fwa's '97 Legacy wagon, update: The final chapter.

[98legwag]

they should work fine with the stock suspension, though i would recommend upgrading to sti stuff (or atleast wrx) simply because its more enjoyable. also be sure to get an alignment, it will make a big difference. i was previously running a slightly aggressive camber set-up of -2.3? front and -1.4 rear, but i have since dialed it back to -1.5 front and -1 rear. the only time i ever had rubbing issues was back when i still had s-tech springs on the sti struts (HORRIBLE springs) and a messed up alignment where im pretty sure i had some slight positive camber in the rear....

Thanks for the info! Our LGT is my wife's daily driver, so whatever I do suspension-wise has to be comfortable for her non-enthusiast sensibility Body roll seems to be the thing that stands out on her car for me right now. I'll need to revisit the suspension and swaybar FAQ's.

An Outback rear sway bar will help. And they are cheap.

[Grafton]

fwa if you were closer I have a outback rear bar laying around somewhere...

EDIT: reading fail, I though the above post was directed at you lol

[fwa2500]

i have a whiteline rear bar

[Wagonista]

What size tires are you running? Are those 235s?

[fwa2500]

225/45s, they are the stock re070s off an sti, plenty of clearance all around with the sti struts....and they look nicely meaty on the gt-b wheels, they are just a tiny bit bigger than the stock 185/70r14s

[fwa2500]

coming soon...

[fwa2500]

now with TiC enthusiast bushings in the rear (trailing arm and lateral links)



feel so much tighter

[mike-tracy]

Ah yes, bushings! Love em and hate removing the old ones. Such a PIA. This wagon is coming along nicely, nice work!

[Wagonista]

Niiiice... Yours must corner like a cheetah by now.

Actually I don't know if cheetahs can corner very good but it must be very nimble.

[fwa2500]

replaced the very much toast front right wheel bearing......



i knew it was quite dead, but damn...

[Navi271]

LOL! I had to replace my front left bearing a few years ago, and back then I didn't know as much about cars so I had someone else do it.

I also let mine go for a WHILE... I remember making turns putting all the cars weight on that one cruddy bearing was interesting. It made some of the worst noises I've ever heard! ah good times, I bet mine looked similar to yours! Good that it's taken care of though.

[fwa2500]

whorage

[fwa2500]

now with ipod connectivity! Dual X2DMA400

[Wagonista]

That is quite a classy head unit you've got there. The fact that it is double-DIN makes it look so much nicer.

[Huffer]

Gotta fix that 4EAT problem too... if you want to stay auto, you should see if a 5EAT will go in. Get better gas mileage.

[chrish8r]

Thats the type of head unit I want for my wagon. I love the way a double DIN looks cause it takes up the whole space. I just have to find the right one.....

[Grafton]

awesome looking head unit how much did it run you?

[fwa2500]

all of $116, im quite happy with it :P

[fwa2500]

swapped track pipes to one that has a rear o2 sensor bung......now i have both sensors again!

old vs. new (couldnt get the old sensor out, had to get two new ones)

[subie/legacy]

This wagon is full of win...
Well besides the automatic part, but that's just me trying to find something to keep my jealousy down.

[nikolaus.conrad]

I think you should go with finding a 5 speed automatic, just to be different!

[fwa2500]

so, i had a bit of a tyre failure on my way home from work. was exiting I275 at hebron to stop and get gas (was right on E) and while on the exit ramp i felt the back left corner go soft, though i didnt notice any sound (had music playing). pull up at speedway and yep. freaking flat tyre.



then i notice these gashes on the sidewall...






but the REAL scary thing was when i flipped it over....




i had just checked pressures after doing an oil change on tuesday, they were all fine, though slightly low presumably due to the chilly nights we have had the past several days. massive thanks to jordan for being there for me and loaning his spare to get me home!



have my winters back on until tomorrow, another friend is loaning me his spare set of summers (subie community ftw).....to say im not a happy camper right now is an understatement.

(and yes, i know my exhaust isnt lined up right. impreza exhaust on a lego=not perfect)

[1996Battlewagon]

That sucks man. Are you going to go with another tire after this? If it was me, I'd ditch those Potenzas and go with some S.Drives.

[fwa2500]

i will eventually be getting what i was going to get originally, Continental DW in 225/45R17, but until then, here is my loaner set-up....thanks again to Kai and Jordan for all the help!

[1996Battlewagon]

Neat choice on the DWs. I just looked them up and they seem legit. To be honest, I haven't heard much about Continental tires in regards to performance.

Those loaners wheels don't look bad at all. A little "bling-bling" but they don't mesh with the overall look.

[Dead91silvia]

I like the look you have going!

[Yamazaki]

Ha! Where'd you get the Adachi plate? That's the area that Hansvonaxion lives (kinda) and my wife used to live.

As for the wheels, I actually do think they go well with the car. It looks like a car I could see on the streets of Japan (and I'm not talking about the number plate anymore when i say that).

[nikolaus.conrad]

I think those wheels look great on your car

[fwa2500]

Ha! Where'd you get the Adachi plate? That's the area that Hansvonaxion lives (kinda) and my wife used to live.

got it on ebay for $15 at that price, i couldnt pass it up.

[fwa2500]

when i got back from my trip to japan, my car greeted me by saying "konnichiwa, bitch. fix me." and broke a battery lead......



so i fixed it....is it pretty and oem? no. does it work? yes, and thats all i care about.