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Old 03-17-2014, 09:51 PM   #5251
Psychoreo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chimchimm5 View Post

What Bikelok said in chart form:
:shudder:

S-techs
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Old 03-17-2014, 10:31 PM   #5252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychoreo View Post
:shudder: S-techs
You did see the criteria for that path right?
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Old 03-17-2014, 10:38 PM   #5253
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bikelok View Post
Perhaps. It depends in what you are looking to do. As I said before, this thread is focused on pre-2008 wagons. 2008 and up are considered hatches. Your best bet is to go up to the stickies and spend some time reading up though them. Then start searching other posts about your model year. This way you will get the most help. Most people on here probably are not familiar with your body type.
Thanks bro
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Old 03-18-2014, 09:51 AM   #5254
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Originally Posted by chimchimm5 View Post

You did see the criteria for that path right?
Yes. And I giggled. But still
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Old 03-18-2014, 01:52 PM   #5255
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Quick question. I drive an 04 WRX wagon, and I'm looking at installing RCE wagon springs and Koni Yellows. I DD the car mostly, but would like to start auto X and a track day here and there.

Can I just use GroupN top hats for the front and rear to acheive a -1.3 to -1.5 camber in the front and a -1.0 camber in the rear, or would I need to get the whiteline adjustable top hat?
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Old 03-18-2014, 08:08 PM   #5256
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Other option is white line com c front tophats and use your factory bolts.
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Old 03-18-2014, 09:37 PM   #5257
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Quote:
Originally Posted by streetspirit7 View Post
Quick question. I drive an 04 WRX wagon, and I'm looking at installing RCE wagon springs and Koni Yellows. I DD the car mostly, but would like to start auto X and a track day here and there.

Can I just use GroupN top hats for the front and rear to acheive a -1.3 to -1.5 camber in the front and a -1.0 camber in the rear, or would I need to get the whiteline adjustable top hat?
On my 06, I could get -1.5 in the front using the stock (or wagon specific KYB GR2) struts with my Group N tophats and just the OEM bolts. I would think the same would be achievable with the Koni inserts.

In the rear, there are no eccentric bolts. This limits the amount of rear camber you can dial in. It seems to vary by car a bit, but I think the stock range is about -1.5 to -1.8 degrees. To get less camber in the rear, you could use either a set of camber bolts, or slot the mounting holes. This will also allow you to get rid of cross camber.

So no, I wouldn't think you would HAVE to get the Whiteline top hats.
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Old 03-18-2014, 10:23 PM   #5258
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jasonb View Post

On my 06, I could get -1.5 in the front using the stock (or wagon specific KYB GR2) struts with my Group N tophats and just the OEM bolts. I would think the same would be achievable with the Koni inserts.

In the rear, there are no eccentric bolts. This limits the amount of rear camber you can dial in. It seems to vary by car a bit, but I think the stock range is about -1.5 to -1.8 degrees. To get less camber in the rear, you could use either a set of camber bolts, or slot the mounting holes. This will also allow you to get rid of cross camber.

So no, I wouldn't think you would HAVE to get the Whiteline top hats.
I think your front camber numbers are not the norm.
I've seen that most can get -1.0° to -1.3° with stock type components, which you have.
Occasionally I've seen some people get -1.5° to -1.8° with stock type components, but that is by far the exception.
You are the very lucky exception.
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Old 03-19-2014, 12:35 AM   #5259
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bikelok View Post
I think your front camber numbers are not the norm.
I've seen that most can get -1.0° to -1.3° with stock type components, which you have.
Occasionally I've seen some people get -1.5° to -1.8° with stock type components, but that is by far the exception.
You are the very lucky exception.
Well at least I have that going for me...

Either way, he said he was looking for -1.3, which should be doable with out the white line top hats.
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Old 03-24-2014, 10:38 AM   #5260
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Anybody here using the Tein Street Basis coil overs? I am very close to making that purchase and plan reusing my old strut mounts as the kit says it can do so. I was wondering if anybody had any camber problems in the rear with these when dropping about 1.5-2". Any suggestions are highly appreciated.
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Old 03-25-2014, 11:51 AM   #5261
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So I got lucky and found a set of tokico d-specs on ebay recently and weighing my options before I install them on my 04' wrx wagaon. My car is a spirited daily driver and I go on a lot of roadtrips with a loaded car usually. I chose the d-specs for the adjustability. Am I correct in thinking that I can maintain a higher riding height with a full load by running full stiff without damaging the struts? I do not want to lose any ride height so I am sticking with my stock springs I think (they have 130k on them) feel free to chime in a better solution for springs. I backpack, climb, bike, etc so I usually travel on sketchy dirt roads to get to where I want to be.

