Author Topic: WRX Suspension - how much drop (Read 4603 times)

Dylan780 · « **on:** February 10, 2016, 08:31:04 am »

I know there was a post on this made already but that was in 2010 and for some reason none of the photos posted work on my computer...

There is a set of WRX suspension I am looking to pick up for the SF5 to give it a little drop but I am wondering how substantial the drop will be? If it is only like an inch I don't think it is worth it, 2-3 inches and I will go ahead and pick them up.

Anyone here running stock WRX suspension on their Forester and did you need saggy butt spacers?

10secdream · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2016, 08:34:22 am »

This is on a 2004 Forester XT but i expect the drop to be similar. My drop was about 2"

Before:

After:

Dylan780 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2016, 08:39:07 am »

Is that with wagon or sedan springs? Cause your ride height was pretty damn even and from what I have read the rear should be sagging quite a bit.

Barrett · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2016, 08:43:51 am »

Actually I'm doing this on Friday.

From what I've read, WRX wagon struts/springs work fine with no saggy butt spacers needed. WRX sedan struts/springs also bolt up, but saggy butt spacers are required. I do believe it's about a 2" drop. I'll know for sure on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

10secdream · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2016, 08:46:38 am »

Quote from: Dylan780 on February 10, 2016, 08:39:07 am

Is that with wagon or sedan springs? Cause your ride height was pretty damn even and from what I have read the rear should be sagging quite a bit.

Sedan springs but it sagged a bit. I probably needed 3/8" saggy butt spacers to even it out.

Dylan780 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2016, 08:47:40 am »

Quote from: Barrett on February 10, 2016, 08:43:51 am

Actually I'm doing this on Friday.

From what I've read, WRX wagon struts/springs work fine with no saggy butt spacers needed. WRX sedan struts/springs also bolt up, but saggy butt spacers are required. I do believe it's about a 2" drop. I'll know for sure on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Will you be using wagon springs or sedan springs + spacers when you do yours? Also, could you take a couple before and after pictures for me? I will wait till I see your pictures before I decide if I pick mine up or not.

RedBimmer93 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2016, 09:59:20 am »

To add some reference, Canuckrz swapped a set of forester STi springs into his 04 xt, and this dropped his car about an inch or so

Dylan780 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:14:35 am »

I'm just going to go ahead and pick up the WRX suspension. The guys wants next to nothing for them so if doesn't end up dropping as much as I would like it isn't a huge loss.

Also this will just be my winter set up, I will still be running coilovers during the summer.

Barrett · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:18:04 am »

Quote from: Dylan780 on February 10, 2016, 08:47:40 am

Will you be using wagon springs or sedan springs + spacers when you do yours? Also, could you take a couple before and after pictures for me? I will wait till I see your pictures before I decide if I pick mine up or not.

If you still want me to take pictures and send them to you I definitely can. I'm using WRX wagon struts/springs. No spacers.

Dylan780 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:21:40 am »

Quote from: Barrett on February 10, 2016, 10:18:04 am

If you still want me to take pictures and send them to you I definitely can. I'm using WRX wagon struts/springs. No spacers.

I think I am going to pick up the suspension tonight and install them tomorrow so I won't need the photos. But you still should, it's nice having progress shots of your vehicle changing over time.

If I don't end up buying them before you do yours I will PM you for some photos if you don't mind

Barrett · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:23:39 am »

Quote from: Dylan780 on February 10, 2016, 10:21:40 am

I think I am going to pick up the suspension tonight and install them tomorrow so I won't need the photos. But you still should, it's nice having progress shots of your vehicle changing over time.

If I don't end up buying them before you do yours I will PM you for some photos if you don't mind

Absolutely. I always take before and after pictures when installing new parts

gotta keep the journal up to date.

austenjanzen · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2016, 10:24:15 pm »

I'm also curious what's all needed for my gfs sf5

ultimatt · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2016, 12:28:17 am »

Wrx sedan suspension with 3/8th saggy butt spacers. And maybe a little lower due to carrying the old struts in the back.

OEM setup shown on left. (best pic I have sorry)

flipincanadian · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2016, 10:03:14 am »

Iirc wrx suspension gives you about 2 1/2" of drop wether wagon or sedan. Wagon setups sets sit level and sedan setups need 3/8ths saggy but spacers to sit level on a forester. It's probably the best cheap mod to the looks of the forester you can do.

cmyles · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2016, 10:09:25 am »

I have a set of WRX wagon springs in my garage if anybody wants to give em a shot.

austenjanzen · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2016, 09:15:10 pm »

Iirc? And how much for those wagon struts?

RockThePylon · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2016, 10:02:56 pm »

Quote from: austenjanzen on February 12, 2016, 09:15:10 pm

Iirc?

If I Recall Correctly

One of those internet acronyms that old people like Rathburn hate.

RedBimmer93 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2016, 10:47:09 am »

Quote from: RockThePylon on February 12, 2016, 10:02:56 pm

If I Recall Correctly

One of those internet acronyms that old people like Rathburn hate.

Wtfbbq!?

Barrett · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2016, 11:22:20 am »

Just to give an update, I went to install them last night, and can confirm a nice drop in the front. I'm not sure if I read online incorrectly that 02-03 WRX top hats work fine on SF5's, but the rear top hats don't line up. Couldn't use my SF5 top hats as the WRX springs were tapered at the top and the SF5 springs aren't. So, in my case I need new top hats for the rears to fit properly.

Not sure if 04-07 top hats are needed, I swear I read that 02-03's were needed to fit perfectly, and the guy I bought them from said they were an 02.

Had to go back to OEM as the car is a DD and I need it for work. So I won't be swapping mine out for a while now.

Dylan780 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2016, 11:35:41 am »

2002-2007 WRX should swap in without issue, maybe he sold you GC suspension as the rear GC tophats don't fit. Either way that sucks man

Dylan780 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2016, 03:14:02 pm »

Ultimatt are you running spacers on your Forester? My GC8 wheels didn't fit and the tires rubbed on the stock suspension.

ultimatt · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2016, 03:19:59 pm »

Nope just the saaggy butt spacers.

215/60/16s

Dylan780 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2016, 03:59:17 pm »

Hmm..what the hell then haha. I wonder why my wheels didn't want to fit properly. It was dark and cold though, maybe I will try again, maybe I overlooked something.

Barrett · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2016, 04:53:07 pm »

Quote from: Dylan780 on February 13, 2016, 11:35:41 am

2002-2007 WRX should swap in without issue, maybe he sold you GC suspension as the rear GC tophats don't fit. Either way that sucks man

Yeah it does. Oh well, found a guy selling 04 STi top hats somewhat locally. So I'll make a trip to pick them up sometime. Helpful hint for others looking at this thread later, the SF's have metal covers over the rear tops inside the trunk. I'll be using those to ensure they match up before buying the new rear top hats.

Dylan780 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2016, 05:21:00 pm »

Well the guy I was going to buy the suspension off already sold them so I am still looking for a set of WRX suspension.