FAQ Legacy vs WRX Suspension swap questions

[MyogiNightKid]

My BK has a crossmember in it from a '04 STi now to clear my swap's up-pipe, I was wondering if the stock '04 STi sway bar will work on the BK control arms.

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[98JDMLegacyLimited]

dont want to highjack this thread but my question is about suspension swaps so here is my question: is there any difference in the length between the lateral link on a 04 sti, 05 sti or any 02-07 wrx?

I would really like to swap an 05 sti rear suspension (not the struts) on to my 98 legacy limited (BD), I understand I will need the lateral links, swaybar and endlinks because the 05 doesnt use C shaped endlinks? other than maybe a little mallet work to the spare tire area anyone know if this will work on my car without screwing up the alignment beyond being adjustable. Also can I use any of the front swaybars from these years on my BD?

[TubeDriver]

Need some help in selecting replacement struts for a 91 Legacy 2WD wagon. It looks like KYB GR-2 might be my only choice at this point?

Are there any springs I can drop in that do not need different tophats? Thanks.

[99legacyL]

Hi there,
I see this thread has been quiet for a while & I've read thru the entire thread and still am wanting to clarify the info I found:

VEHICLE:
I have a BD- 99 Legacy L (Anniversary Ed.) Sdn, 2.2l 5mt, stock condition with sp/su/fa '02 WRX wheels & 205/55R16 RE92's & winter General Altimax 195/60R15's. Car has 229K orig. 1-owner miles.- DAILY DRIVER- no track time

PROBLEM:- It needs struts, and is suffering from a bit of 'saggy butt' now with stock spec. suspension. Stock springs/ stock struts
BUDGET requires me to go the safe but inexpensive route, as it's up for an $800 timing belt/seals/waterpump replacement job next week and new tires within a few months. Also need new tires on my 05 Highlander before winter.

SUSPENSION option:
I have found locally a 25K mile set of '02 WRX Struts & top Hats w/ Whiteline lowering springs. - (I'm trying to get more info from the seller....)

MY UNDERSTANDING:
IF THESE ARE from a Sedan, they should be a bolt-in, correct? I don't want to drop the car, but level would be nice. Will this work if I swap the Legacy/BD stock springs and spring perches onto the WRX struts? What alignment concerns will I have with reusing all the stock Legacy bolts, or will I need to get Cammed bolts? Should the car sit level/ close to level or would/could I need to drop the front using the Whiteline springs with the stock springs in the rear? (Anyone know the drop on the Whitelines?)

Love the way the car has always ridden/handled (with good struts) and not looking for track time suspension or anything ridiculous, just a safe replacement suspension that works in my budget and might level the car out as well. A little tighter handling without much harsher ride on these horrible Poconos roads, though would be a plus.

This thread can be a bit confusing, so Thanks for any help!
Mike

[spdracr00]

Originally Posted by 99legacyL

Hi there,
I see this thread has been quiet for a while & I've read thru the entire thread and still am wanting to clarify the info I found:

VEHICLE:
I have a BD- 99 Legacy L (Anniversary Ed.) Sdn, 2.2l 5mt, stock condition with sp/su/fa '02 WRX wheels & 205/55R16 RE92's & winter General Altimax 195/60R15's. Car has 229K orig. 1-owner miles.- DAILY DRIVER- no track time

PROBLEM:- It needs struts, and is suffering from a bit of 'saggy butt' now with stock spec. suspension. Stock springs/ stock struts
BUDGET requires me to go the safe but inexpensive route, as it's up for an $800 timing belt/seals/waterpump replacement job next week and new tires within a few months. Also need new tires on my 05 Highlander before winter.

SUSPENSION option:
I have found locally a 25K mile set of '02 WRX Struts & top Hats w/ Whiteline lowering springs. - (I'm trying to get more info from the seller....)

MY UNDERSTANDING:
IF THESE ARE from a Sedan, they should be a bolt-in, correct? I don't want to drop the car, but level would be nice. Will this work if I swap the Legacy/BD stock springs and spring perches onto the WRX struts? What alignment concerns will I have with reusing all the stock Legacy bolts, or will I need to get Cammed bolts? Should the car sit level/ close to level or would/could I need to drop the front using the Whiteline springs with the stock springs in the rear? (Anyone know the drop on the Whitelines?)

Love the way the car has always ridden/handled (with good struts) and not looking for track time suspension or anything ridiculous, just a safe replacement suspension that works in my budget and might level the car out as well. A little tighter handling without much harsher ride on these horrible Poconos roads, though would be a plus.

