lowering a 2001 Legacy wagon

[ndto]

hey guys,

so im ready to lower the wagon but im not sure which route to go,

ive got a couple options:

1) JDM bilstiens(used) with some kind of aftermarket lowering spring
- im still looking for a set i think ive got a lead but no response yet

2) KYB GR2 with H&R lowering springs
- im leaning towards this because its the setup i had with my old car but ive heard that the springs wont work with the stock tophats, somethign about having to use wrx parts to make them fit with the springs, which means extra cost and trouble

3) Whiteline flat out springs with some kind of strut (not sure)
- I really like the drop on this spring but im not sure if they will have to use some wrx parts as well

It would be great if anyone could offer some input or advice, thanks

[rougeben83]

What will you use the car for? What kind of drop do you want? What kind of roads do you drive on?

Whiteline drops a little more than the HR's, and have a linear spring rate (I think). HR's are progressive I think. Linear spring rate is more predictable at the track, but you'll have a stiffer ride. Progressive allows for a softer initial spring rate that will ramp up to a higher rate under compression.

For most people, 2 works very well.

[ndto]

thanks for the qucik reply, i live in Toronto so im always on paved roads, also i will be tracking once and a while,

I also just found out that for the H&R springs i need the impreza spring pearch? and not the strut mount im not sure if someone can confirm

but i would prefer a lower stance because im immature and think that a low wagon would be very sexy :lol:

[sexystover]

you may be immature but a low wagon is sexy whether u are or arnt lol

[KAG]

I also just found out that for the H&R springs i need the impreza spring pearch? and not the strut mount im not sure if someone can confirm
Anyone know if this is true or not? I haven't heard anything about needing more than the springs to put them on. They should fit right in, and I'm curious because I'm looking into putting H&Rs on my sedan.

If you do go 2 or 3, go with the KYB gr-2s. My mechanic puts KYB's gr-2s on ALL Subaru's he has worked on. I drove a 97 Brighton with them, they were flat out great for comfort and handling. Everyone with a Legacy seems to like these, I'm yet to hear someone dislike them. I thought they were great, but I can tell you that Bilsteins will be better for track use.

[rougeben83]

I also just found out that for the H&R springs i need the impreza spring pearch? and not the strut mount im not sure if someone can confirm
Anyone know if this is true or not? I haven't heard anything about needing more than the springs to put them on. They should fit right in, and I'm curious because I'm looking into putting H&Rs on my sedan.

If you do go 2 or 3, go with the KYB gr-2s. My mechanic puts KYB's gr-2s on ALL Subaru's he has worked on. I drove a 97 Brighton with them, they were flat out great for comfort and handling. Everyone with a Legacy seems to like these, I'm yet to hear someone dislike them. I thought they were great, but I can tell you that Bilsteins will be better for track use.

It's true. Only USDM BE/H legacys use a different front spring perch (metal plate that goes on top of the spring) than the imprezza - euro/jdm models use the same as an impreza. H&R based their spring on a German legacy IIRC, so it uses the impreza one.

I had to use impreza perches with the stock JDM B4 springs on my Bilsteins for example.

Search on this board, there's a good DIY with pictures.

[ndto]

i was reading around,

and it was said that the springs have a smaller diameter at the top (H&R) and because of that an impreza spring perch may be needed, im guessing just the stock one.

im just trying to figure everything out now just so im not blind sided when i try to get them on,

also i was quoted 200CDN to get everythign put on but i also mentioned that i may need impreza top mounts (i was wrong) and he said 300

so is 200 a good price for installation?

lol beat me to it :lol:

[Huffer]

Check out sansMYSTI.

Has the H&R setup and it looks GOOD.

[rougeben83]

i was reading around,

and it was said that the springs have a smaller diameter at the top (H&R) and because of that an impreza spring perch may be needed, im guessing just the stock one.

im just trying to figure everything out now just so im not blind sided when i try to get them on,

also i was quoted 200CDN to get everythign put on but i also mentioned that i may need impreza top mounts (i was wrong) and he said 300

so is 200 a good price for installation?

lol beat me to it :lol:

BE's have the same front top mounts as the imprezas and older legacy's. I have Noltec camberplates on mine and they were originally from an STi.

if 200 includes mounting the springs onto the struts, yes, it's a good price.

Remember you don't need to take off the rear seat to access the rear struts. They're right on the trunk floor.

[DOOK]

my BH wagon is dropped on tein flex.... it's nice :D

[subaru_terrence]

andy..let me know if you are interested in this.

My friend installed my new strut and spring for $100 only.
It might take longer since we dont have a hoist but again..it's only $100.

OR

I know a shop on dixie and courtney park that works on my car all the time. He quoted me $40 or 45 per strut

[sansMYSTi]

Check out sansMYSTI.

Has the H&R setup and it looks GOOD.

Thank you very much Huffer. I used the H&R Sport drop springs on my JDM Bilsteins and they work great together - no change to spring perch. IIRC it had a drop of 1.5 inches in the front, and 1.3 inches in the rear.


https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=5254&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/
(Not very clean, but you get an idea of where the springs settled to)

[ndto]

OK so i have finally found a set up

I found some jdm bilstiens with sti pink springs, anyone with experience on this set up?

or even pics to show the drop,

Thanks in advance

[Airgne]

i know that i have kyb gr2's and h&r springs with perchs for sale.

[ndto]

well they are being sold as a package from an importer at a very reasonable price, im just tyring to find out how much they will lower and what it would look like

but thanks

[KAG]

Did you get the ones from Kevin at 5mile?

Those looked good, I just didn't want to pay the $125+ to have them shipped to my door.

My only knowledge on them is, they will lower your car quite a bit. (maybe more than h&r's, I'm not sure though) I do know they have a lateral spring rate, so the ride might be a little harsh, but, your car will handle significantly better.

Let us know when you get them on, I'd be interested to see the exact drop.

[Airgne]

i think its 1.5 front and 1.35 front drop on those springs

[ndto]

hahah yeah i got those and the jdm taillights for a pretty good price,

so if the lowering specs are 1.5 and 1.35 then i think ill have a pretty good stance, i was worried they wouldnt lower enough

[Airgne]

i think they are made for a seadn, so it might be a little lower in the rear on a wagon i think.

[ndto]

imi told this set up is specifically for the wagon so i really hop i dont get sag in the rear,

I dont think i will actually install these untill after winter though but i may just get impatient :lol:

[jg09]

This help?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=10547

I asked (kind of) the same question not too long ago.

[ndto]

OKAY,

sooo i hit a tire on the highway a couple weeks ago and while im fixing the front i figured that this would be the best time to install my suspension,

I ended up getting the jdm bilstien with sti pink springs from 5 mile (great service btw)

and i will post pics as soon as i get my baby back

:grin: