Sti Pink BR Legacy Springs

Edit for updated links, etc.

 

I. Springs on STI japan's webpage for reference--

 

.Front https://www.sti.jp/parts/legacytouringwagon_br/suspension/ST20330EZ000/

.Rear https://www.sti.jp/parts/legacytouringwagon_br/suspension/ST20380EZ010/

 

II. Fitment

 

.A. Basic Requirements

..1. 5th Gen Subaru Legacy Wagon (and Outback for height drop)

..2. Front BM/BR 6MT-specific application, Rear BR Wagon-specific application

..3. Matched dampers/struts. Outback OEM will not work. Legacy OEM will have you prairie doggin' everywhere you go (way underdamped).

..4. Tires to remain less than 27.2" in diameter/8.0" width and/or wheels with offset lower than +53. I experienced light rubbing on front lower strut perch using 235/55/17 and a +53 wheel.

 

.B. Additional parts/mods needed

..1. [for Outback users] 2012 Legacy Upper Control Arms (any 5th Gen), 20252AJ00A and 20252AJ01A, one of each.

..2. Coil spring insulators, quantity two. Part #20323AG00B.

..3. GTWorx Bilstein dampers $$$$, or rebuilt OEM/KYB's with Koni inserts $$$.

..4. Alignment. Do your homework, and know that alignment can make or break your car's performance (beware of understeer, your rear end will lift less during braking, leading to more rear grip, which may lead to plowing).

 

.C. Additional supporting mods that may be desirable

..1. -Adjustable- rear lower control arms.

...a. Whitelines for adjustability on both ends, or

...b. SPC 67660's for just inboard side adjustability via eccentric bolt/washer.

..2. Adjustable Toe arms or replacement bushings for OEM toe arm (eg. new bushings are included in SPC 67660 kit)

..3. Hubcentric spacers to accommodate larger tires or wheels with a high positive offset, but tread carefully here. I utilized a 15mm all around, and fortunately the bolts that stick out from the spacer fit perfectly within the holes in the rim.

..4. Seat time. Get to know the way the car responds to inputs. Make adjustments to alignment. Be safe.

 

III. Result

.A. Firm ride, though well controlled if paired with a good damper.

.B. One finger gap between fender and tire.

.C. Happy wagon driver.

 

 

Has anyone come across someone who put JDM pinks (designed for the BM/BR Legacy) on a USDM car? Any potential fitment issues?

 

I ask because I'm considering pairing the RCE Bilsteins with the JDM pinks.

 

My Japanese is deficient, but here you go: http://www.sti.jp/parts/catalogue/bmbr_legacy/2_1.html

 

Looks like Japanparts has these for sale, albeit with $80+ shipping. Ouch!

Edited November 8, 2017 by ToRealEyes
Updated dead links, aggregated info.

I inquired with EDO Performance. They will ask Subaru Japan on my behalf re: the springs and the combo linked below. Not a bad start.

 

These look like they're also Bilstein made - http://www.sti.jp/parts/catalogue/bmbr_legacy/spp4.html

 

Even with the favorable JPY to USD conversion, that price is serious.

you have to buy the whole assembly, there is a list of what fits what, but basically until 07 the JDM had a unique mount every year or so. the USDM spec b shocks and the generic bilstein parts use the 07+ springs, but i dont think that the sti was common then for the legacy, then it had an inverted setup in 08 i think for the limited sti run.

I should have prefaced my posts better. This will be for the 2012 outback. Are we talking about the same gen?

 

Here's some info I was able to get. "..they [sTI] are not sure if the springs KG/mm rate will match the strut they use on the US model. However as for fitment the springs will fit."

 

Next is to get the black Bilsteins from Myles.

Update. Package from Japan has arrived.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2093&pictureid=9894

Large Box

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2093&pictureid=9893

Individual Part Numbers, incl rears for Touring Wagon

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2093&pictureid=9887

All together

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2093&pictureid=9886

Exemplary front spring

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2093&pictureid=9885

Exemplary rear spring

Also tracked down a set of Bilsteins from a member on here.

 

The spring seat of one of the rear assemblies appears to be stuck onto the circlip. I've tried WD-40, light tapping with a hammer, pressing, wiggling the piece, and some hard pulling. Any tips on how to dislodge it?

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2093&pictureid=9884

 

I'd like to adjust the circlip to the highest ride height setting, like in this pic (done for the other side assembly).

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2093&pictureid=9883

Looking forward to seeing the installed pics!

As am I! I'm looking forward to the less float-y composure.

 

Anyone have tips for breaking loose the spring seat thing?

 

The spring seat of one of the rear assemblies appears to be stuck onto the circlip. I've tried WD-40, light tapping with a hammer, pressing, wiggling the piece, and some hard pulling. Any tips on how to dislodge it?

Try PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, etc. Something a littler better than WD40. The brand WD40 also makes something similar to PB Blaster and just soak the ring.

 

Continue tapping it gently. WD40 really isn't great for rusted on parts.

Edited October 29, 2014 by Rhitter

Thanks OB. I'm going to make time to go pick up some of the penetrating oil stuff.

 

On another note, I'm considering a handful of supporting parts for this suspension build.