This thread can be a bit confusing, so Thanks for any help!
Mike

you'll be just fine using your stock legacy bolts and strut mounts. camber bolts in the rear never hurt, but unless you got a set laying around i wouldn't worry about it. you'll be able to get it to spec.

on a side note. $800 for all that work on your engine is way spendy. and with 229k to boot. you can pick up a nice low mileage 2.2 for $500 if you ask around. the 2.2l N/A engine is found in almost every single suburu made.

-ben

[spdracr00]

Originally Posted by TubeDriver

Need some help in selecting replacement struts for a 91 Legacy 2WD wagon. It looks like KYB GR-2 might be my only choice at this point?

Are there any springs I can drop in that do not need different tophats? Thanks.

you should head over to legacy central for this question. there is way more info on those 2wd models over there. but i'm pretty sure KYB is your only choice.

[99legacyL]

Originally Posted by spdracr00

you'll be just fine using your stock legacy bolts and strut mounts. camber bolts in the rear never hurt, but unless you got a set laying around i wouldn't worry about it. you'll be able to get it to spec.

on a side note. $800 for all that work on your engine is way spendy. and with 229k to boot. you can pick up a nice low mileage 2.2 for $500 if you ask around. the 2.2l N/A engine is found in almost every single suburu made.

-ben

Thanks Ben,
Glad to have your input & opinion.

Yes, I know $635-800 (high-end estimate) is spendy, but I know the quality of work from these guys, I know my motor has been treated as it has & has had Mobil1 since 7500 miles, and I don't have the time or garagespace to get into a swap right now. I'm overdue for the timing belt, and was going to have them do the rest while they're in there even though it doesn't HAVE to have them done now. ( Could have gotten by with the low to mid 400 range)

Car has been a phenomenal vehicle for us, and besides the second timing belt & clutch, has only gone thru tires, struts, calipers & rotors in all these years! It gets 34 MPG Hwy still (Jan '10 w/ winter tires) and don't really want to mess with more than I have to even if it's more expensive. Had a Forester 2.5 w/ headgasket issues (repeated issues- kinda feel that if it ain't broke I shouldn't mess with too much right now) and need to rely on this Legacy. BTW-Thought Subaru dropped the 2.2l engine w/ the 2001/2 MY Imprezas?

(I already have a rescued Buick GN that's not currently running in the garage as the world's largest paperweight & no bankroll to change it anytime soon!) I'd like to eventually make the Legacy into a Legacy RS 2.35, but not anytime in the near future. Just hoping to keep it going for another 100-150K or so.

Thanks,
Mike

[njdriver04]

$800 for a water pump, belt and seal is a bit excessive. My BE/BH 2.5 just had this done, the belt cost the shop $47 not sure what the pump cost. That being said this is my friend's shop and he knows his way around subbies so I guess the labor cost was cut down a bit.

sorry to get away from the topic at hand.

[Benfolio]

Just found this thread and wanted to add my .02

I direct swapped my '97 BD 2.5GT sedan AND my '98 BK L wagon with the same set of 2005 WRX struts with only ONE issue. The rear needed "crash" camber bolts to be brought into spec on the alignment machine.

Other than that they were a direct fit, even the tophats. Plus they give you more room for larger tires.

It raised the front of the sedan a tad, and lowered the rear. Not sure about the wagon, because when I swapped them (again) I threw in Hotchkis lowring springs for a 2005 WRX. Now it's very nicely lowered, and has a sexy rake to it.

[xtian]

what do i need to do to make rear gc8 suspension fit my 96 legacy wagon? fronts are in!

[spdracr00]

wrx front springs are stiffer to take into account the heavier weight of the turbo engine.

where the 05 struts wagon or sedan? they have different cambers.

Originally Posted by Benfolio

Just found this thread and wanted to add my .02

I direct swapped my '97 BD 2.5GT sedan AND my '98 BK L wagon with the same set of 2005 WRX struts with only ONE issue. The rear needed "crash" camber bolts to be brought into spec on the alignment machine.

Other than that they were a direct fit, even the tophats. Plus they give you more room for larger tires.

It raised the front of the sedan a tad, and lowered the rear. Not sure about the wagon, because when I swapped them (again) I threw in Hotchkis lowring springs for a 2005 WRX. Now it's very nicely lowered, and has a sexy rake to it.

[spdracr00]

Originally Posted by xtian

what do i need to do to make rear gc8 suspension fit my 96 legacy wagon? fronts are in!

just measure the distance on your rear top hats, it will either use the gc8 or the legacy ones. you have both so it's not a big deal. pretty sure you're going to have to reuse your legacy tophats like i told you in your pms. the impreza rear strut tops are smaller.

