Lowering an Outback Sedan

[geckoboy86]

Hello, I have an odd request to see if a certain suspension can be done. I want to make my Outback handle better while keeping it an outback. I currently want to lower it by about 1" to 1.5" to get rid of wheel gap but I still want to keep with my 225/55R17 tires to keep it an Outback.

In my research I have seen that a lot of BP Wagon owners swap springs to GT springs while maintaining Outback Struts to achieve this. I figure its gonna be the same process on the sedan but does the 3.0R engine create any issues with this due to the weight?

[Wiscon_Mark]

Honestly, it might be a little heavier, but the EZ series motors are roughly the same overall size as the EJ motors (since they're designed for the same engine bay) so they shouldn't be substantially heavier. I don't know if there's a chart anywhere comparing weights, but it probably isn't much when you add it all up vs. the GT's front end.

If you're really concerned, maybe consider moving the battery to the rear of the car? It's a good mod for weight distribution anyways, if you can get a battery to fit snugly somewhere.

You could also look for 3.0R Legacy springs for the front. I don't know how much different the Legacy vs. Legacy GT springs really were. According to opposed forces, the part #s are different between the sedan GT and the sedan 3.0R, but that doesn't really tell me much about length or spring rate.

[98legwag]

Granted I am looking at 09 Legacy specs but according to cars101.com the 3.0R is only 10 lbs heavier than a Spec B and 50 lbs heavier than an automatic GT. Its about 125 lbs heavier than a manual GT. I don't know how much of a difference that would make.

Also from what I have read on opposed forces the 3.0R Limited uses the same struts and springs as the Spec B. Keep in mind the 08-09 3.0R Limited had the Spec B bits while the 09 3.0R did not.

[geckoboy86]

So Stew, When you gonna upgrade your suspension? I kinda want some springs...lol...

Looks like 3.0R and GT are the same (20330AG12A). And 3.0R Limited and spec b are the same (20330AG14A). It's gonna take me forever to find a set of springs only.

Same upper spring seat between those 2 (20323AG00B) might be different from mine (September of 06 was the switch from 20323AG00A to 20323AG00B). Would this cause an issue?

I have the same top hat as the 3.0R but the Limited yet again has a different. Any foreseeable issues?

[98legwag]

Yeah, the 3.0R Limited shares the Bilstein style top hat with the Spec B. The Bilstein style top hat is slightly taller too. After work today I will see if I can find pics of them on legacygt.com.

[98legwag]

Crap. I was wrong. The pictures I was thinking of was JDM vs USDM top hats.

[dodik]

for a mild drop like you want I'd start experimenting with either legacy struts/outback springs or the other way which is more likely to work outback struts with legacy springs.
if you dont remove subframe spacers you have lots of room to run stock sized tires.

in my jorneys with 02 H6 sedan, i found that running legacy struts with outback sized tires works there will be very little room between inside of the tire and lower spring perch but i think your generation has slightly redesigned lower spring perch so it may/may not work. you definitely cannot go to higher offset than the +48 you have now, actually +42 to +46 would be better

Now if you keep outback struts but find shorter spring you have more worries about tire touching the body of the car/fender/wheel well there i can't help much as my generation and yours maybe a bit off and i cant be 100% sure. So say for example you get legacy springs and the tire touches something just a bit at full lock like the fender, get a strut spacer made this is cheap and it works since you can set the thickness yourself.

After the drop you may need to trim rear bumpstops or get legacy ones, all in all you will have to experiment i'd suggest get stock take offs from a GT and try. This will get you started

[geckoboy86]

Thanks for the idea and experience. Glad I'm off my old factory rims as they were +55.
I would have never thought to go the other way with this. I also want those lowering to help handling as the OB struts with OB springs is a little soft. I will end up doing sway bars after this lowering.

Which would be firmer? OB Struts with LGT springs or LGT struts with OB Springs.

I found out from another member who has an 2007 H6 Sedan that he could run stock tires with no rubbing on LGT stuff the whole way around.

[dodik]

Which would be firmer? OB Struts with LGT springs or LGT struts with OB Springs.


that's not easy to answer, ob struts should be firmer to compensate for the stiffer Ob springs, so putting softer stuff either way is pretty equal.

I personally would go for the lgt springs. oh and there is this idea on subaruoutback.org that BE/BH rear struts are stiffer than BL/BP that should help a bit with understeering.

[Caboobaroo]

I have a set of low mileage Spec B Bilsteins with Tein S-Tech springs. I bought them planning on putting them on my '04 but the top hat mount for the front is too big and I'd rather get the proper ones for my BE. If you're interested let me know.

[geckoboy86]

I would but shipping would be a pain and be very pricey.