WTB: Springs for My 97 Leg GT - Just Bought Some KYB-GR-2's!

[BoardRider]

Before I go on-line and buy a new set I thought I would look in the good ol Legacy forum. Does anyone have some springs they want to sell? Preferably close to Seattle so shipping would be minimal.

I'm not an aoutocrosser. I just like to do a little spirited driving here and there, and I take a road trip here and there (so I don't want it to be too stiff). I heard that it's bad to drop my Legacy on GR-2's so I don't want anything too low. T or F? But I wouldn't mind a little drop for aesthetics! As long as it doesn't compromise my snow driving (to get me up the mountain to snowboard)!

Enough restictions? Let me know if you have anything to sell! Thanks!

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[GTWagon_Phreak]

Sounds exactly like the springs I would want when I get some KYB GR-2's also If anyone can also suggest make/model of springs like this that would be awesome!

Good luck with your WTB

[Perdue]

I'm dropped on H&Rs and GR2s and haven't noticed any ill effects, but then the springs are stiff as all hell. I've never heard of dropping a car on GR2s being bad, but they aren't as nice as the AGXs, which can be adjusted.

For your info:
Eibach Prokit: -1.2" front, -1.2" rear; H&R Sport: -1.5" front, -1.0" rear; Progress Technologies: -1.5 front, -1.5" rear. All numbers approximate. I'm pretty sure that the Progress springs are closest to the stock spring rate, giving a much smoother ride. Eibach is somewhat stiffer, and as I said above, H&Rs are stiff as all hell, which can make a long drive sort of rough on a guy. Someone correct me on this stuff if I'm wrong.

[snowone]

I would recommend (and am currently using) Whiteline CONTROL springs (flatout are LOW, if you want that). You'll find little if any noticeable drop when first installed w/ GR2's, but it firms things up great. Consider gettin the STi top mounts for this combo, you'll be happy. It will settle to approx .5-1" lowering. I believe these are still some of the cheapest springs for our application too...

http://pdm-racing.com/products/subaru_corner.html

*I live in the snow/mountains during the winter, and am very happy with this setup maintaining reasonable clearance-clarence w/ improved handling.

Hope that helps.

Sorry no snow pics w/ this setup yet....

[Bakergtt]

couldnt he go with sti springs with right equipment?

[GTWagon_Phreak]

What do STI Top Mounts do? I assume these are the top mounts for the struts?

[gtwagon941]

Yep, they are for the struts. They are made of stiffer rubber and therefore more precise then the factory ones, so I understand it. they will however make things a bit nosier and rougher. I decided not to get them as they are kinda pricy, but...

Jared

[subysouth]

Interestingly on the STi mounts, if you want to save some money just get the fronts as on the rear mounts only the struts bear on the rubber.

ss

[subysouth]

Originally Posted by snowone

I would recommend (and am currently using) Whiteline CONTROL springs (flatout are LOW, if you want that). You'll find little if any noticeable drop when first installed w/ GR2's, but it firms things up great. Consider gettin the STi top mounts for this combo, you'll be happy. It will settle to approx .5-1" lowering. I believe these are still some of the cheapest springs for our application too...

http://pdm-racing.com/products/subaru_corner.html

*I live in the snow/mountains during the winter, and am very happy with this setup maintaining reasonable clearance-clarence w/ improved handling.

Hope that helps.

Sorry no snow pics w/ this setup yet....

snow, are you getting any rubbing on the rear fender lips? Rolled? Removed fender liner? That looks close.

ss

[BoardRider]

Are many springs interchangeable with other Subaru models. I did some searching and couldn't find much about it. I know someone who's selling Whiteline Control springs for a 93-01 Impreza. Would those fit on my 97 GT sedan? I know the part numbers are different for the Impreza, but is that just marketing...?

[snowone]

South... the tires are 225's and are a bit wide... bought them used w the wheels from a wrx kid. Only major rub I've had is in the front on hard down hill corners, actually caught the fender lip and bent it out a bit. Haven't noticed rub in the rear, but then again I don't load the fat chicks up in the back seat very often.

215's won't rub at all. I think the perspective in that pic makes it look closer than it really is.

'rider: use leg spec part numbers, the impreza springs are not correct. not just marketing. STi top mounts aren't neccessary for the needs/wants you described.... they do creat a bit of noise, but nothing too dramatic.

*if you want to check out this setup, hit me via pm/email and we could hook up in seattle or eastside.

