kanoswrx Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 Installed the JDM Legacy 2.0GT's suspension on my car today. Just so everyone knows, its not the Spec B setup, but it does have Bilstein shocks, and I think the same springs and top hats. Basiclly the Struts are not as stiff on the suspension I have. Install: The install went very well, had some fellow Suby friends come by and help out, took about 2 hours going at a casual pace. I started in the rear, jacked up the car from the rear diff, then put jack stands at the two rear side jack points. Then I pulled out the lining in the back, but we had the hardest time finding the two bolts from the top of the suspension. Turns out they are shoved way back there, right next to the seat, we didn't take the rear lining out completely which was why we couldn't see them at first. Here is a picture: http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/DSCF0001s.jpg Once we found those it was a simple matter of unbolting the bottom bolt and pulling out the suspension then putting the new one in. Much easier then messing with having to go through the back seat in the WRX. The bolts were a little tight, nothing a breaker bar and/or jack couldn't fix Here are some more pictures from the rear: http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/DSCF0003s.jpg http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/DSCF0005s.jpg As for the front, if you have ever done a WRX its the exact same, very simple. I jacked up the car from the side front jack points, then put stands near the control arms, there are two black bolts, and I put the jack on one of those. Then you unscrew the top three bolts inside the engine bay, but leave one on a little so it doesn't fall out. Then go under neath and get the other two bolts at the bottom of the suspension. I marked the camber bolt with a dry marker and on the hub, so I knew the alignment would be pretty much the same when I installed it all again. http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/DSCF0009s.jpg Slide out the old strut, then slide the new one in. It helps if you have two people here so one can hold it from the bottom and the person at the top can attach the three top nuts. Then tighten up the bottom and it should look something like this http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/DSCF0011s.jpg Oh yeah, I really wasn't sure what the TQ specs were for the suspension, so I just went to 120 ft/lbs on the bottom 2 bolts. Only do about 15-17 ft/lbs up top or you will break the studs. http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/DSCF0010s.jpg Finally once everything is back together it will look something like this http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/DSCF0012s.jpg http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/DSCF0013s.jpg Overall it was a lot easier then I expected, only took about 2 hours which isn't bad. I would say its about a level 2 out of 5 on the scale of modding a Subaru. Driving Impressions: First thoughts were, wow this doesn't feel any different. The ride quality really didn't change at all, maybe a little firmer when driving in a straight line, but I would bet 100 bucks a normal person would never ever tell the difference between a USDM GT suspension and a JDM GT suspension. In the turns the car feels a little more neutral, the car feels a little flatter too. It is very predictable, and can deffinetly push past the limits of the stock suspension. A little roll was taken out, as well as some of the looseness from the stock suspension. I would like to have more roll removed, which is why I plan to get some sway bars soon. Overall if your looking for a little better handling with little to no sacrifice to ride quality this is it. I really don't see why Subaru didn't sell the car like this in America, except maybe to cut costs or to keep the good stuff in Japan like they usually do. As for ride height, their wasn't much of a change, maybe 1/2 an inch, can deffinetly tell in the rear, and a little up front maybe. I am really curious to feel a Spec B suspension now though, from all the things I have heard it would seem to me it must be a big difference between a JDM GT setup and a Spec B setup, as this one really isn't harsh at all. Anyways, here are some more pictures. Don't know how much if at all the suspension will go down since I just put it on, I will take some more pictures in a week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanoswrx Posted January 30, 2005 Author Share Posted January 30, 2005 This picture shows the old on top and the new on the bottom, from what I can tell the driver side seemed a little lower, the passenger side might go down a little in time. http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/Comparison.jpg http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/CRW_1787s.jpg http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/CRW_1788s.jpg http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/CRW_1789s.jpg http://filebox.vt.edu/users/brutkows/legacy/Suspension/CRW_1791s.jpg Thats it, if you got any questions let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerdave Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 Looks great, and nice write up. Any idea what the spring rate difference between the USDM GT and JDM GT? Also, are you going to consider Pink springs with the Bilsteins? All in all, I agree... we should've gotten that setup stock on USDM GTs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC GT Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 I agree, nice pix. I'm guessing in a week they'll settle in and the difference will be a little more pronounced. That's my guess at least. They look good. Should show more "flash of yellow through the spokes" shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opie Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 Great review of another availible suspension option. I would also guess that they'll settle in after a bit and be more pronounced! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanoswrx Posted January 30, 2005 Author Share Posted January 30, 2005 I may consider STI Pink springs, or maybe going with the take off Spec B suspension setup. Right now though I will stick with this, get the sways on, auto-x it, then decide if I want more. I am not sure what the spring rate difference is, unfortunetly their isn't much information out about these. I'll try to take some better pictures when I get a chance, right now its snowing and I don't feel like getting my camera wet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGT Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 subscribing to hear your thoughts after some prolonged use..... Nice job. Looks great. -Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Wow, looks great! Any drop with the GT springs at all? (edit: I can read, I see that you said there was a little drop now. Oops!) I kinda "helped" rclark0032 install his blisteins this weekend with pink springs. Anyways, FWIW, the top requires 22.4ft/lbs and the bottom is 118ft/lbs, so you were pretty darn close. I know the service manual is still out there if you ever need more information... