Could anyone let me know if the standard (OEM) WRX Wagon suspension springs from a Blobeye or Hawkeye would fit the shocks from a Bugeye?

 

Can anyone help with this please?

 

Could be wrong but I have a 1999 t reg forester turbo s and have got suspension from a uk300 impreza to lower it and was told to get suspension from a 2001 to 2006 car to put on it as they will all fit also been told to put wagon springs on struts as forester as it is more of an estate car .think struts are the same on car and wagon just stronger springs on wagons .

 

OK thanks for that t1gger.

Would anyone else out there like to confirm t1gger's thoughts about OEM spring compatibility between Bugeye's and newer models?

 

I find it very difficult to believe that on a forum that is brimming with so much talent and expertise regarding technical issues surrounding Subaru's, that I have been unable to have been furnished with a definitive answer regarding my concerns about replacing Bugeye suspension springs for those of a later model?

 

Different rear springs so you need the rear top mounts also

 

dont usually post on here just thought some one might say different if I posted a reply.have you tried a motor spares shop for any info .I know when I change mine over I will have to use my top mounts on impreza struts I am fitting so would think you can use your original top mounts.like you say not a difficult question not used to subarus and some one else must know the answer as it is only suspension

 

So if I'm reading you right, the fronts are totally compatible and the rears fit on the actual shock body but need the top mount from the later model also!

Thanks Gambit.

 

im sure you can use your original top mounts. like I said I have been told if i get saloon struts to put wagon springs on them and have never heard of any thing else being changed just swap springs over if it helps the set I got was from a uk 300 impreza and one rear strut has been replaced and it has 02 wrx written on it from a breakers yard.like I say im new to subarus .why not try asking one of the people who break cars on here

 

I was just hoping to use my original top mounts as they are at least £50.00 each to replace new.

Maybe I will look out for some newer model top mounts on eBay or buy them new or not use the springs at all.

Anyway, thanks for your input.

 

Cant you drop one of your struts out and try swapping a spring over.should only take an hour tops to get it off and swap spring over.also rear strut braces go from 01 to 07 when they are sold so your top hats would fit

 

Hi there

WRX springs should be interchangeable,difference is mainly on the STI and no on the WRX

Jura

 

I hope you're right. Thanks!

 

Bugeye rear springs are different than blob and hawk as they use a different rear top mount.

Sti & wrx use the same rear spring setup regarding top mounts

so if you want to use bug springs on blob/hawk or vice versa you need the corresponding rear top mounts

 

That's only if you are using the struts also, springs on their own are interchangable on new ages but agree the wagon springs are stiffer/weighted.

 

So I can use the 2006 springs on my Bugeye shocks whilst retaining the original 2002 top mounts?

 

Yes they're different on the STI and I don't think so,they're different on WRX,just due you can buy Eibach WRX springs which are for 2002-2007 and several other you can buy too

Those two threads can helps

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1606511

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563382

If you want to be 100% sure then I would suggest,best will be speaking with Arnie,he knows his stuff about the suspensions

Jura

 

As mentioned above, blobeye and hawkeye springs are not compatible with the tophats of a bugeye. If you want to use 04+ springs on a bugeye then you will need the newer rear tophats as well.

But that's not all, the rear struts are also different. The upper spigot (the threaded portion of the piston rod) is also different. The bugeyes have a bit of a shoulder on them whereas the 04+ does not. You will need to use a spacer to make these struts compatible with the 04+ strut top. The best solution is the Scooby921 Spacer. Without this spacer (or a stack of washers) there will be a gap between the upper spigot and the tophat leading to a knocking noise.

A few notes: There is only one decent aftermarket strut available that is 04+ and that is the koni insert. The other adjustable struts, KYB AGX and Tokico DSpec, are only bugeye compatible (Koni also available for bugeye). There are very few aftermarket spring sets available for the bugeye strut. The best selection is 04+ springs. IMHO, a company out of the US called RaceComp Engineering makes the best (most well thought through) springs for 04+ models. Great spring rates and a choice between a minimal drop and slightly more aggressive drop. Anyway, you will need to use the Scooby 921 spacer if you pair these newer springs with the available adjustable strut selection.

Wagon springs are wound to make up for the extra weight of the rear end. Most aftermarket springs are saloon only. However, most are designed with a bit of front rake, so when used on a wagon, the front and rear ride heights are still aesthetically pleasing. However some saloon springs, like Eibach Prokit will give the wagon a saggy butt look if installed.

There is not difference in spring compatibility between WRX and STi as far as strut top and strut engagement goes, other than the above mentioned bugeye vs 04+. Naturally, STi springs (and aftermarket for STi) will have a higher spring rate than WRX based springs (stiffer damper on STi).

Unfortunately the original pics I took documenting all these differences are no longer hosted so I can't show them to you.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

bit off topic sorry but would the RaceComp not be considered too stiff for UK roads (albeit you are in Germany!) they are rated at 295 lbs/in front, 275 lbs/in rear

ive been chasing a decent set of springs for my 06 sti (daily driver) for about 9mths now after making the fatal error of fitting eibachs which are way way too soft for it. (Had prodrive WR Sport blue eibachs in my old classic and thought Eibachs would be good in hawk )

ideally id been looking 04 STI Pinks but i was thinking theyd even be too hard for UK roads plus hard to find a set here

ive a set of H&R sitting in the garage which are slightly stiffer than Eibachs but not by much and im sort off in 2 minds whether to fit them

are the RB320 eibachs different again?

Spring rates all listed here:-
http://www.northursalia.com/techdocs/spring/spring.html

Prodrive Bilstein shocks on front & std sti shocks on rear.