[BoardRider]

Thanks snowone! PM'd you.

I'll stick with the Legacy PN's. There's another guy sellign 02 WRX stock springs (3000mile) for cheap! But if they won't work, and it looks like no one else around here has any springs to sell, I'll buy some new ones. I think I am going to buy the Whiteline Controls. P/N's for these springs for a 6/1994 - 2/1999 BD sedan are 70198-Front & 70381-Rear, for those interested.

[BoardRider]

Boxer4Racing, GlobalPerformance, adn PDMRacing.com all have the springs on backorder! Whiteline is in Australia and it takes many weeks to get an order in... Does anyone know of any other distributors that may have these springs. Look like i may not be able to install my new suspension for several weeks!

[BoardRider]

OK, now I'm pretty confused. I just ordered the springs (Whiteline Control) from Boxer4Racing and at the end, he told me that if they happened to be out of stock by the time he completed the order, he would ship me the springs for the WRX... . . .He said that the 2002-2004 WRX springs are interchangeable with the 97 Legacy GT. That doesn't sound right.

Can anyone verify or dispute this?


If 2002 WRX springs will fit then I will buy some used '02 WRX stock springs (3000mile) that I saw for cheap!

[GTWagon_Phreak]

Yes, I'd like to know this also!

[gtwagon941]

Originally Posted by BoardRider

OK, now I'm pretty confused. I just ordered the springs (Whiteline Control) from Boxer4Racing and at the end, he told me that if they happened to be out of stock by the time he completed the order, he would ship me the springs for the WRX... . . .He said that the 2002-2004 WRX springs are interchangeable with the 97 Legacy GT. That doesn't sound right.

Can anyone verify or dispute this?


If 2002 WRX springs will fit then I will buy some used '02 WRX stock springs (3000mile) that I saw for cheap!

I'd call them back and tell them you ONLY want the Legacy springs. Your car is a different weight than the WRX, not to mention that I am pretty sure the spring perches are an issue as well.

Subysouth will no doubt clarify this issue. But I'm 98% sure that you don't want WRX springs with Legacy struts, or even at all.

Jared

[ballitch]

dude, theres eibach pro-kits on ebay all the time for under $200, like $230 shipped.

[GTWagon_Phreak]

Got a link? Thx

[subysouth]

Originally Posted by BoardRider

OK, now I'm pretty confused. I just ordered the springs (Whiteline Control) from Boxer4Racing and at the end, he told me that if they happened to be out of stock by the time he completed the order, he would ship me the springs for the WRX... . . .He said that the 2002-2004 WRX springs are interchangeable with the 97 Legacy GT. That doesn't sound right.

Can anyone verify or dispute this?


If 2002 WRX springs will fit then I will buy some used '02 WRX stock springs (3000mile) that I saw for cheap!

I can dispute that in several ways.

Firstly, WL control spring part numbers.

95-99 Legacy sedan
F - 70198
R - 70381

02-03 WRX sedan
F - 80066
R - 83158

Further there are NO PN interchanges between ANY Legacy and ANY Impreza in the WL spring catalog.

Secondly I can dispute that based on personal experience, of a related sort anyway. The Ver7 STi suspension I purchased had incompatible rear spring perches with my oem rear springs(didnt try the fronts) diameterwise. Since you can put STi spring on stock WRX struts, that would suggest Legacy springs are also incompatible with WRX rear springs diameterwise.


A lot of this misinformation I think stems from the fact that entire GD/GG suspension assemblies can be directly bolted into the BD/BG Legacys with varied results and the BD/BGs and 02-03 GD/GGs use the same f&r topmounts. You cant however interchange parts very easily because bottom spring diameter, spring perch height, etc can be different. I wasnt pleased at all with the height I netted from both a Ver7 and 8 sedan suspension on my wagon. Too much drop even though weights are similar. The Legacy springs use a ton more spring preload(are longer) to counteract the Legacys weight.


CN: If you are paying for new springs, you should be getting the exact springs designed for your car, not a relative.

ss

[BoardRider]

OK, I called Boxer4Racing on Friday but they were closed for some Subaru event. So I sent an email and told them I only wanted Legacy springs, NOT WRX P/N's (keep in mind that I already ordered the Whiteline Control springs).
This was their reply I received this morning:

The springs for the front we sent are the Legacy 93-1999 the only WRX springs were the 'Rear' which we have confirmed fit the Legacy 95-99 and the weight in the rear is the same since both are close to the same curb weight in the rear. The Group N top hat for the 'Rear' of the 95-1999 Legacy comes from the 2002-2003 WRX which again we know fits with no issue since we have done it here in the shop.