 

Original List:

• Bilstein (GTWorx/RCE) LGT struts front and rear

• STI Pink Springs Front BM/BR 6MT application

• STI Pink Springs Rear BR Wagon Application

• Whiteline's KCA313 Bump-steer/roll-center kit

 

Items I'm considering adding:

• new self-locking nuts? Everyone appears to re-use, but service manual says everywhere to use NEW parts

• 20mm Rear Sway, Part Number: 20451VA000

• two Bushings, Part Number: 20464VA000

• SPC Performance 67660 Adjustable Camber Arm, BRZ fitment, but is rumored to fit

• SPC Performance 67655 Adjustable Toe Arm, BRZ fitment, but is rumored to fit

• Legacy upper control arm? Not sure why this would be needed, seeing how the part numbers are the same between the Legacy and Outback.

• Legacy front top mounts? Also not sure why this would be needed, seeing how the part numbers are the same between the Legacy and Outback.

i reuse my self-locking nuts, haven't see any problem yet.

i also reuse my outback top mounts, but you need legacy front top springs sit to fit the springs.

hurry up, can't wait to see how the pink sit.

Try PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, etc. Something a littler better than WD40. The brand WD40 also makes something similar to PB Blaster and just soak the ring.

 

Continue tapping it gently. WD40 really isn't great for rusted on parts.

 

Finally got it to come loose today using some Liquid Wrench penetrating oil and exercising lots of patience. Here's one to small victories!

 

Per mea902's clarification (thanks!), I've added some Legacy front upper spring seats to my shopping list. Officially called a Coil Spring Insulator, Part Number: 20323AG00B. Getting two.

 

Since I'm not really looking for -2.0 or more of negative camber, I'm hoping the rears will be addressed through the SPC pieces (lower control arm and toe arm).

 

Anyone have ideas for front? Whiteline KCA335? Camber bolts? The service manual seems to suggest that the front is much more adjustable from factory, but I'm skeptical it will be enough to compensate for the drop. Brainstorm time.

I am not sure if you have seen this user. He is one of the few who has lowered a 4th gen Outback

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4982858&postcount=1721

Yup, a nice set-up he has there. I've seen it, and it looks like he went the coilover route. I wanted to avoid coilovers as much as possible. I can't tell what supporting suspension geometry modifications he added aside from the Legacy LCA. Some other people have gone with Legacy UCA instead. I'm starting to wonder -- why not both?

Dude!!! It's a miracle I saw this thread. You would have a lot better access to info in the 5th Gen model specific forum. Most 5th Genners (BM/BR) owners don't visit the technical forums.

 

I work in Walnut Creek and we should meet up for lunch ASAP.

 

To lower your Outback with Legacy springs and shocks you will need the upper spring seats from a Legacy and the rear upper Legacy control arm. You should be all good with camber both front and rear. The front has a fair amount of adjustablility built into it, and the rear isn't too bad as long as you use the Legacy upper arms.

 

Also, if you ever want a hand with tools or some help, I can make myself available.

Sorry, just read all your posts. The rear Legacy upper control arms are necessary when you lower the Outback because they are shorter. If you lower the car and retain the Outback upper arms, you will be way out in positive camber range.

 

IMO, skip the LCA's for now and see where the camber ends up. And if you need them, go with WRX ones which may give you a little more adjustability range than the BRZ units.

Thanks for the tip! I work in downtown SF. Do you also live in WC or is it just for work? We don't have a garage, unfortunately, so that's the primary reason why I'm spending so much time getting all my pieces together.

Work in WC. Live in Brentwood. Were you going to have a shop do the install or try to do it on your own?

Wow way out in Brentwood huh. I will have a shop take care of the install and alignment. Legacy UCA, upper spring seats for front, 20mm OEM sway and bushings, and misc things should arrive this coming Friday.

Woohoo. Installed 20mm RSB and bushings in about 20 minutes. Haven't test driven yet. I should find a shop for the rest of the suspension stuff and alignment. Any suggestions?

 

Thinking of taking it to M___ Eng_____ing in Santa Clara. A bit far away and seems slightly pricey though.

Edited January 13, 2015 by ToRealEyes
keeping it neutral.

Wo, wo, wo, time out! These springs will fit LGT struts? Are they for 2004-2009, or 2009+? Those sneaky Japanese, what kind of drop are you expecting over stock springs?

Wo, wo, wo, time out! These springs will fit LGT struts? Are they for 2004-2009, or 2009+? Those sneaky Japanese, what kind of drop are you expecting over stock springs?

 

Don't get too excited, nothing sneaky here. They are for BM/BR chassis, so 2010-2014. You're talking about the BL/BP chassis.

Pink is pink ?

Carry on.

Yeah I have been all over that site now and I got it figured out. How much of a drop are you expecting?

Yup, for BM/BR, 2010-2014. The rears I got are supposedly wagon-specific. Not for our 05, which has been running a koni/epic springs setup for a good number of years now.

 

My expectations are that it'll bring our OB down a ton, but from a legacy ride height baseline, I'm thinking at least 15 mm in the front, and less than 15 mm in the rear. I'll use the circlips to address rear sag.

 

I'll take before/after pics. I heard this setup has been done before, but I've yet to find any documentation...