00-04 Legacy Lowering. My STI Linear Springs before & a

[ryankenn]

I finally bit the bullet and bought some springs from Japanparts.com. I wanted a very moderate drop ( less than 1" ), that wasn't afforded me by Intrax or H&R. After talking with Koji from japanparts, I settled on the STI Pink springs for the BE chassis, 2000 - 2004.

I'll be posting the before and after photos to let you know how it went. The springs were $480 CAD shipped to me, and installation looks to be running me $150 + taxes. Not great, but not bad either. The springs will be installed on Monday, Aug 8, 2006, so look back for updated lowered photos.

Here is the day they arrived. Its always good to recieve a package with Subaru markings directly from Japan.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7545/cimg2068bp2.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg2068bp2.jpg)http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/861/cimg2069uk3.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg2069uk3.jpg)
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3725/cimg2070jy2.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg2070jy2.jpg)

Keep in mind the genuine STI springs are linear rate, so the ride isn't the same as progressive.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/184/cimg2072df8.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg2072df8.jpg)

Heres the car pre drop.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/6074/cimg2076we6.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg2076we6.jpg)http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2374/cimg2077iz1.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg2077iz1.jpg)http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/9894/cimg2077ac8.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg2077ac8.jpg)http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8117/cimg2079st3.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg2079st3.jpg)

Front height.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5897/frontno1.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=frontno1.jpg)

Rear height.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2599/rearwe5.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rearwe5.jpg)

Check back for updates, and of course the thread will be bumped when the photos with the springs installed are put up.

Ryan

[badbasser98]

The springs will be installed on Monday, Aug 8, 2006, so look back for updated lowered photos.
I hope you mean Monday August 7th, 2006 :razz:

Can't wait to see 'em installed :grin:

[ryankenn]

You'll have to wait. The top hat on the front springs won't work with these. I'm in contact with Japanparts to see if they have one that will ( I'm assuming there is one out there somewhere ).

Very disappointing, as these are supposed to be drop in replacements for the BE/BH chassis. The rears fit fine, but the stock front spring has the same diameter top and bottom, the STI spring is tapered, so the top has a slightly smaller diameter and won't sit properly in the stock top hat.

If anyone knows where I can get these parts asap it would be greatly appreciated. The tech where I had them installed suggested I try Subaru directly, as perhaps an STI Impreza top hat would work, or they had something similar that would. Does anyone know the differences in the front suspension of the Impreza/WRX/Legacy of the 2000-2004 era?

Thanks, any help is welcome.

Ryan :(

[MitchGT]

The part you're referring to is probably the spring perch, not the top hat (strut mount). I had to use Impreza perches with my H&R springs on my BE to make them fit. I had the same problem as you with the top of the front springs being tapered. I'm willing to bet that's what you need to make them work.

The part number is 20323FA000. I got mine for like 10 bucks each from Jamie at subarugenuineparts.

[MitchGT]

Also, this thread may be of some help if you end up doing it yourself: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=886981

[ryankenn]

My new best friend, Mitch!

Oh, where the hell were you by the way when I was looking for springs! JK. I did a search on H&R's and never saw your thread. I wanted to go that route but every dealer, and H&R said they would not work. If only I had known, all it took was an Impreza spring perch.

The only reason I keep calling them Top Hats, is that the guys at the shop kept calling them that. I'm glad to see I have light at the end of my tunnel. Thanks very much.

Since I'm ordering the perches, would ordering the proper Imperza bushing/gasket be feasible instead of trimming the Legacy one to get it to fit? I'm deep into this already, so whats another $50-60 here and there. * EDIT * Is Subie Girl a member on this board, or should I contact her through NASOIC? Or through SubaruGenuine parts directly? I'd like to know what the P/N for the rubber perch thing is as well.

Ryan

[MitchGT]

Yeah, I don't spend much time here but I'm on Nasioc all the time. Send Jamie (Subie Gal) a PM on nasioc for the part number. If I could do it over again I would definately get the rubber piece as well, but only if it was cheap, otherwise trimming it worked fine for me. Let me know if you have any other questions...

