impreza shocks?

RidinLow · 12-11-2003, 02:38 PM

Can I use GC8 or WRX wagon shocks on my '97 OB? I plan on keeping the OB springs but I wanted to replace the struts because they've got 100k mi on them.

Thanks!

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whtlegacy · 12-25-2003, 02:25 PM

they'll probably be way underdamped but i _think_ they would fit OK

sybir · 12-25-2003, 04:52 PM

WRX wagon or sedan units should work OK.
IIRC, somebody with a 99 OB used WRX lowering springs on his stock shocks, and the only thing he had to change was rear top mounts; since you'd be keeping stock springs, you should be fine.

It's an odd data point, but I'll be putting a full hybrid Ground Control/WRX setup on my car in the next few days; WRX stock struts, WRX hats, and GC sleeve kit meant for a WRX wagon, with bumped rates in the rear.

I'll let everybody know how it rides; I didn't have enough $$ for AGX's, and the GR2's are a waste if you're lowering the car much, as they're not that much firmer than stock, and seem to blow easily. The nearly-new WRX units should be an OK compromise. Remember, a good portion of Subaru OEM dampers are built by KYB, so they're not innately poor just becuase they're OEM. I've ridden in a BF wagon with the same setup as my car is going to have, with 15k on the setup, and it doesn't seem underdamped, because high spring rates keep it taught enough that it doesn't bounce much.

RidinLow · 12-25-2003, 11:10 PM

Actually, WRX wagon struts wouldn't be underdamped because a WRX wagon is actually within a few pounds of the 1st gen OB's.

So would using WRX wagon struts lower the car any? I'd like to keep the high ride height.

sybir · 12-25-2003, 11:34 PM

They'll lower the car ~40mm, by all accounts. They seem to be the same *general* layout as L/GT stuff, as opposed to OB height. I'd go for it if you can handle a mild drop, but not if you want to stay at stock height. You will also no longer be able to run OB wheels and tires, as, especially in the rear, you'll rub on the new, lower-mounted spring perches due to the taller tires.

RidinLow · 12-25-2003, 11:50 PM

sybir · 12-26-2003, 12:42 AM

I know, it sucks

Remember, GR2's *are* available in stock OB configuration, so all is not lost, just a hair more expensive than WRX takeoffs. I've seen sets for ~300 though, and that's not much more than some WRX takeoffs, which go for $200 or so. I lucked out on mine, and got them for $75 with hats, so my swap is gonna be easy.

The GR2's are probably your best bet, then you're getting brand spanking new shocks, too......

Rally Medic · 01-15-2004, 06:49 AM

they look awesome too

1 Lucky Texan · 01-15-2004, 08:45 AM

Would the Koni yellow inserts be worth doing for the OBS? What springs would go well with Konis for minimal (say 1" +/- a little) lowering?

12-11-2003, 02:38 PM	#1
RidinLow Scooby Guru Member#: 329 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 1995 325i Arctic Gray	impreza shocks? Can I use GC8 or WRX wagon shocks on my '97 OB? I plan on keeping the OB springs but I wanted to replace the struts because they've got 100k mi on them. Thanks! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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12-25-2003, 02:25 PM	#2
whtlegacy Scooby Specialist Member#: 38400 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Cleveland Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon DRZ400SM	they'll probably be way underdamped but i _think_ they would fit OK

12-25-2003, 04:52 PM	#3
sybir Scooby Specialist Member#: 4615 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Don of the Wagon Mafia Vehicle: 05 STi, 97 Leg OB	WRX wagon or sedan units should work OK. IIRC, somebody with a 99 OB used WRX lowering springs on his stock shocks, and the only thing he had to change was rear top mounts; since you'd be keeping stock springs, you should be fine. It's an odd data point, but I'll be putting a full hybrid Ground Control/WRX setup on my car in the next few days; WRX stock struts, WRX hats, and GC sleeve kit meant for a WRX wagon, with bumped rates in the rear. I'll let everybody know how it rides; I didn't have enough $$ for AGX's, and the GR2's are a waste if you're lowering the car much, as they're not that much firmer than stock, and seem to blow easily. The nearly-new WRX units should be an OK compromise. Remember, a good portion of Subaru OEM dampers are built by KYB, so they're not innately poor just becuase they're OEM. I've ridden in a BF wagon with the same setup as my car is going to have, with 15k on the setup, and it doesn't seem underdamped, because high spring rates keep it taught enough that it doesn't bounce much.

12-25-2003, 11:10 PM	#4
RidinLow Scooby Guru Member#: 329 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 1995 325i Arctic Gray	Actually, WRX wagon struts wouldn't be underdamped because a WRX wagon is actually within a few pounds of the 1st gen OB's. So would using WRX wagon struts lower the car any? I'd like to keep the high ride height.

12-25-2003, 11:34 PM	#5
sybir Scooby Specialist Member#: 4615 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Don of the Wagon Mafia Vehicle: 05 STi, 97 Leg OB	They'll lower the car ~40mm, by all accounts. They seem to be the same general layout as L/GT stuff, as opposed to OB height. I'd go for it if you can handle a mild drop, but not if you want to stay at stock height. You will also no longer be able to run OB wheels and tires, as, especially in the rear, you'll rub on the new, lower-mounted spring perches due to the taller tires.

12-25-2003, 11:50 PM	#6
RidinLow Scooby Guru Member#: 329 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 1995 325i Arctic Gray

12-26-2003, 12:42 AM	#7
sybir Scooby Specialist Member#: 4615 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Don of the Wagon Mafia Vehicle: 05 STi, 97 Leg OB	I know, it sucks Remember, GR2's are available in stock OB configuration, so all is not lost, just a hair more expensive than WRX takeoffs. I've seen sets for ~300 though, and that's not much more than some WRX takeoffs, which go for $200 or so. I lucked out on mine, and got them for $75 with hats, so my swap is gonna be easy. The GR2's are probably your best bet, then you're getting brand spanking new shocks, too......

01-15-2004, 06:49 AM	#8
Rally Medic Scooby Specialist Member#: 28249 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Gravel Crew HQ Medic Vehicle: 1998 Outback Sport Dirty with some mud flaps	they look awesome too

01-15-2004, 08:45 AM	#9
1 Lucky Texan Scooby Specialist Member#: 46320 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Outoftheblue&intotheblack Vehicle: 06 WRX Sportwagon Aspen White	Would the Koni yellow inserts be worth doing for the OBS? What springs would go well with Konis for minimal (say 1" +/- a little) lowering?