We raced a 98 Legacy GT sedan for close to two years that is why we know for a fact these parts are interchangeable. The 95-1999 Legacy is closer to a 2002-2003 WRX than any Impreza model from 93-2001.

Front #70198 (Legacy 94-1999)

Rear #83158 (WRX 2002-2003)

What do you think? Should I protest...? Or should I just use them, since it takes about 6-10 weeks to order new ones from Whiteline (Australia), and no one in the U.S. seems to have them? It seems like they know what they are talking about, but it's different from what I have heard/read in here...

[subysouth]

Originally Posted by BoardRider

OK, I called Boxer4Racing on Friday but they were closed for some Subaru event. So I sent an email and told them I only wanted Legacy springs, NOT WRX P/N's (keep in mind that I already ordered the Whiteline Control springs).
This was their reply I received this morning:

The springs for the front we sent are the Legacy 93-1999 the only WRX springs were the 'Rear' which we have confirmed fit the Legacy 95-99 and the weight in the rear is the same since both are close to the same curb weight in the rear. The Group N top hat for the 'Rear' of the 95-1999 Legacy comes from the 2002-2003 WRX which again we know fits with no issue since we have done it here in the shop.

We raced a 98 Legacy GT sedan for close to two years that is why we know for a fact these parts are interchangeable. The 95-1999 Legacy is closer to a 2002-2003 WRX than any Impreza model from 93-2001.

Front #70198 (Legacy 94-1999)

Rear #83158 (WRX 2002-2003)

What do you think? Should I protest...? Or should I just use them, since it takes about 6-10 weeks to order new ones from Whiteline (Australia), and no one in the U.S. seems to have them? It seems like they know what they are talking about, but it's different from what I have heard/read in here...

The topmounts are interchangeable correct. Its the rear spring lower diameter that is off. Now in this case the rear spring diameter will be smaller than you need so it might work(the reverse definitely doesnt work.) The weight issue is also an issue of spring preload as well as outright weight of the vehicles. The only way that works is if there is identical rear spring perch heights and spring pre-load, which anecdotal evidence(of people swapping WRX complete units to BD/BGs) would suggest this is incorrect. My experince has been the GD/GG STi rear springs perches are off about 3/4" from the Legacys and the spring pre-load is WAY off.

Again, I would want the springs that are intended for my car. But if they are willing to pay for shipping both ways and take them back if they dont work correctly, no harm in trying.

ss

[spdracr00]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EIBAC...spagenameZWDVW

there ya go... cheap and good springs..

[spdracr00]

I wish now that i hadnt gone with my WRX suspension swap and stuck with legacy stuff, but i couldnt find much info and i wanted it done on the cheap. of course now i'm shelling out $250 for a set of GR-2's and another $250 for LEgacy Springs. so my $200 lowering kit is gonna cost me $500 to get it right.

[xcntrk75]

Originally Posted by subysouth

The topmounts are interchangeable correct. Its the rear spring lower diameter that is off. Now in this case the rear spring diameter will be smaller than you need so it might work(the reverse definitely doesnt work.) The weight issue is also an issue of spring preload as well as outright weight of the vehicles. The only way that works is if there is identical rear spring perch heights and spring pre-load, which anecdotal evidence(of people swapping WRX complete units to BD/BGs) would suggest this is incorrect. My experince has been the GD/GG STi rear springs perches are off about 3/4" from the Legacys and the spring pre-load is WAY off.

Again, I would want the springs that are intended for my car. But if they are willing to pay for shipping both ways and take them back if they dont work correctly, no harm in trying.

ss

They'll fit... I run a WRX spring on the rear of my Legacy. I would be concerned with the weight/pre-load as SS pointed out. Their differen't part numbers for a reason...

Good choice on the WL control springs... I love mine... should have gone with better struts though...

[BoardRider]

Here are the spring rates for the control springs I just got from Whiteline:

.................................P/N..........Spring Rate
94-99 Legacy Front......70198.........175lbs/in
94-99 Legacy Rear.......70381.........105 > 180lbs/in
00-02 WRX Rear...........83158.........106 > 177lbs/in

">" means a spring rate range in a progressive spring design.
A single number denotes a linear spring design.