Strut compatibility question - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

khail19 · 2009-12-28, 01:05 AM

While I was moving, I found my stock struts (2002 RS). Does anyone know if they will fit on a FWD 93 Impreza?

ScottyS · 2009-12-28, 09:14 AM

I think the FWD complicates it a bit. Kevin could answer better than I, but initially I would say that Bugeye struts might fit the AWD GC chassis, but the top rear holes would need enlarging at minimum. I am also not sure of the final alignment ability.

In short, I'm pretty sure they can be hacked on to the AWD version, but it would not be a "drop in" solution, nor would it likely be the best OEM substitute option.

I am basing this off the fact that GC suspension is a direct swap out with my BC suspension for all intents and purposes, and that Bugeye suspension can be hacked onto the BC chassis.

khail19 · 2009-12-29, 12:53 AM

Thanks for the info Scotty. I doubt my brother's GF wants me hacking up her car just to install used struts with 50K on them.

van · 2009-12-29, 06:14 PM

I don't think the FWD is any different than the AWD suspension wise. The problem with fitting GD suspension bits to a GC is the rear struts are taller and as scotty said, have a different bolt mount size/pattern.

Kevin M · 2009-12-29, 08:32 PM

Pretty sure fronts are good to go (the tops will be rotated, but it doesn't affect anything). IIRC though, FWD rear struts are significantly different than AWD rear struts. Plus there's the rear tophat/spring seat issue.

A1337STI · 2009-12-30, 08:07 PM

THEY FIT

A1337STI · 2009-12-30, 08:12 PM

they should definitely fit. i can swap half shafts and hub assemblies , with any GC, and any GD (and 91-94 legacies i think) not sure if you'de have to change the top hats or not, i don't know which year they changed that .. think it was 02 wasn't it? so you may need to swap top hats. i think

my coil overs are made for an awd gc and everything fits (the rear struts have more caster than what the AWD has, and need to be longer though) I have to max out my rear struts to achieve stock ride height but i can set my fronts to stock with about 3" of lift available.

hmmf somehow i didn't realize you have a FWD 93. if you ever need i have a bunch of spares stock piled, i could definitely spot you a part until you found replacement

van · 2009-12-30, 08:32 PM

they do fit if you change the rear top hats, just be ready for a 3" or so rear lift on any non-coilover setup.

khail19 · 2009-12-30, 10:20 PM

Thanks for all the info guys. Sounds like it's not a direct swap, and not really worth the trouble to make them fit. This is a non-modded, daily driver and a 3 inch rear lift doesn't seem like a good idea.

100_Percent_Juice · 2009-12-30, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khail19

a 3 inch rear lift doesn't seem like a good idea.

Unless you add a huge subwoofer box to level it back out.

MPREZIV · 2009-12-31, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1337STI

...my coil overs are made for an awd gc and everything fits (the rear struts have more caster than what the AWD has, and need to be longer though)...

I assume you mean camber, because caster is a steering angle, and the rear does not technically have measurable caster...

sperry · 2009-12-31, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

I assume you mean camber, because caster is a steering angle, and the rear does not technically have measurable caster...

Didn't you know, rally cars have rear-wheel steering. The hard part is just hitting the boulders over and over again correctly to bend the rear lateral links for the next up coming corner.

Libila · 2009-12-31, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Didn't you know, rally cars have rear-wheel steering. The hard part is just hitting the boulders over and over again correctly to bend the rear lateral links for the next up coming corner.

2009-12-28, 01:05 AM	#1
khail19 EJ205 Real Name: Khail Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,769 Car: 2016 VW GTI Meets? We have meets?	Strut compatibility question While I was moving, I found my stock struts (2002 RS). Does anyone know if they will fit on a FWD 93 Impreza?

2009-12-28, 09:14 AM	#2
ScottyS EJ205 Real Name: It is real! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: RNO Posts: 2,367 Car: 1998 Impreza Wagon, 1991 Legacy Turbo Sedan, 2003 Nissan Xterra Class: tvFree Yes, I'll fix it for you. Again.	I think the FWD complicates it a bit. Kevin could answer better than I, but initially I would say that Bugeye struts might fit the AWD GC chassis, but the top rear holes would need enlarging at minimum. I am also not sure of the final alignment ability. In short, I'm pretty sure they can be hacked on to the AWD version, but it would not be a "drop in" solution, nor would it likely be the best OEM substitute option. I am basing this off the fact that GC suspension is a direct swap out with my BC suspension for all intents and purposes, and that Bugeye suspension can be hacked onto the BC chassis. __________________ "Trend Number One is that people aren't getting any smarter." Dogbert

2009-12-29, 08:32 PM	#5
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Pretty sure fronts are good to go (the tops will be rotated, but it doesn't affect anything). IIRC though, FWD rear struts are significantly different than AWD rear struts. Plus there's the rear tophat/spring seat issue. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2009-12-30, 08:07 PM	#6
A1337STI EJ205 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,840 Car: Impreza and an Impreza Class: AS / CRS PerfStock "pedal on the right"	THEY FIT __________________ Fighting uphill battles, one bullet at a time!

2009-12-30, 08:12 PM	#7
A1337STI EJ205 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,840 Car: Impreza and an Impreza Class: AS / CRS PerfStock "pedal on the right"	they should definitely fit. i can swap half shafts and hub assemblies , with any GC, and any GD (and 91-94 legacies i think) not sure if you'de have to change the top hats or not, i don't know which year they changed that .. think it was 02 wasn't it? so you may need to swap top hats. i think my coil overs are made for an awd gc and everything fits (the rear struts have more caster than what the AWD has, and need to be longer though) I have to max out my rear struts to achieve stock ride height but i can set my fronts to stock with about 3" of lift available. hmmf somehow i didn't realize you have a FWD 93. if you ever need i have a bunch of spares stock piled, i could definitely spot you a part until you found replacement __________________ Fighting uphill battles, one bullet at a time!

2009-12-29, 12:53 AM	#3
khail19 EJ205 Real Name: Khail Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,769 Car: 2016 VW GTI Meets? We have meets?	Thanks for the info Scotty. I doubt my brother's GF wants me hacking up her car just to install used struts with 50K on them.

2009-12-29, 06:14 PM	#4
van SECCS Brewmeister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: on the edge of a marsh Posts: 1,451	I don't think the FWD is any different than the AWD suspension wise. The problem with fitting GD suspension bits to a GC is the rear struts are taller and as scotty said, have a different bolt mount size/pattern.

2009-12-30, 08:32 PM	#8
van SECCS Brewmeister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: on the edge of a marsh Posts: 1,451	they do fit if you change the rear top hats, just be ready for a 3" or so rear lift on any non-coilover setup.

2009-12-30, 10:20 PM	#9
khail19 EJ205 Real Name: Khail Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,769 Car: 2016 VW GTI Meets? We have meets?	Thanks for all the info guys. Sounds like it's not a direct swap, and not really worth the trouble to make them fit. This is a non-modded, daily driver and a 3 inch rear lift doesn't seem like a good idea.

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