Next is figuring out front tophats since the d-specs are 02-03. Leaning towards group N or whiteline com c's. I do not track my car so -1.5+ camber is not a priority. Are whitelines one setting?

My car is currently 100% stock suspension. I will be getting sways and endlinks. Probably going to get the 20mm rear subaru one and undecided on the front...trying to find something used. Do not want to spend a lot more money on the suspension.
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Old 03-25-2014, 12:22 PM   #5262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinestarz067 View Post
So I got lucky and found a set of tokico d-specs on ebay recently and weighing my options before I install them on my 04' wrx wagaon. My car is a spirited daily driver and I go on a lot of roadtrips with a loaded car usually. I chose the d-specs for the adjustability. Am I correct in thinking that I can maintain a higher riding height with a full load by running full stiff without damaging the struts? I do not want to lose any ride height so I am sticking with my stock springs I think (they have 130k on them) feel free to chime in a better solution for springs. I backpack, climb, bike, etc so I usually travel on sketchy dirt roads to get to where I want to be.

Next is figuring out front tophats since the d-specs are 02-03. Leaning towards group N or whiteline com c's. I do not track my car so -1.5+ camber is not a priority. Are whitelines one setting?

My car is currently 100% stock suspension. I will be getting sways and endlinks. Probably going to get the 20mm rear subaru one and undecided on the front...trying to find something used. Do not want to spend a lot more money on the suspension.
You adjust the struts to the springs. If you "crank up" the struts with stock springs, you will be way over damped and that's bad.

If you are looking for a firmer ride and maintain a stock ride height look into King springs.

I think the Kings are 04-07 type springs, but they will work without a problem in 02-03 type struts. All you need to do to make them work is get 921
spacers. They are a special washer that fits between the rear strut and rear top hat. Go to Turn in Concepts for the spacers. You will also need to use 04-07 rear top hats as well.

Get the Com-C top hats. They will give you back the lost camber and have the Group-N firmness.

A poor man spring solution for stock ride height is STI take off springs with 1/2 spacers on the top hats to increase ride height. Not the best way to do it as you will loose suspension travel, but gain ground clearance. Having the full travel the Kings will give you are a major plus, but the STI springs are great and super cheap.
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Old 03-25-2014, 01:13 PM   #5263
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Thanks...I like the poor man solution. Almost think I jumped the gun on the d-specs and spent to much money on struts. Sways, endlinks, tophats, d-specs, and springs. Add up to a pretty penny of my valuable money.
My car is a 04 so could I get away with using my rear tophats? It was manufactured in 03 however.
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Old 03-25-2014, 02:54 PM   #5264
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Anyone have pics of a lowered outback sport?
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Old 03-25-2014, 05:31 PM   #5265
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinestarz067 View Post
Thanks...I like the poor man solution. Almost think I jumped the gun on the d-specs and spent to much money on struts. Sways, endlinks, tophats, d-specs, and springs. Add up to a pretty penny of my valuable money.
My car is a 04 so could I get away with using my rear tophats? It was manufactured in 03 however.
Your rear tops are fine.
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Old 03-26-2014, 02:33 PM   #5266
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King springs are a slap in pocket? any other solutions out there? I skimmed somewhere about GC springs since they have a higher spring rate.
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Old 04-04-2014, 01:46 PM   #5267
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bikelok View Post
Either the Koni or Tokico D-Specs will do great for you. Don't worry about adjustability, they are both up to the task, with plenty of adjustment.

Look up some DIY on Koni installs. It's really not that hard or complicated at all.

Now as far as Tokico goes, all Tokico products are discontinued. Hitachi has bought them out and they are for the most part out of business. So don't expect help with any warranties. There are still some new stock available, but they are getting harder to find. They are still a great strut, no mater what.

