tre36

Swapped the WRX Wagon Swifts & WRX GR2 combo for the Forester Swifts and Forester GR2 unit last night.

The WRX setup was an awesome combination of sporty handling and comfort but my driving now requires a bit more ground clearance and if one finds something that works why jump from the wagon right? So the other obvious combo would be Forester Swifts and Forester GR2s. The WRX combo gave a nice 3.5"/3" drop front/rear. The Forester bits dropped 1.5" front and .5" for the rear.

I got the springs on a group buy from Gary @ Mann-Engineering. The struts were bought off ebay. I use the 334342, 334343, 334344, 334344 KYB part numbers that were designated for the 2003 Forester. The 334370 and 334371 are part numbers for the 2004 to 2008 Forester. If you want to replace your struts with aftermarkets, save the $60 for your gas tank and just buy 334342/334343 fronts struts.



Notice length difference of the WRX and Forester bits...



Installation was along these lines...

JDM Forester STi pink springs for SG (03+) - ScoobyMods

I learned something out of this. Save your OEM parts because you never know when you will need it. I ran F-STi JDM springs with OEM struts but sold that takeoff. Then I got my WRX combo and had to build from parts I found on NASIOC and local wrecking yards. I have a buyer lined up for the WRX combo so I couldn't separate the tophats, but could only use the fronts though, from the unit. New tophats, bumps stops, strut covers, etc can cost some $$$ new or used. Well at least the WRX combo will go into another Forester.

I was able to score a pair of 06 STi rear tophats cheap and sea-scooby donated to me his buddy Jeff's 2001 Forester takeoffs. I was able to use everything from the 2001 Forester except the rear tophats. The rear strut covers were not a perfect match to the 04+ tapered tophats but I manage to get it to wrap around the bottom rim of the rear tophat. I was thrilled!

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MY03X-AT

 

tre36

Before with 225/45/17 tires:

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tre36

After with 225/45/17 tires:






After with 225/50/17 tires:

Mounted BFGoodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S tires this morning.

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nwroller

Seeing that makes me want to do my install tonight... I can't wait.

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2004 Forester XT 5sp stg 2
PSM - Platinum Silver Metalic
Just a couple a mods

tre36

I assembled the suspension last week and swapped it last night when I got home. Started at 10pm and finished at 1:45am. There was an hour dinner break somewhere in there. It was nice to have a second jack doing the install myself. I took it for a spin after and got home showered and went to bed at 3am. Slept like a baby til 8:30am then zipped down to the Renton Discount Tire. A blue Forester pulled up to my Foz while I was inside. Low and behold it was zee_lee!

The Forester combo was better than I expected. Handling is pretty good though I do miss my WRX setup when push hard in corners but that's a given with the shorter travel in suspension and lower CG. I am getting more of feel for it. I ran on the SPTs in 45 series tires last night and now I got new 50 series Super Sports A/S. Tires are still new so I am taking it easy.

However, I am very impressed with my initial drive last night after the install. Even with 45 series tires, the car was very comfortable. The front end is pretty solid but the rear wobbles a bit. Most likely the combination of higher CG and progressive springs. Nothing bad but something I notice going from my old setup. One thing I am getting used to is that I no longer have a lowrider and the new ride height will take some getting use to.

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sea-scooby

Looking good!

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mmtasty

looks much better now. I was thinking about STi parts for mine, but it'll just be too low. I have the Swifts already and I'm probably going to grab some of those KYBs. I wonder if I can get some Konis to fit...

Mann Engineering

tre36,

Did you get an alignment done on the car when you went to get new tires?

Regards,
Gary

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tallazzPilipino

on the WRX setup, did you also use 02/03 rear tophats?

also, did you trade the old WRX setup or do you have them still? i basically just want the springs.

Gary, what do you think about WRX Wagon Swifts on STi struts? no?

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tre36

The Foz is at the shop today for an alignment. It's definitely off due to change in ride height. The geometry is probably all messed up. With new tires and alignment off, I haven't really push the car. Though I am liking it so far. The GR2 seem to be a really good match to the Swifts and even at a higher ride height than my previous setup the car is pretty solid in the handling department. Sea-scooby is going to show me some neat places to really test it out later on.


I used 02/03 rear tophats for my WRX setup. The WRX Swift springs I used for WRX 02-03 specific. I already have a local buyer for my WRX Swift/GR2 setup. It's going into a 99 Foz along with my Sparcos.

I would hesitate to install the 02-03 WRX Swifts on OEM I-STi struts. The WRX Swift springs rates are lower than the OEM I-STi spring and we all the know the I-STi struts are overdampened for the OEM springs. Stock for stock, the I-STi gives you a bobblehead effect. I know Gary sell I-STi specific Swift springs and many people are happy with that on OEM I-STi springs.

If you use 02-03 springs on 04+ struts, you will also have to do the washer mod.

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sea-scooby

There is a sweet little road not far from your house that has some great twisties, nice elevation changes and never any traffic. I'll see if I can highlight it on a map so you can take your new setup out for a spin.

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05 Forester X A/T (hers)
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tallazzPilipino

i would do the STi Spec Rs, but i figured going with the WRX Wagons so i wouldn't have that rear sag. i guess i'll just stick to my other plan since i'll have an HDPE spacer to accomodate for the lower rear.

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nwroller

Here is a road that is pretty fun. It is short, and residential but you don't need a lot of speed to have fun on it.

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2004 Forester XT 5sp stg 2
PSM - Platinum Silver Metalic
Just a couple a mods

neoshi

Looks like Lombard in San Francisco heh

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sea-scooby

How do you save map shots like that?

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05 Forester X A/T (hers)
My Journal page