Mitch

[ryankenn]

Perches are in already ( $15CAD each ) and I've got the "spring seat back" which is the rubber perch insert coming tomorrow. Those at also $15CAD each.

The P/N for anyone interested is 20325FA000 for the proper size rubber insert ( instead of trimming the stock one ).

Ryan

[ryankenn]

Its all done now. Thanks to some tips from MitchGT, I got some new 01 Impreza front spring perches for the top, and they fit like a glove. They are cheap too.

The drop is perfect, and photos and height adjustments will be on the way shortly. The ride is awesome, I was worried how a linear rate would be, but it seems more livable to me than most progressive springs I've had. And the car corners like nobody's business now. All in all, a great result. Stay tuned for results.

Now I just need to find a way to get the AGX struts to work!

I took some measurements and ended up after about an hour of driving at 24 15/16" in the front, and 24 7/8" in the rear.

With the original front at 26 3/16" and the rear at 25 13/16" I ended up with a drop of:

F: 1.25"
R: 0.9375"

Both a little more than I though, and it staggered which it wasn't supposed to be, but its fine with me, it fixed the gap difference a little, and still has a little clearance. Once it settles in the rear it will probably be more like 1".

Pics soon.

Ryan

[badbasser98]

Pics soon.
can't wait :grin:

[MitchGT]

Glad I could help! Can't wait to see the results..

[ryankenn]

Well here are the pictures. I have to say it looks perfect, if I could alter anything it would be to maybe add 3-5mm more backspacing to the rim to move it out a little further in the rear.

The ride is awesome, in a straight line, its about 90% as it was stock, only a slight sense of increased firmness. Turn the corner though, and nothing happens. The car stays level and just turns.

I'm very happy with the results of the springs. The exhaust you see is also new, bought off Ebay from JHOT imports. I may put up a post in the proper section, with more pics and a sound clip, but this thing is low, loud and very very boxer. Its louder than expected, but its also way lower tone, even under full throttle its all bass. Very interesting sound. Looks good!

You can see it translated here: ( I've got the BASIC model )

http://translate.google.com/translate?u ... uage_tools (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.calma.co.jp%2Fcorazon%2Flist%2Flegacy%2Fs304%2Ftop.html&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools)

Well here's the pics!

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/560/lowered1td4.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowered1td4.jpg)
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3871/lowered2iy8.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowered2iy8.jpg)
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/5831/lowered3jf6.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowered3jf6.jpg)

[Perdue]

Now THAT is sexy...a Baja Turbo Hood, some tint, and I'd call it a day. The drop looks awesome.

[MitchGT]

Wow, that looks awesome man! Looks a little lower than my setup. Now clear those corners out :cool:

[badbasser98]

hmm, looks like I know what springs I'm getting should the Leggy not be driving in snow any more...

Sorry for OT: What kind of muffler is that BTW?

[ryankenn]

I did provide a link to it above, and see my post at the end of this thread for some additional links ( I think the link above in this thread is still translated from Japanese though ).

Its a company called Corzan from Japan, and it has this weird little piece in the middle of the muffler that's supposed to swirl the air or something to enhance the boxer sound. I have to say it works.

http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=3223

[deadlydave]

very slick ride. awesome look about it.

[htioki]

sorry to resurrect an old thread... in the first post, is the stock clearance between tire and fender only about 1.5"? what size rims and tires are those?

[DANgerous]

Can someone explain to me why you need to change out the upper sping perches and the spring seats/rubber rings to Impreza ones when installing the H&R Springs (part # 29443) on a Legacy (BE) sedan?

The H&R springs are made for the Legacy Wagon according to their site. Not the Outback.

Both the spring perches and seats are the same on the Legacy Sedan and Legacy Wagon. So why would they not be a drop in affair on the Sedan? This makes no sense to me. H&R says nothing about changing out the perches and seats on their site. Do you also have to change out the perches and seats on the Legacy Wagon? :smt017

[Huffer]

It has to do with that H&R used a JDM Legacy - which apparently has narrower spring perches than the US model. They probably didn't bother to R&D on a USDM Legacy. I wouldn't worry about it, there's at least 3 BE owners who have used Impreza perches with success.