I want my new Legacy to look like

[wesel123]

This (not the two tone color the ride height)



I've scraped the nose three time now in the two weeks I've had it. I'm thinking of finding the springs and struts from an Outback.

Any thoughts??

This is mine.

[Pedro]

can you host the picture somewhere else? I can't hit the link.

[Patman]

Treat the front bumper as sacrificial and eventually replace with an outback one which has a little better approach angle.

Also since it's strut all the way around, how about fabbing up some simple spacers, to raise it up 40mm or so (assuming there is enough alignment range to stay within spec), then bigger tires....lower gears....lockers....NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[Owyhee H]

I would think of it as sacrificial as well, you would be surprised how much difference that lower valence makes on your mileage. Scratching the bottom edge shouldn't be obvious.

[Pedro]

the springs and struts from an outback will transfer directly into your car without too much trouble. you can also use the nose from a same year outback. as it is supposedly using the same fenders still. but I am not sure if the bumper will gain you anything other than a less noticible scratch.

[wesel123]

Treat the front bumper as sacrificial and eventually replace with an outback one which has a little better approach angle.

Also since it's strut all the way around, how about fabbing up some simple spacers, to raise it up 40mm or so (assuming there is enough alignment range to stay within spec), then bigger tires....lower gears....lockers....NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

LOL mmmm lockers....

There are a few companies that fab spacers for the Outback. I was thinking that but then thought would the Outback struts have a tad more travel (since they are taller)?????

[Herbie]

Learn this ASAP and you'll be happy for a long time: Subarus are the ultimate "Lego" car - just about everything from one will bolt on to another (with a few exceptions and occasionally a few tweaks or swearing).

I'm running '06 WRX TR brakes (4-piston front, 2-piston rear) on my '02 WRX wagon. I've also got '05 STi seats (w/ Airbags), and a few other interior bits.

I'm also running '04 Outback Sport (Impreza) springs for a small lift. The one adaptation I had to make was to switch to '04+ top-hats as the springs are slightly differently shaped. This change then dictated '04+ struts or a small adapter spacer on my 02 struts. I opted for the spacer. If I'd switched to newer struts I would have sold my 02 struts to the Forester guys because they're coveted as "lowering" strut for certain year ranges.

So, to answer your call for thoughts: Stick with the same model year (or at least body/suspension generation) and it should be a bolt-on swap. Expect a small lift, as the Impreza vs. Outback Sport difference was only like 1/2", and I think the Legacy vs. Outback difference is similar.

A strut spacer as someone else mentioned will give you more body lift at the expense of further loss of droop in the suspension, which is probably fine within limits. Skid plates, etc. should be the same.

[Patman]

A strut spacer as someone else mentioned will give you more body lift at the expense of further loss of droop in the suspension, which is probably fine within limits. Skid plates, etc. should be the same.

Assuming (we all know how that goes) the top of the "shock" part of the strut does not mount independantly of the spring seat, a properly engineered spacer lift, will simply move the available travel away from the body by the spacer amount. This is also assuming there is enough ball joint and CV travel to use the available travel at the new ride height. You neither loose or gain anything but more clearance, and a slightly higher CG.

[Herbie]

Assuming (we all know how that goes) the top of the "shock" part of the strut does not mount independantly of the spring seat, a properly engineered spacer lift, will simply move the available travel away from the body by the spacer amount. This is also assuming there is enough ball joint and CV travel to use the available travel at the new ride height. You neither loose or gain anything but more clearance, and a slightly higher CG.

You're right, I was trying to leave a message fast and didn't get my thoughts in order. The longer/stiffer springs will cost you a little droop since you're basically starting with the suspension less compressed relative to the strut top. (It's a conventional spring hat/strut mount arrangement). The body/strut lift only costs you increased CV angles, etc.

I'm not positive, but I believe at various points in the life of the Outback, there were also bigger subframe bushings or other spacers that kept the CV angles more conservative while keeping the body looking high. Even if such things weren't available, they'd be an easy fab and would be worth looking into if you really wanted more of a lifted look.

Beyond all of that, look seriously at what tires you really want/need to run. The Forester guys get an amazing amount of tire stuffed into their wheel wells with little or no lifting. The limiting factor seems to be that too-wide of a tire will interfere on struts, etc., so if you can find taller/skinnier tires you can add lots diameter with less of a penalty.

What brakes are on your Legacy? That will dictate some things too. The 4-pot calipers usually require a 17" wheel (although a select few 16" wheels will fit), if you have the smaller 2-pot brakes you might even be able to go to a 15" rally wheel which will give you a lot of interesting tire choices.

[Pedro]

the GrpN 4pots will fit under 15" rally wheels. They are expensive, but worth it if you have a need for that much sidewall (that is what I have on my 06 WRX).

You can also fit most 16" wheels over those brakes too. Just check fittment on tirerack.com for the 2006 or 2007 wrx. The brakes are expensive though.

Disregard all of the above if you were talking about the Brembo 4pots from the STi.