Hi, all - I'm trying to improve my 93 impreza's handling by putting stock WRX wheels and springs on it. I have a line on stock wheels/tires from a 2005 saabaru and stock springs with 10K from a 2002 wrx. I'm pretty sure the wheels will fit (5-100 16x16.5), but have no idea about the springs. Any thoughts? Is there a good resource for finding out which MY has stock parts that would fit my 93? and about how much would it cost to have a local shop put new springs on for me? Thanks a lot - Denis
WRX springs are made for a car heavier than yours. I'd just stick with parts designed specifically for your vehicle. With that said, any springs made for a 93-01 Impreza are interchangeable. The shocks are a different story, depending on whether you have a FWD or AWD vehicle. Which springs you should get really all depends on what goals you're trying to achieve.
thanks, shu I'm sure that's a good point regarding weight and original parts, and I've certainly heard that it's easier to screw up a suspension than to improve it (I think I pulled that from Edmunds, but I'm sure it's not original to that site). i'm really just trying to have a slightly tighter ride, I guess, and to that end I'm sure the original equipment on my 93 would've been satisfactory, if not perfect, back in 93. but if I pay to do anything to the suspension, I thought I might as well explore options (like relatively cheap stock springs from someone's wrx) rather than simply put on the recommended monroe product. To be clear, nothing's leaking or bouncing wildly - it just feels fairly loose to drive, and I'd like it to feel better. Not race-car better - just better.
Well, you have plenty of options out there for suspension setups that will fit your vehicle properly. You just have to do a little digging. There's a wealth of information on this site or any of the other Subaru forums out there. What you said is true...it's quite easy to do more harm than good. Just because a part fits doesn't mean that it was engineered with your specific goal in mind.
thanks, you guys I appreciate the feedback. The first step is wheels and tires, hopefully this weekend -- then I'll see if I can get up the motivation/cash to investigate the creeeaky sound I get going over speed bumps. Little by little, the ride improves. By the way, liquidforce - when you said stock springs, did you mean wrx? or oem for my 93 (unlikely, but maybe?) Thanks again.
depths of my ignorance Thanks, LF - I appreciate the offer. Unfortunately, and this is where my ineptitude really shines forth, I've got zero experience with putting springs on, so I'd have to pay to have it done - otherwise I'd definitely take you up on it. By the way, my shocks and springs are all original - so 15 years old. I have to imagine they're at least a little worn at this point, no? WJM suggested in another thread that I do shocks and springs at the same time, rather than pay twice. What do all you think? When folks upgrade their wrx's, do they replace shocks AND springs, or just springs? Can I hope to get someone's stock shocks and springs both? And would that be asking for trouble - my little 2400-lb 93 is like 600 pounds lighter than a WRX, so. . . so what? And here's an even more basic question: springs provide firm ride, right? firmer the spring, stiffer the ride? while shocks are the things that stop the spring's oscillation - kind of like a spring retarder? So what will the new springs/old shocks combination do to me and my tailbone? Sorry for the basic questions, everyone, but thanks a lot for your help - it's really great to learn about all of this.
Start a new thread saying you want to install springs. Within a day, you will have multiple people replying, offering help. That is the beauty of WRXatlanta.
oh, man - TWO sets. I'd be the richest man in all of Bedford Falls. Seriously, I appreciate it -- I'll take you (well, okay, liquid force) up on it when I get my act together and figure out what I want to do with the suspension.