BL Suspension Upgrade + Lowering

[ElbryanWolf]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking into buying Bilstein suspension front and back for my subbie as well as H&R springs. I won't be doing this in the next few weeks but over the next year as the money is available.

Since the H&R sport springs will lower the subbie by about 1.25" all around, a friend of mine told me I should look into mounting these guys into a new front strut set up since I could do a quick swap from summer set-up with the new springs and struts and winter with the old ones that would bring the car back to a better elevation for our Canadian winters. I liked the idea.

That being said, I know the MacPherson needs to be loaded and I've been looking around for what parts I would need to create another top mount for the front struts that wouldn't require me to have them loaded up every summer. I haven't been succesfull and was wondering if you guys and gals had any input for me that could help me out on my search or in my understanding of how it all works. I'm still just an enthusiast so I'm still reading up and learing all this even if I've had the car for 5 years loll

Let me know what you think

-Wolf-

[Huffer]

Why not pick up a used set of Spec B struts and springs?

[Navi271]

You can go to a subaru dealer. They should have all the parts you would need. All I can think you need is, top strut mount, upper spring perch, the spacer that goes in between those, and a locking nut that brings it all together with the springs and struts.

I like huffers idea tho, try to get a set of bilstein struts, and springs, all put together so you have another full set. Then you can take them apart and swap in H&Rs if you still want to.

Just thinking, it might become a hassle to swap out springs and struts every year, just because of the time it takes...

[ElbryanWolf]

Why not pick up a used set of Spec B struts and springs?

Ok so if I followed this one, I looked it up on the net and found this:
http://www.pimpmyauto.com/Legacys/Docs/Bilstein_Struts.pdf

Basically, buy the Bilstein front struts and back shocks which seem to be the same as the Spec B struts and shocks (used or new), buy the JDM top mounts with the designated parts #s and add H&R springs to them or pink STi springs to lower the car. Does this make sense?

Also... might be a stupid question but in the instructions, they talk about a spring loading tool... do I need to get this done by a suspension specialist or there's a DIY way of doing this without killing myself with a spring that would shoot out of the strut?

Thanks guys

-Wolf-

[httrdd]

Why not pick up a used set of Spec B struts and springs?

Ok so if I followed this one, I looked it up on the net and found this:
http://www.pimpmyauto.com/Legacys/Docs/Bilstein_Struts.pdf

Basically, buy the Bilstein front struts and back shocks which seem to be the same as the Spec B struts and shocks (used or new), buy the JDM top mounts with the designated parts #s and add H&R springs to them or pink STi springs to lower the car. Does this make sense?

Also... might be a stupid question but in the instructions, they talk about a spring loading tool... do I need to get this done by a suspension specialist or there's a DIY way of doing this without killing myself with a spring that would shoot out of the strut?

Thanks guys

-Wolf-

I believe that they rent spring compression tools at Autozone or Advance auto.

[Huffer]

http://www.5mileimports.com/BL_wangan_S15.htm
or
http://www.5mileimports.com/BL_Bilstein_S15.htm

[ElbryanWolf]

http://www.5mileimports.com/BL_wangan_S15.htm
or
http://www.5mileimports.com/BL_Bilstein_S15.htm

Second set is a lot nicer! :razz:

So they could come completed without having to change anything if I can purchase the complete set-up. Nice!

Thanks Huffer. I'll check if the supplier I was eyeing can offer the fully assembled kit. If not, any suggestions, besides e-bay and nasioc, where I could start looking for the full assembly? I'd like to get a canadian supplier this time since the SPT parts I purchased cost me a nice buck in taxes and import cost today.

-Wolf-