Wagon Suspension- read and post your setups

[SilverFleet]

On the 04+ rear tophats, do I need wagon specific ones, or do sedan ones work too? I'm planning on doing this really soon (in the next few weeks), so I might hit up the local for sale /wanted section to see what people have lying around. I saw that the spring rates on the Swifts were a little weak. Are the RCE wagon springs the best out there for this setup?

Also, I've been told that my rear wheels will rub if I'm running the 18's I have. I'm pretty sure they have a +48 offset. The stockers won't rub, right?

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[labcoat]

Originally Posted by SilverFleet

On the 04+ rear tophats, do I need wagon specific ones, or do sedan ones work too?

There are only one type they work on both wagons and sedans.

Are RCE the best well that depends (a very subjective statement)t hey are much stiffer then stock, and great performance springs. That being said you will want to replace your stock struts to work with RCE wagon springs.

To know what is best we need to know what you are doing DD, AutoX, Track days?

I can tell you the most popular spring I read about is the STI Pink spring also stiffer then stock, and you may want to consider new struts as well.

I think you need to do some more research before you make a purchase.

Just my 2 cents.

R-

[SilverFleet]

The car is a daily driver. The stock struts are worn out and the springs, especially in the rear, creak and squeak quite a bit. It's really harsh over the bumps these days. I've heard good things about the D-Specs, so those would probably be the struts I'd go with, as long as they work on wagons. I've done some research on this, but I just wanted to make sure that I buy the best setup that I can for my budget the first time around.

[labcoat]

Originally Posted by SilverFleet

The car is a daily driver.

I've heard good things about the D-Specs, so those would probably be the struts I'd go with, as long as they work on wagons.

With D-specs the RCE's would be good, However the D-specs struts are sedan struts (most are) so the facts are sedan struts on a wagon means a loss of negative camber 0.7 degree to 1 degree. You will need an alignment, our fount have camber bolts so it can be fixed, the rear do not, However the rear should have -1.3 degree from the factory IIRC so you end up OK in the back. When you go for an alignment, you were getting an alignment right, the most common recommendation is to max out the negative camber in the front and make them equal left to right. Ask for zero toe all around and leave the rear alone.

Have you looked at the STI pinks for the wagon? Wagon Pinks they are not as aggressive of a spring. Perhaps maybe a better DD spring (again subjective) they also have less drop then the RCE wagon springs (advertised)

I'm no expert and i hope this helps

R-

[SilverFleet]

Labcoat, you've been a great help so far. Thanks! I was planning on getting camber bolts for the front from Summit Racing this week ( I have to order some crap for one of my Trans Ams). They have them pretty cheap, around $12 for a pair IIRC.

The Wagon Pinks look good as well, and you're right, they are a little less aggressive than the RCE's. They might be a viable option if I can find a good deal on them and a set of tophats.

[Tahoe SC]

^ with lab here.

for DD you should just go with pinks or STI take offs.

d specs are good with them though. i still have my stock struts and they don't do very well with the STI take offs.

when these wear out i'll be going with D-specs. but until they do, i can bear it.

[labcoat]

Silver

Also if you are using the D-specs (02,03) with an 04+ top hats (for 04+ springs, pinks/RCE) then you will also need Scooby921 Strut Spacers they are only like $20.00

R-

[SilverFleet]

Originally Posted by labcoat

Silver

Also if you are using the D-specs (02,03) with an 04+ top hats (for 04+ springs, pinks/RCE) then you will also need Scooby921 Strut Spacers they are only like $20.00

R-

Yeah, I forgot about those. Thanks! I'm leaning toward the Pink springs right now. I'm gonna see if I can get some prices for this stuff tomorrow.

[BIGSKYWRX]

for daily driving/crappy roads- clearly the wagon pinks- modest drop; firm, but not overly firm spring rates

now if you start adding weekend activities to the list ie track days/autox events OR if more drop is wanted, then the RCE springs trump the pinks

[SilverFleet]

at "weekend activities"! I'd love to do autox or a track day someday, but this car is my sole dependable ride to work. My other cars (2 '79 Trans Ams) are in various states of disrepair and diassembly right now, but one of those cars is destined for "weekend activities" in the near future.

I'm thinking the Pinks are gonna be the ones I go with. I also realized that the exhaust on my wagon hangs kinda low, so slamming the car on the ground is probably not the best idea with the crappy roads around here.

Also, I have to thank you guys again for helping me choose this setup. Hopefully I can contribute more to this awesome thread once I get a better understanding of what I'm doing!

[DinoGuan]

Ahh yes I've gone from USDM STi Wagon "Pinks" To RCE Wagon's

I also added koni inserts when I switched over so the comparison is not 100%

But the ride on the RCE's is noticeably rougher. However the increase in response and reduced body-roll is also very noticeable over the Pinks.

The Pinks sit in a very good place between stock and RCE springs in terms of ride quality vs performance.

I am young and don't mind the rough ride on the RCE's most of the time but there are occasions on long trips or rough roads I do wish I had my pinks back on.

