry about parts interchangeability.

[slater]

Originally posted by Benjamin Tang
another ex-itr owner... i see a pattern here.

yeah. the theft threat was just too great... plus, mine was yellow; say no more.

Originally posted by Benjamin Tang
i'm running cusco gdb zero-2's in my wagon. i'm finding them too harsh for daily driving and i'm hoping there's something else better for what i need out there.... bridgestone praxis?

actually, the praxis system looks really good (from the limited amount i've seen). depending on price (if it's less than $2K), it will end up on my WRX. it just makes perfect sense.

Originally posted by Benjamin Tang
on occasion i come across complete sti drivetrains w/suspension from gdb's... wondering if it's possible to just dump everything into my wagon and not worry about parts interchangeability.

it should not be a problem at all... as long as you aren't swapping front LCAs. and personally, i would rather stay away from the aluminum ones anyway, if what i heard about their strength is true.

peter

[vsigma]

hmm

interesting, you're thinking about what im planning to do.

i'm assuming the drivetrain you have access to include the following:

tranny, shafts, R180, axels, brakes, suspension (as in struts/springs/tops assembled or some sort of coil over), and maybe even brakes.

be aware of the following for a swap:
- is it a 5 or 6 spd? If its a 6, you'll also need the clutch, flywheel and other bits to make that work - but its pretty much a bolt on affair
- STi tranny has different gearing, so your accel curve is going to be different - so if you dont need the top end speed, its a good value for protection in the long run
- Do you already have upgraded brakes, or do you need them? The standard stuff i've been seeing for sale being offered to me usually come with the 2pot rears - so all you really need is an ebrake cable - since everything else is again, a bolt on replacement
- Make sure it contains all the shafts and what not for the R180, as the shafts from a R160 do not bolt right up to a R180.

hope that helps. To be honest, i've not seen these complete setups come with trailing links. or if they did, they were slightly bent and/or missing.

-victor

[xstar]

I asked about this a few months ago as well. My information pertains to the SPT suspension kit.

According to Rallispec (http://www.rallispec.com), if you put the sedan kit into the wagon, you will get increased postive camber away from factory spec. In some cases, the camber for a particular wheel might actually be positive, without a camber bolt.

Since rallispec has done these types of installs before, I would suggest that you give them a call.

[gtguy]

Also, GC8 stuff will work for the wagon. We use the same lateral link kit (STi) as the GC8, and a board member or two has installed GC8 suspension stuff (STi adjustables) on the wagon. The only concern is that the threads on the rear struts are long enough to clear the taller strut tops on the GG.

The wagon's rear springs are longer and stiffer than the sedan's.

Kevin

[slater]

Originally posted by gtguy
The only concern is that the threads on the rear struts are long enough to clear the taller strut tops on the GG.

kevin, are the GG and GD strut tops different?

peter

[gtguy]

Originally posted by slater


kevin, are the GG and GD strut tops different?

peter

Nope. They're the same, but they are different from the GC, but the same as the Lecacy.

Kevin

[slater]

ahh, okay. thanks for the insight.

peter