The Tokico are 02-03 fitment. So if you are using 04-07 springs, you would need the 921 spacers to go between the rear struts and rear 04-07 top hats.
I guess d-spec are out of the running. so to confirm my shopping list i am looking at:
Koni inserts
front only top hats as i can reuse rear either group-n or whiteline com-c if i want to play around with camber
RCE wagon springs

as a side note i recently installed front sway bar at 22mm, endlinks, and switched to my summer wheels/tires and getting shaking starting at about 70mph any ideas? from what i saw in the forums people are suggesting wheel bearing, tie rod, balancing am i missing anything? any ways of troubleshooting? thinking about rotating tires to see if it's balancing would that make sense?
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Old 04-05-2014, 06:32 AM   #5268
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Hey guys, I've got a 2003 wrx wagon that's mostly stock, but I'd like to change that.
I have a set of 18x8 +45 volk racing fzero trophy rims that I'm gonna run on the car.
I'll also be running a set of bc br coilovers, or something else around that price range. If you have a recommendation let me know. I'd like to get rid of a little bit of wheel gap but still be able to return to near stock height.
For this suspension set up, what size tire should I run? I'm planning on rolling all 4 fenders, but I won't pull them. What's the biggest I could fit without rubbing, 235? Or should I just get 225s?
Thanks
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Old 04-09-2014, 11:20 PM   #5269
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Hey all,

I have a 2006 wrx wagon with 225/45/17 tires.....just bought STI Pink springs and am planning on getting tokico d-spec struts. Will I need to purchase new camber bolts or anything else to get everything dialed in correctly?
I know these questions have probably been answered in the past but there is a lot of info out there and there are a few specifics to the 06-07 wagons.

thank you!
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Old 04-10-2014, 05:37 AM   #5270
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gurusan View Post
Hey all,

I have a 2006 wrx wagon with 225/45/17 tires.....just bought STI Pink springs and am planning on getting tokico d-spec struts. Will I need to purchase new camber bolts or anything else to get everything dialed in correctly?
I know these questions have probably been answered in the past but there is a lot of info out there and there are a few specifics to the 06-07 wagons.

thank you!
You will need a 921 spacer for the rears.Anything else Really depends on your goals.
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Old 04-10-2014, 11:20 AM   #5271
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So its time to go with a new suspension setup on my 06 wagon and I'm looking to you the "experts" for suggestions on which springs to keep and what struts to go with. Car is spirited daily driver. Also stocking up parts to go VF43 with in the year.

Currently installed
Front and rear sway bars and strut towers with Kartboy links.

Springs I have
JDM Pinks (wagon)
Epic 04-07 Wrx
Swift Sport (wagon)

I'm thinking either D-specs or KYB AGX or sell all and go with ST Coilovers but concerned with NVH and maintenance.

Thoughts?
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Old 04-10-2014, 11:34 AM   #5272
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Well the kyb will not list a part number for the wagon however I have seen people for them before another alternative would be the koni inserts
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Old 04-10-2014, 01:04 PM   #5273
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WRXMunkey View Post
So its time to go with a new suspension setup on my 06 wagon and I'm looking to you the "experts" for suggestions on which springs to keep and what struts to go with. Car is spirited daily driver. Also stocking up parts to go VF43 with in the year.

Currently installed
Front and rear sway bars and strut towers with Kartboy links.

Springs I have
JDM Pinks (wagon)
Epic 04-07 Wrx
Swift Sport (wagon)

I'm thinking either D-specs or KYB AGX or sell all and go with ST Coilovers but concerned with NVH and maintenance.

Thoughts?
The pink springs would be my first choice, then the Swift. The STI springs are more of a performance spring over the sports, while still being able to daily drive them.

The D-Specs are better than the AGX. They are both sedan fitment, but the camber issues can be corrected by a number of ways.
•Com-C tops (great)
•slotting the struts (great free mod)
•aftermarket camber bolts (inexpensive, but can be a major pain)
Koni inserts are great too and you retain your wagon strut housings. No camber issues with the Koni.

You will need 921 spacers (a special washer) to mate the D-Specs or AGX with your 04-07 rear top hats.

I'm not a fan of coil overs for a daily driver. They can almost never be as reliable and trouble free as a good strut/spring combo.

Last edited by Bikelok; 04-10-2014 at 01:33 PM.
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Old 04-13-2014, 01:11 PM   #5274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 09subi2.5i View Post
Anybody here using the Tein Street Basis coil overs? I am very close to making that purchase and plan reusing my old strut mounts as the kit says it can do so. I was wondering if anybody had any camber problems in the rear with these when dropping about 1.5-2". Any suggestions are highly appreciated.
I'm pretty interested in getting those for my '10 wagon but have yet to see much in regards to their pros and cons. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 04-13-2014, 09:48 PM   #5275
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Thanks for the information in this thread everyone! I've finally decided to go with the Koni Yellows for my STI wagon pink springs...and I purchased group-n front strut mounts, it looks like the rears have less of an influence on the suspension and don't warrant the price-tag.

However, I assume it's still a good idea to at least replace the rears with oem tophats or KYB since the chassis has nearly 103k on it? Just want to confirm that the 90 dollars for new rear tophats is worth it.
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