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxerGT2.5 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Wow, looks great! Any drop with the GT springs at all? I kinda "helped" rclark0032 install his blisteins this weekend with pink springs. Anyways, FWIW, the top requires 22.4ft/lbs and the bottom is 118ft/lbs, so you were pretty darn close. I know the service manual is still out there if you ever need more information... This was the weekend of the bilsteins. Jesus, anyone else pop these suckers on over the weekend?? OBAMA......One Big Ass Mistake America! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGT Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I would be interested to hear how the ride height is affected by each of the setups. I would like to go with the Spec B and pinks combo, but my lip spolier is already 1/2" from scraping on the driveway so lower isn't aways better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanoswrx Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 I think the drop was minimal, maybe 1/2 inch all around, can deffinetly tell there was some drop in the rear, a little harder to tell up front, but I think their was a little drop there. Probably could have used another 1/2 inch up front in my mind. I'll take some more pics in a few days and give some more comments then when I drive around with it some more. But just a small update, I am starting to feel the difference in the suspension a little more as I drive around, its really hard to say how a suspension feels as everyone has different opinions of what is hard and what is soft. In my mind this suspension is just a tad harder then stock, something no normal person would feel, but most enthusiasts would, but handling is very nice and linear. I like the suspension more and more as I drive it more and learn what it's capable of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxerGT2.5 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Give it a few days to settle in. Then you'll get the full feel of what it will be. OBAMA......One Big Ass Mistake America! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanoswrx Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 Just wanted to give an update on ride height, on day two thease are the measurements from the ground to the fender: Front ~ 67.5 cm Rear ~ 66.5 cm I was looking at this post where "fastgascar" installed STI pinks, it looks to me that his measurements for the STI pinks where around this: Front ~ 64.5 cm Rear ~ 65.5 cm His stock numbers were: Front ~ 67.5 cm Rear ~ 66.5 cm So really the JDM LGT 2.0 Bilsteins don't lower the car at all. Judging from pictures I recieved from rclark0032 who has the JDM GT Bilsteins and STI pinks, they drop the car around 1/2 inch to maybe 3/4 inch more then my setup. Maybe I will have to get some STI Pinks one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerdave Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Thanks. I'm not sure simply dropping it will help that much, but a little more spring and some more aggressive damping certainly will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rc0032 Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 Kanoswrx have you been in for an alignment yet? I went for mine yesterday and the Caster is way out of stock specs. 6° Left and 5.8° right. Im thinking this is what caused part of my drop. Also what do you think of the ride quality of the JDM GT set up? What’s your longer term impression? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanoswrx Posted February 3, 2005 Author Share Posted February 3, 2005 I haven't gone in for an alignment yet, I marked the camber bolts so they would be at the right camber when I put everything back together again. Its not perfect but i think its good enough until I get the time for a real alignment. Usually when you lower a car camber changes (you get more negative camber) not caster. As for driving impressions so far, its gotten a little stiffer then I first thought. Most normal people probably wouldn't feel much of a difference if any though. I deffinetly feel bumps in the road a bit more. I actually think its just about right for me now, before I thought it was a little soft, but it seems like it stiffened up some in the past couple days. So ride quality is very nice and gives you a performance feel, makes me want to drive the car even more now As for handling you deffinetly feel the difference, turn in is quick, and is much flatter in the turn. The car has more oversteer now and you can easily get the backend to come out. I am pretty amazed by how quick I can get the car to turn, its very sharp now. I think with some added sway bars it would be the perfect setup for me as they would give the car a more solid feel and help reduce roll more. I can't wait to thow on my Spec B wheels with summer tires this spring and see what the car can really do. I'll probably wait until then to get my alignment, and I should have the sway bars on then too. Then I will get a performance alignment and try to get as much negative camber as I can upfront with the stock bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rc0032 Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 I got my alignment at Firestone yesterday. They are having a life time alignment sale for $130. It was a great experience, the guy let me in the bay right next to the car the whole time. He even explained what he was doing and why. He was a real car nut!! Take the stock specks with you because they don’t have them yet. He also got my steering wheel to be dead on straight!! I know a few people have complained about this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unilat Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 As for driving impressions so far, its gotten a little stiffer then I first thought. Most normal people probably wouldn't feel much of a difference if any though. I deffinetly feel bumps in the road a bit more. I actually think its just about right for me now, before I thought it was a little soft, but it seems like it stiffened up some in the past couple days. Just curious since the car has stiffened up as it settled - has the ride height also changed (from your 1/31 post)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdmpartstx Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Nice writeup... glad you're enjoying them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanoswrx Posted February 4, 2005 Author Share Posted February 4, 2005 Just went outside to re-measure the ride height. Here it is: Front ~ 67 cm Rear ~ 66 cm Looks like it settled just a little more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Aren't the Blistens on the JDM GT and the JDM Spec-B the same less the spring rates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opie Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Aren't the Blistens on the JDM GT and the JDM Spec-B the same less the spring rates? Nope, different part numbers... http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7871 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Nope, different part numbers... http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7871 Oh. cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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