impreza wagon suspension
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Yes.....
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but absolutely baffled by the amount of info on compatible suspension on the SF5 chassis so thought I'd just ask my98 foz UK s-turbo what shocks and springs fit??? From what I've read classic impreza sedan shocks and wagon springs are best do the rears bolt on or would the top mounts need to be swapped? Also would new age impreza wagon or sedan fit?? As I'm going for used parts would prefer newer model stuff. Don't mind a bit of sag as this can be cured with spacers. The reason I'm changing the shockers is there weak very weak and I think the springs on mine are lowered ones anyway ill take some pics later and post them also at what point does the body lift need to be removed bearing on mind I don't want to go mega low just want to replace my worn out shockers. Cheers Chris.
For the 99 SF - GC8 (classic) saloon struts work fine as do the wagon parts. The top hats on the rear Impreza struts will need to be swapped with your Forester parts. If you are buying s/h, it might be an idea to buy a new set of wagon springs for the rear, regardless of the source of the shockers, and these can be fitted when changing the top hats. 04 WRX struts are a direct replacement, no part swapping. You will probably still require some saggy butt spacers though, I'd suggest starting with the 1/2" item. I've linked you to the part (04-07) on the PF site. I was running +1" spacers before I bought a new set of GT wagon springs, which now allow better handling of heavy loads and reducing of the spacer depth to 1/2". Also, if you require more than 1/2" of spacer, the top hats need to have the mounting studs removed (PITA) and longer bolts fitted.
Some guys fitted STI struts and/or combinations of springs to the SF with mixed results, most of them reported the car to be too harsh and some went back to WRX parts, IIRC. Putting STI springs on WRX struts isn't a great idea because the damper will then be under damped, causing a firm and bouncy ride. In reverse, the ride will be equally harsh so the question of lowering springs needs to be approached carefully I suspect. However, that's not what you asked about but in case you had considered this point, that's my view. My 99, on GC8 shockers (new rear springs, spacers,ARBs and links), acquired a very compliant ride over the rather harsh and wobbly OEM setup, and handles much better too. The original ride was so hard that I was avoiding cats eyes and seams in the road.
If the ARBs haven't been changed from the OEM parts, this will also be necessary as they will be totally unable to cope with the lowered suspension geometry and the car will roll like a bag of water in the bends. Personally, I ended up with a Whiteline 22mm adjustable at the back on the softest setting, and a WL 20mm on the front although there was no apparent difference to the WRX 20mm item I had prior. If cash is an issue, s/h GC8/WRX parts (shockers/ARBs) of those years will fit our cars and work fine. New links would probably be a good idea though.
Some negative camber on the back is good for handling and tyre clearance but not quite so rubber friendly. I dialed in some extra negative camber on the front using the camber bolts (-1.5 deg I think) which makes the steering feel much better.
Perhaps you could throw up a picture or two to help ascertain whether you are lowered already and if so, what needs doing. If someone else lowered the car before you bought it, you can't know whether it was done properly. A complete set of classic shockers should be available pretty cheaply from a breakers and new replacements are more plentiful than Forester dampers as well but if the back end is very soft/weak, the ARB should be looked at. The OEM part is 15mm diameter, and a waste of time.
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Some guys fitted STI struts and/or combinations of springs to the SF with mixed results, most of them reported the car to be too harsh and some went back to WRX parts, IIRC. Putting STI springs on WRX struts isn't a great idea because the damper will then be under damped, causing a firm and bouncy ride. In reverse, the ride will be equally harsh so the question of lowering springs needs to be approached carefully I suspect. However, that's not what you asked about but in case you had considered this point, that's my view. My 99, on GC8 shockers (new rear springs, spacers,ARBs and links), acquired a very compliant ride over the rather harsh and wobbly OEM setup, and handles much better too. The original ride was so hard that I was avoiding cats eyes and seams in the road.
If the ARBs haven't been changed from the OEM parts, this will also be necessary as they will be totally unable to cope with the lowered suspension geometry and the car will roll like a bag of water in the bends. Personally, I ended up with a Whiteline 22mm adjustable at the back on the softest setting, and a WL 20mm on the front although there was no apparent difference to the WRX 20mm item I had prior. If cash is an issue, s/h GC8/WRX parts (shockers/ARBs) of those years will fit our cars and work fine. New links would probably be a good idea though.
Some negative camber on the back is good for handling and tyre clearance but not quite so rubber friendly. I dialed in some extra negative camber on the front using the camber bolts (-1.5 deg I think) which makes the steering feel much better.
Perhaps you could throw up a picture or two to help ascertain whether you are lowered already and if so, what needs doing. If someone else lowered the car before you bought it, you can't know whether it was done properly. A complete set of classic shockers should be available pretty cheaply from a breakers and new replacements are more plentiful than Forester dampers as well but if the back end is very soft/weak, the ARB should be looked at. The OEM part is 15mm diameter, and a waste of time.
Thanks for the quick response bassmaker its definitely lower than standard will add pics later. The ARB also looks standard so no wonder it feels abit soft. The shocks are shot I noticed this when stripping and greasing the brakes that when I tightened the bolts the shocks compressed this was on all four corners not good the ride height I've got looks cool but is a little low and catches occasionally so don't want to go lower. The car only cost me £800 so that's why I'm looking at used parts also I've got a subaru breakers in the area I live so could source stuff there. Cheers and Happy New Year.
Cool gigsy just struts or complete with springs?
Complete units.
With top hats aswell? How much you looking for ?
Pictures of the Foz
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The rear ARB looks very skinny
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The rear ARB looks very skinny
Yeah the sag doesn't worry me too much just want better handling have you changed the rear ARB ?
Where did you get the locking bolts from and are they the same for all the rear ends? I.e. impreza, foz ....
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