[Burnman]

Originally Posted by JoKerNZ

semi-relevant so I will post it:



Pretty sure they are JDM specs but should roll-over to USDM (no guarantees)

In the above chart, it shows that the stock spring rates for a BD Legacy are: Front: 132 lbs/in
Rear: 132 lbs/in

The 02/03 WRX rates are:
Front: 163 lbs/in
Rear: 119 lbs/in (manual) or 132 lbs/in (automatic)

My question is what does this do to the handling? Going from 132/132 to 163/119 sounds like some major understeer is going to happen.

[outbacksrt8]

Originally Posted by Benfolio

Just found this thread and wanted to add my .02

I direct swapped my '97 BD 2.5GT sedan AND my '98 BK L wagon with the same set of 2005 WRX struts with only ONE issue. The rear needed "crash" camber bolts to be brought into spec on the alignment machine.

Where can I you get those camber bolts at? I'm swapping an 03wrx wagon suspension into my 97 legacy/outback wagon and i'm sure i'll need those aswell.

[sketron13]

eBay has them, I've been running a cheap set off eBay for a few years now. Running 03 wrx sedan struts and springs all around on a 98 legacy wagon. Like he said, you just need camber bolts for the rear.

[outbacksrt8]

Ant other place/vendor that has them? I dont like ebay knockoffs lol

[stevegr8]

I did try Autopartsway.ca many times now and I must say shipping is way too quick and prices are so cheap. Highly recommended.

[Jasin_S]

sooooooo.... skipping alot of reading, what would happen if I put stock wrx struts/springs in the rear and stock wrx struts and h&r lowering spings in front of a 99 legacy outback wagon? would it be way to low? or would I be ok?



rite now I have wrx complete struts/springs out of my 02 wrx, all on lowering springs..... I was just wondering if I could use these on my lob?

I still have the stock springs for the front and rear, I just thought that using stock springs out back and the lowering springs up front it would even out the ride?


Fuuuu why am i so confused

[Zach from NY]

Hey guys, brand new here, first time Subaru owner, lots of good info on this site...I've been reading for hours.

I'm used to Nissan/Toyota/Mazdas and build drift cars and daily beaters that get drifted off/on, so I am used to buying coilovers, bolting them in and that's it.

My car = 96 Outback Legacy wagon...which I have recently discovered is the BG body.

So I'm looking online and ebay and such and there are all kinds of coilover setups some of which are listed for the BG chassis and others that just say they fit Legacies.

Here are two examples
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-9...item2eb2477c86

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BC-Ra...#ht_3338wt_941

Can I just use those on my wagon? I checked Horsepowerfreaks and there were a few coilover sets that said they fit BG's also. Sorry for the ignorance, I have no background on these cars and I'm trying to pick up on them quickly.
Thanks in advance.

[spdracr00]

the cool thing about coilovers is you can use pretty much anyone you want subaru wise. you just have to use the correct rear tophats that match up with your legacy. just make sure you get some correct spring rates and valving.

If i had to do it all over again the AGX/Ground Control Coilover sleeves is a great combo for about $800

[Zach from NY]

Ok, sounds good. The car has new springs and shocks, so I'm just going to keep it how it is for the remainder of the winter. Might toss in some Megans or something in the spring. I have them on my Mazda and they take a pretty decent beating. If I can find some Stances for the right price, I'll grab those in a second.

[spdracr00]

love the megan stuff. we won 3rd overall at oregon trail in our black 08 STi hatch on a set I modified from a 2000-2004 legacy outback.

[njdriver04]

on my BH wagon i had rallitek sways, IMO great cost effective suspension upgrade before coilovers

[outbacksrt8]

I installed 03 WRX wagon struts/springs in my 97 legacy/outback (BG i think) and it lowered it about and 1 1/4-1 1/2 all around. Looks and handles a bit better, but now i want to go a bit lower like another 1-1 1/2 and stiffin it up a bit. From what iv been reading if you swap out the wrx springs and put the sti pinks(from 02-04 is what iv read works) in it will lower it (on a wrx)1.6 front and .6 in the rear. Is this correct and does anybody have any better suggestions or ideas to get where i want it to be. I got camber bolts to fix that issue aswell. thx alot

[subiboi624]

ok so before I start tearing thins apart. will my bc racing br series coilovers from my 02 wrx sedan fit on my 97 legacy wagon?? I can adjust the height and stiffness, so I just want to know if they will bolt on???