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I'm just in the process of doing this (literally fitting the last couple of parts now).
I've gone for KYB Excel- G shocks (WRX OEM equivalent)
PCA Dynamics springs
Whiteline Drop-links front and rear.
Whiteline ARB bushes F&R
Will be fitting a 22mm adjustable Whiteline rear ARB shortly also.
Things to be aware of are:
PCA springs are Blob, therefore you need Blob rear top-mounts to fit. The KYB catalogue is WRONG. It states SM8101/2 for all years. The top-mounts changed '03. The correct rear top-mount part number is SM5422. You need a pair, they are not side specific, unlike the Bugeye mounts.
Front top-mounts are SM5361, you need a pair and these are the same across all years. Important to change these as they contain bearings which will have worn.
Whiteline drop-links part numbers: KLC31
KYB Excel-G shocks: 334300, 01,02,03.
Front ARB bush is 20mm. Rear is 17mm. Worth trying to source a 19/20mm saloon rear ARB whilst you're at it or a Whiteline adjustable one.
KYB Bump-Stops and Gaiters are: 910142 & 910046. I stupidly didn't realise that they came in pairs so bought 2 sets of both....let me know if you want me spares!
All fairly straight forward to replace the parts. Rear shocks/springs/mounts can be built separately, no parts from current ones need swapping over. Fronts need the top hats and bushes swapped over.
Front ARB brackets are fiddly and one of the stupidest designs I've ever come across...
Thanks for that, very helpful with all the part numbers!
I do have a question though, Are the 921 spacers still needed if you are using blob shocks with blob top mounts? Given the US model years are different I assumed they were for using Bug shocks in Blob top mounts?
You won't need the scooby 921 spacer, if you use the rear blob strut and rear blob top mount.
The scooby 921 spacer is for using rear blob top mount on rear bug strut.
The front febi 27848 bump stop is an improvement over the kyb front bump stop, if running lowered springs.
If you wanted new front dust boots, to go with the febi bump stops - they're available here:
Don't know I'm afraid. I wasn't 100% certain of the Blob/Bug shock similarities so stuck with the Bug items. It may well be that the only difference is the shaft thickness (hence the need for a spacer on the Bug).
Anyone have any idea where I can buy rear top mounts, import car parts are out for another 4 weeks and I'd like to crack on. Not paying £250 for Group N ones D:
From the rears, just the lower rubber spring bush, if you still have it. From the fronts, you'll need the top-hat and washer. I guess that you've already figured this out though...?
I've just recently finished my setup, so maybe able to able to add an opinion.
I fitted KYB Excel Gs, with the Prodrive Blue springs. New OE top mounts all round. I also replaced the droplinks with uprated Whitleline items, as well as the ARB bushes. Final upgrade was a 22mm adjustable RARB and some new tyres (Michelin Pilot Super Sports).
I need to add a caveat first - my suspension was shot before I changed it. One shock had completely blown and the others must have been on for at least 60k. Also, all the bushes that I replaced were totally worn. Finally, the only Impreza I have ever been in is mine....
The suspension is now on the firm side. It doesn't crash over bumps or potholes but you know they are there - you wouldn't want to be drinking some coffee or doing your make-up... However, I didn't fit the parts in isolation, so it may be down to the uprated bushes rather than the springs. That and the fact that everything is new and will soften over time. You can forgive a car setup for enthuisastic driving, for not having a magic carpet ride over crappy roads. The car feels composed at all time, never upset by the road surface.
Show it some corners on a decent surface and it really comes alive. Turn-in is much improved and the car corners flat, unless provoked under hard acceleration, where the rear becomes more evident than the front. Understeer all but eliminated unless being deliberately ham-fisted - this maybe more down to the RARB than the springs.
Had a chance to take it for a spirited run-out over the North Yorkshire Moors last week and it performed admirably. If anything, it highlights the lack of power with my PPP setup, rather than any suspension/chassis failings. Supple enough to stay composed over rough ground at speed but firm enough to keep body roll in check and deal with compressions. Encourages you to drive harder.
No doubt that it would be far too soft for serious track use but for a daily driver, I think that the springs are a great upgrade, both in performance and cost, over coil-overs for example.
Last edited by TECHNOPUG; 21 July 2015 at 02:15 PM.
Reason: Typos..
All went on fine In a weekend. I'm a novice with mechanics but nothing posed a problem.
My standard struts were shot and leaking. Rides great now for British roads and I wouldn't want it any firmer. I'm terms of ride height it's far from "totes slammed bruv" but that suits me fine.
I did the front and rear arb bushes to poly at the same time and I've been clunk free ever since!
All gets a thumbs up from me as a daily driver and non track goer.
Sounds like exactly what I'm after. just to clarify, you went with both blob shocks and top mounts at the back and it all bolted into your Bug without issue?
Did you get the geometry set afterwards?
Sounds like exactly what I'm after. just to clarify, you went with both blob shocks and top mounts at the back and it all bolted into your Bug without issue?
Did you get the geometry set afterwards?
Indeed. All the KYB codes were the same as technopug listed earlier in the thread. I winged it on the alignment (tut tut Joe) but I've got lucky as it handles great and tire wear is totally normal.
Ace. I've been looking for straight answers on this for ages. Not easy - or cheap! - avoiding coilovers on our cars. (bruv)
Last question. Winged it? As in bodged it yourself, or just didn't touch it?
Thanks
Ace. I've been looking for straight answers on this for ages. Not easy - or cheap! - avoiding coilovers on our cars. (bruv)
Last question. Winged it? As in bodged it yourself, or just didn't touch it?
Thanks
Roughly put it back how it came off haha. At least I think I did. It was a summers day and my brain was hot....
Great, thanks again for getting back to me so quickly.
Mine snapped a spring as I was jacking it up last night, so man maths means that I might as well replace the whole lot while I'm at it!
Good, clear, concise tread. A rare beast indeed!
I don't want to start a coilovers vs... argument but I've just fitted the meister r zetas to my 2005 blob wagon and they are great. 20mm drop all round so not too slammed, and not too crashy or uncomfortable. A bit more noise and vibration, but then i do have them set to firm (16/32). I've been driving my children and missus around all weekend and they haven't complained about the ride. We did have a discussion about man maths though...
Last edited by Cambs_Stuart; 09 February 2016 at 10:47 AM.
I don't want to start a coilovers vs... argument but I've just fitted the meister r zetas to my 2005 blob wagon and they are great. 20mm drop all round so not too slammed, and not too crashy or uncomfortable. A bit more noise and vibration, but then i do have them set to firm (16/32). I've been driving my children and missus around all weekend and they haven't complained about the ride. We did have a discussion about man maths though...
What spring rates?
What are your wheel centre to arch measurements?
What are your camber measurements front and rear?
What spring rates?
What are your wheel centre to arch measurements?
What are your camber measurements front and rear?
33cm front and 33.5cm rear.
Spring rates std meister r (5kg front 6kg rear)
I haven't got the alignment printout with me but it's very similar to this (copied from bonesetter), which I took along as a guide:
Last edited by Cambs_Stuart; 09 February 2016 at 07:17 PM.
02 July 2015, 10:44 AM
Bugeye Wagon Suspension.
