phenryiv1 Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 I have always hated how the 5MT version of the 2.5i looked nose-high, but I did not want to lose too much suspension travel and ride comfort just to close the gap. While better handling is a huge plus, I was worried that I woudl unbalance the car by lowering and stiffening the front of the car while leaving the rear stock. After almost a year of the parts sitting in the shop waiting to be installed, I got bored this weekend and installed GT front struts/tophats and Tein H-Tech front springs on my 2.5i. The rear is currently stock. I bought a set of full GT struts, springs, tophats, etc. over the last year, and got the Tein fronts from someone who went with S-Tech fronts and H-tech rears on their LGT. All-in-all, I don't have much $$$ in this setup. I also took the time to install my new (to me) Rota SDRs and BFG KDWs (215-45-17). Before: http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/AutoX%20May%202/AutoXMay2041.jpg After (different day, but same location): http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/Lowered070409003.jpg http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/Lowered070409001.jpg Wheel gaps: http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/Lowered070409005.jpg http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/Lowered070409004.jpg Impressions are good. My wife drove the car and said that the ride is still good, but that the tire noise is obnoxious (it is), but even shen admitted that it is a trade for the improved handling. Having had H-Techs on other cars in the past, the ride is about what I expected, save for the buzz from the tires. Handlling is a lot better, but I don't know for sure how much is the springs/struts, and how much is the tires. The wheel gap looks a little weird, since the overall wheel diameter is a little smaller on the 215/45s versus the 205/50s that we have stock. If I keep these on, I suppose I will get used to it, but I would prefer a 225/45 for daily use. These are supposed to be my AutoX wheels/tires, but I like the looks of the SDRs so much that I want to keep them on the car full time. Maybe I just need to buy a second set to drive daily... I might go back to stock wheels/tires after I run at the track this weekend. If so, I will post more pictures and impressions. Long-term, I would like to go with SpecB rear springs (for increased rates and a 1/2" drop), and Konis. I have some stock GT springs and struts that I could put on, but it seems like a lot of work just to get the GT struts on the car. The dilemma here is that I want to start saving up for another track car, so dropping ~$600 on Konis (and possibly more $$$ on daily-driving rims) seems somewhat dumb. If the stock wheels were not so heavy, I'd swap the tires and run the stockers on the track and the SDRs for daily use. Patrick Looking for spacers or adapters to install aftermarket speakers in the doors of your Legacy? CLICK HERE or PM me! http://www.carstereoadapters.com./ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phenryiv1 Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 One more thing: Pic of same car, before lowering, but with a different set of SDRs, this set wearing 225/45/17s. http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/AutoX%20May%202/AutoXMay2013.jpg Patrick Looking for spacers or adapters to install aftermarket speakers in the doors of your Legacy? CLICK HERE or PM me! http://www.carstereoadapters.com./ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iyalla Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 I hate the fact that all Japanese cars come looking like that from factory. Nice job There really is no ride difference, are you sure?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katalyst Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 seems like it evens things out a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phenryiv1 Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 There really is no ride difference, are you sure?? If there is a ride difference, it is not apparent. My wife is relatively aware of what mods I have, and her comments were pretty similar to mine: the SDRs look great, the TPMS light is annoying, the handling is tighter, there is less body roll, and the ride is ever-so-slightly more firm, but not at all stiff or rough. Much (at least some) of the ride change could be attributed to the tires, too. Patrick Looking for spacers or adapters to install aftermarket speakers in the doors of your Legacy? CLICK HERE or PM me! http://www.carstereoadapters.com./ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phenryiv1 Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 I hate the fact that all Japanese cars come looking like that from factory. seems like it evens things out a bit The Legacy looks a bit nose-high from the factory, particularly with a manual transmission. All that the lowering did was bring it sown to where a sport sedan should have been right off of the showroom floor. Since most buyers value comfort over handling (with few even NOTICING the wheel gap when considering appearannce), manufacturers err on the side of comfort...plus, making one set of springs for ATs and MTs is cheaper, even if MT cars weigh less, making the nose float. Also, as a buddy with a WRX pointed out, the rally heritage leads to more travel, which means more wheel gap than what looks good to a street driver. All that I did was fix Subaru's oversight. It took an hour and the cost was reasonable, given the benefit. Worth it to me. Nice job Thanks! I like it. Patrick Looking for spacers or adapters to install aftermarket speakers in the doors of your Legacy? CLICK HERE or PM me! http://www.carstereoadapters.com./ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phenryiv1 Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 Update: Put stock wheels/tires back on until the next AutoX. http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/Lowered071109.jpg Patrick Looking for spacers or adapters to install aftermarket speakers in the doors of your Legacy? CLICK HERE or PM me! http://www.carstereoadapters.com./ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEE-OTTO Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I myself am looking for some newer springs and struts so you used H Techs? What is the difference btwn H and S techs? if you know ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phenryiv1 Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Spring height and stiffness. The H-techs are slightly higher and softer. Patrick Looking for spacers or adapters to install aftermarket speakers in the doors of your Legacy? CLICK HERE or PM me! http://www.carstereoadapters.com./ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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