 

Gambit - yeah, spring rate may be a bit much for some UK b roads, but to be honest it depends a lot on suspension travel and the damper in question. for example, I've always found the standard GD STi damper a bit stiff and nuggety feeling at low speeds using the standard spring. the JDM pink springs were a noticeable improvement in comfort, yielding a much more supple low speed ride. And this spring was stiffer and lower than the Spec C spring we had on previously. I would contact Myles from RCE to voice your concerns and see what he has to say. I know he tested/developed the springs over the worst roads in the DC and NYC roads, so they should be alright for your stuff. I've personally never been a fan of the H&R springs. At least the ones I'd tested designed for a bugeye wrx. way too low and soft. we ran them on STi struts and they were horrible. Basically Stechs with a little less rake. Were deep into the bumpstops just standing there. Seem to be of the same school as Eibach sportline springs. just way too low/soft for standard struts.

I have to say i dont think too highly of standard German spring manufacturers like H&R, Eibach, KW, etc. as, IMO, they just plug their spring development for a car into their standard marketing program with very little R&D into what actually works well on the car. had a recent drive in a mate's A3 with a Bilstein/Eibach kit. F-en horrific. Car ride was horrible, bouncing all over the place. It was like a cheap civic on cut springs on blown struts! Its really disappointing to be honest. The quality is not the issue, its the actual spec of the springs that suck. its why I rate the RCE springs so highly. They actually put in some serious time into getting a spring right for the struts we use while using a ride height that does not compromise geometry or travel. Plus rce are a good group of folk and are very approachable. And they are passionate about subaru suspension.

 

Maybe, if trying to mix and match fixed perch shocks with different standard or aftermarket springs is a bit of a lottery then perhaps coilovers with the correctly rated springs for the vehicles main usage is the answer?

 

If the struts are adjustable then its practically the same lottery when using a coilover. how you adjust the dampers in either case will determine the performance and ride quality. but, sure, your basic premise is right.

i personally dont rate the inexpensive taiwanese based coilovers very highly. cant stand them to be honest. because they basically use the same two damper cartridges for several different cars and models. they just add different mounting collars, springs and camber plates. done. its horrible. i can see why companies do it, its easy money. its just painful for me to see people put them on their cars. unfortunately, for most, slamming the car and cranking the dampers to full stiff is all they want. then i'm happy for these kinds of setups as its such a waste of money for them to use anything better.

I would rather use a good adjustable damper like the dspec or koni combined with a quality spring. or save for a decent coilover setup.

 

Good to see you back Arnie and as I said best will be speaking with you as you have probably most experience with suspensions

This spacer can be possibly made cheaply via CNC

Agree on RCE

Jura

 

We're running on the Civic Type R KW V2 and to the date,they're best coilovers what we run,we are tried few setups and friend running on his Type R Skunk2 coilovers which are very hard on softest settings

Jura

 

@arnie - cheers for all the info, ill drop them an email regarding them as the eibachs are enough to put me off the car!

@jura - are you running the rce's or have experience of them?

 

Hi there

Have tried them on friend car(EVO VIII) and must admit,I've tried his car with Bilstein and afterwards I've tried with RCE,difference has been there for sure

I've not tried this on the our cars,wish I can try them and compare them,I would love to compare them on the track and from this I would choose

He swapped few months back them for Nitron and must admit Nitron is different in many ways and in my view they're best

Jura

 

cheers jura! been way too busy lately.

yes, they can be made locally if you dont want to support a fellow scooby enthusiast who took the time and effort to measure and produce the proper size spacer using high quality materials. I'm sure you would not be the first. Or you could contact the us distributor directly, order a few dozen and sell them in the UK. no one is getting rich off of these. but i personally like to support subaru community businesses who come up with great product specific for this platform even if it means paying a little extra.

i like the KW V2 and 3 but prefer the Comp simply because it uses linear rear springs. I really dont like the progressive rear springs KW puts on their standard V2/3 setup. Which is why i like RCEs custom KWV3 because along with the revalve, they install linear rear springs.

 

Hi Arnie

100% agree on supporting this.

Many people don't like buying stuff from US just due usual stuff as VAT,shipping cost and custom.I've bought few items from US and from 20USD item you will end to pay £40,due this I've suggested to make own one and I think this can end with bigger outlay as I've think on previous occasion

What you think about TiC(Turn in Concept) combos?

They're better than RCE?

Just wish RCE are available over here and I would say,few people here will buy them for sure,but when I would import them here,I think they will cost more than many people would prepare pay for them

Jura

 

I love both companies, to be honest. Both have their roots in the Subaru community and the companies support and complement each other. Its a very friendly relationship between the both of them. Yeah shipping and VAT costs can definitely make purchases out of the US prohibitive so I can understand when someone would prefer to manufacture something themselves if they have the option.

I've spoken to Myles of RCE about selling their stuff here but he had the same issue, cost. It would be a fairly big chunk of change to order enough product to make it worthwhile to import here to Europe/UK. however, since the Subaru market is slowing down in UK/Europe especially when it comes to big ticket items like coilovers. In the past, there were no cheap Taiwanese offerings. All coilovers from Bilstein, Leda, Powerflex, etc. were the only offerings and they are/were in upwards of 2000£ for a set. The Impreza cost 30-50,000£ so the people buying and modifying them were in a different income bracket as well as performance expectation. Now you can get a V5/6 STi for 2000£. Why would someone who just spent 2k on an entire car spend that much on coilovers? I think that ship has sailed in this part of the world. Its all cheap, cheap, cheap nowadays.

One might be able to make a business case for small items like kartboy endlinks/shifters, or the scooby921 spacers though.