2004 STI struts and Springs on a BD, thoughts?

[Regardie]

So I have an opportunity to pick up a set of 2004 STI struts and springs used for about $300. My 97 BD is still on stock struts and springs with 165000 miles.

Should I go for it?

[Garrison]

That's a bit high of price for 04's, and you'll have to re-use your rear tophats because the impreza rear struts are different than the legacy.
It'll drop you ~ 1 1/2" or so, and will drastically raise your spring rates (which will cause better handling, at the expense of harsher ride).

Also, FWIW, the 04 sti struts had a nagging "clunk" problem that occurs in higher mileage- definitely something to consider. Like I said, the price seems a bit high, but an option is to pick them up and have them revalved, which would give you something like coil-overs for less than the price of new coilovers.

[Matty2Hotty]

04 are rebuild able though like I tore mine apart before I even installed them regreased them and installed zerk fittings. Never had a clunk problem due to zerk fittings to re grease. Ride is a little more harsh as some say. Maybe a soft spring set will change it up.... No idea.

[Navi271]

That's a bit high of price for 04's, and you'll have to re-use your rear tophats because the impreza rear struts are different than the legacy.
No, wait! Sorry I have to correct you. The struts are different and will give you a camber issue, but the 04-07 sti/wrx springs are tapered at the top and will only fit the impreza top hats. They are much different than the legacy rear top hat. These top hats have the exact same bolt pattern as our 2nd gen legacy top hats front and rear. The 04 springs and struts combo will bolt up to your car with no problem.
There are some pictures in this topic, look for the blue BD:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=21576&start=0

And Fwa2500 has his wagon with basically the same setup:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8831

Those are pretty high mileage tho, I'd get the price lowered or I wouldn't take them.

[Regardie]

No, that mileage is on my original 97 BD struts and springs. I don't have the mileage on the STi parts. Guess I should check. They are complete with tophats and he says no clunks.

So should I be looking for rear camber bolts as well?

[Baddog]

I am running 04 STi struts and springs (well now 05-07 Tannabe GF210's). I used the top hats that came with the struts.

However...Here is the kicker. I was having my fenders rolled at a shop that usually does hondas. The struts and springs were sitting on a shelf. I knew what they were right away and asked him how much. He told me $100. Haha. So I feel like I stole them.

Night and day difference (I came from 04 WRX struts and springs)

[Wiscon_Mark]

That WAS a steal. Very nice!

[Garrison]

you'll have to re-use your rear tophats because the impreza rear struts are different than the legacy.
No, wait! Sorry I have to correct you.

No worries mate, just reiterating what I've heard around.
Very glad that there are people here who know their shit, that's what makes this place great! :smt023

[Navi271]

Very true Garrison! Love this site for that reason.

Since I never actually had STi struts, I only had STi springs on legacy struts, I can't confirm that you'll NEED camber bolts in the rear. I would use the OEM ones and get your car aligned. That should tell you if you need them or not. You could experiment with different alignment setups as well, but I've never done that either. You can also PM fwa2500 about it. He's pretty cool, and he could probably help you out more than I can.

[Regardie]

I know I will need an alignment when I'm done. AZP Installs just got their alignment rack up and running and I'm not that far from them so I'm probably headed their way. I like to use Subaru fanatics when I can.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums (http://developer.palm.com/appredirect/?packageid=com.newnessdevelopments.forums)

[grayguy]

My only gripe with the sti stuff on my car is the uneven drop. I even have saggy but spacers in the back and it still sits nose high. I am contemplating cutting the front springs a little (ghetto I know) and seeing if I can level them out. The setup was free and I have another set of stock STI springs if it all goes wrong haha

[Wiscon_Mark]

My only gripe with the sti stuff on my car is the uneven drop. I even have saggy but spacers in the back and it still sits nose high. I am contemplating cutting the front springs a little (ghetto I know) and seeing if I can level them out. The setup was free and I have another set of stock STI springs if it all goes wrong haha

It's probably not that the rear is saggy, but the front of the STi suspension has to hold up the very heavy engine & transmission setup in the STi, so it's a lot stiffer/taller. Maybe try some different springs with the STi struts?

[Baddog]

With my springs the car is evenly laid out.

[Lsnaple]

Hey that's my blue BD! I don't really have camber problems, and you use the sti top hats. Mine is pretty even, no saggy butt spacers and I agree with mark about the extra weight up front from the Turbo junk and transmission.