[BIGSKYWRX]

^ that should be a very helpful post for folks trying to decide between the two

suspension setup (like any other modification) is a series of compromises, giving up a little of this for more of that- as long as a person knows the direction he wants to head in, and does his homework, he should be able to get pretty close

[SilverFleet]

Well, I ordered up a set of D-Spec's and Scooby921 spacers. I'm still looking for some Pink wagon springs. I have a line on some tophats locally as well. I'm also getting some Paranoid Fabrications front fender braces locally. I can't wait to install all of this stuff in my car!

[D-Rodman]

Here is my suspension setup, koni sport inserts, usdm wagon pinks, cobb swaybars front & rear, whiteline endlinks front and rear, spt front strut bar. The rear swaybar is set in the mid position, front koni at 1 1/4 turns from soft and 1 turn from soft in the rear. My setup is for spirited daily driving fun, still comfortable but firmer than a non car enthusiast would tolerate. The spt strut bar was a surprise, everybody says that strut bars are just bling. I felt the diference between the ebay strut bar I previously had that made no diference, versus the spt, that does work, noticeable stiffnes in the front end as soon as I drove the car after the install. I'm satisfied with my setup, it's been worth the money and effort.

[mulva]

SiilverFleet:

I have a 2002 stg 2 wagon and am running d-specs grp n top hats and swift wagon springs and am liking it. I just fingered my wheel wells for drop and it's 3 fingers in front and 2 fingers in the rear. I drive on some pretty beat up roads every day and the softer spring rates of the swifts are very good at handling them. If I didn't have such crappy roads to navigate through daily, a stiffer spring would be more desirable because I autoX, but the swifts are quality springs and I'm enjoying the slightly higher than stock spring rates for every day driving. The drop is minimal on the 2002 wagon as advertised. I wish my 4 yr old didn't break my digital camera because I'd love to show my drop. The pic of the yellow wagon on the fastwrx.com site (if you click on the swift spring link) looks just like my wagon. If you search for swift wagon springs, there is a thread started in early August that has pics of a sedona red wagon that has a drop similar to mine. I'll put it this way: my setup is perfect for a daily driver. For competitive driving, the RCE's would be better, but for "spirited" daily driving, don't be adverse to go with the swifts. I am very happy with them, the group n top hats, the d-specs, and beefed up sway bars and endlinks. If I had a bunch of extra cash, I'd love to try the TiC coilovers though!!!

[SportyMark]

Since I am done for now, here is my setup
02 Wagon
04 front struts
05 rear struts
Stock springs
STI rear sway bar...
Aligned and on forrester wheels so slightly less offset.

[SilverFleet]

All my suspension stuff finally came in! Here's what I have:

-02-03 Tokico D-Specs
-04+ STI Pink wagon springs
-04 rear tophats
-2 Scooby 921 spacers
-a pair of camber bolts
-Paranoid Fabrications cowl stays

Am I missing anything to do the struts?

While I'm there, I'm doing Group N engine mounts and a Group N pitch stop. I can't wait to do this stuff.

[sleepyfu]

^^^ group n hats, rear strut bar.

[tazswing]

Got a few more thousand miles including a drive to Florance with 4 adults and stuff in the car. The only thing I am noticing is some rubber squeaking going over speed bumps which I am 99% sure are the rear swaybar mounting bracket bushings (this has occurred before). I am happy with this set-up. Next summer, PnP craziness and an 18G

Originally Posted by tazswing

Well, here it is for now. Just got the take-offs on this weekend.

04' STI take-offs (springs and struts)
N-Hats F/R.
Paranoid Fad 3/8" shims, rear
WL solid links F/R
WL solid rear sway (22/24/27mm adj)
Hotk. hollow front (non-adjust, I think it is 25.4 so 22mm equiv.)
Cusco rear strut tower brace
WL ALK ("sport")
WL steering rack bushings
GT-Spec 4-Point Ladder Bar
ST BBK 328, 4 pot front (stock rear save for the lines and track pads when needed)
Rota SDRs with 225/45R17 Falken AZENIS RT-615

alignment is -1.5 all around with zero toe

[SilverFleet]

Originally Posted by sleepyfu

^^^ group n hats, rear strut bar.

Why would I need Group N tophats? And I have a strut bar.

[BIGSKYWRX]

not "need" in the literal sense, just that the firmer tops would add to the performance gains is all

[SilverFleet]

I wanted to get them, but they were just out of my price range for the budget on this project. They are expensive! I don't need anything else though, do I?

[BIGSKYWRX]

your good to go- get a quality alignment when your done

[SilverFleet]

Originally Posted by BIGSKYWRX

your good to go- get a quality alignment when your done

Nice!

About that alignment...
What kind of specs should I ask for? Someone mentioned earlier that I should get max negative camber in the front and ask for zero toe all around. When I go to the alignment shop, is that all I have to ask for, or are there specific specs I should ask for? I apologize for being a complete noob.

[BIGSKYWRX]

read through this

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/suspen...nt-basics.html