LGT Wagon Suspension swapped into Outback XT

[Impatient]

So, let's say I convert 09 Outback suspension to Legacy. Has anyone compared Bilstein HD to stock Legacy strut dimensions? If even lower: no go. If Bilstein strut is longer: extra points.

 

Personally I would like 1" lowering from stock Outback, and having full Outback travel minus 1". In other words, if I give up 1" of ride height, I want to give up only 1" of travel.

 

I think Bimmer also asked for splitting the difference on travel. Having $2500 for a BTS kit burning a hole in my pocket would solve everything (except sway & uneven caster on my OB). OK. maybe $3000???? Can't do it. But Bilstein HD's and SOME springs and a few odds and ends, might be possible.

 

PS, is this the thread to watch on Legacy struts for Outback, or is there another?

[BAC5.2]

The bilsteins are the same dimensions as the stock struts. The Spec-B top hats add 5/8" up front and stock spec-b springs are shorter by this much to compensate. At least that's what I've been able to get together.

 

Supposedly, the Bilstein HD's have the same amount of travel as the stock struts for the Legacy sedan/wagon. Looking at Duffman's pictures, it looks like the ride height difference is ALL in perch height, so the travel of an Outback strut is going to be the same as a Legacy strut, just slightly higher.

 

OutbackXT05 - I was wondering the same thing, but ended up just ordering some SpecB rear top hats, just in case.

 

My goal is, like Duffman, to be at stock LGT Wagon wheel gap.

[Duffman]

I don't think I'm at stock LGT wheel gap. I haven't really been able to compare next to a LGT wagon though. I believe it's due to the subframe spacers that the Outback has.

 

I don't mind a little extra clearance though.

[dschultz]

Here's how you'd know...

[lgtftw]

So I'm going to get rid of my 05 LGT and keep my 07 OBK XT. I think I'm going to run 225/45/17 with 17x8 wheels on it (I know, they're not spec). I'm also going to try to put either h-techs or swift springs on it. Do you guys think this will bring it down to Legacy wagon height or lower?

[dschultz]

FWIW, I run 245/45/18 on 18x7.5 wheels with no issues at the lowered height of 15.5" on BC Racing coilovers.

[lgtftw]

Got a picture? I just talked to one of my friends that is running 215/40/17 on his outback and he says that it's about 5mph off on his speedometer.

[Scooby2.5]

245/45/18 is exact same diameter as stock XT wheels so speedo is not off.

Look up a wheel size comparison calculator on google and you can calculate it.

[dschultz]

Please ignore the dirt...

 

As mentioned 245/45/18. The speedo is off by +0.5mph according to my GPS.

 

Pictures:

Front and rear wheel shots for spacing. OBXT riding on BC Racing LGT spec coilovers. Wheels are 18x7.5 +48offset and tires are 245/45-18, nothing rubs.

Edited July 17, 2013 by dschultz
add description

[OhBe1]

Back tot the alignment - #40 - Camber went in the wrong direction, and toe is better, but uneven. Edited September 4, 2010 by OhBe1
Lack of sufficient coffee...

[OutbackXT05]

Well i finally got around to doing this conversion myself and i must say MAJOR PITA when everything is all nice and rusted. I Was also mising the top part that the front springs rest on so i had to steal that from the outbacks coil overs. I love the look now but i have a few minor issues with it. The smallest issue is that the front drivers tires rubs ever so slightly at low speed when turning right. IT nothing huge just makes a light squeeky noise. Another thing is that the drivers side of the car sits lower than the passanger car. I dont know if thats the way its supposed to be or not but eh. I did notice that the ride seems quite a bit stiffer though. I like it but wouldve liked it more if it was alot smoother. And lastly which is my biggest concern to fix is that going over rougher terrain/bumbs and what not at higher speeds the car seems to move side to side. following a path like this. --_--_--_-- moves side to side. What would i need to fix that? a new sway bar? But overall Im very pleased with it. Looks and handles sooooo much better

[BAC5.2]

Did you align the car?

[lgtftw]

Pics?

[Duffman]

I was wondering that as well BAC. While my front tires are quite close to the struts, I have no rubbing issues.

 

Also, what size tires do you have?

[OutbackXT05]

I didnt get the car aligned quite yet. And ill snap some pics today. The tires are the stock outback size. And like i said with the rubbing its so little of a rub i almost dont even care about it. The only time it does it is wen im hardly moving and turn my wheel to the right when i park. Thats the only time it does it

[seabass07]

Does anyone have any insight as to how this setup will work on snow/ice compared to the stock xt suspension?

 

I want to improve the dry handling because it is horrid, but I will soon be doing the majority of my driving in constant rain/ice/snow. I'm concerned that switching to the spec B legacy suspension or the legacy bilstein setup will make it worse in the snow or mild offroad driving.

 

Any personal experience with these scenarios here?

[OutbackXT05]

Ok well heres some pics of the car now. Ill get better ones tomarrow

[OutbackXT05]

Sorry i didnt throw a before pic up there but heres one now and then also the wheel gap that I have on the wheel that rubs. And looking at the old before pics I dont even remember it looking that lifted lol. It looks rediculous before now looking at it lowered.

Edited September 2, 2010 by OutbackXT05

[BAC5.2]

I didnt get the car aligned quite yet.

 

200% of your problem, right there. Get the car aligned, then see what you think.

[BAC5.2]

Does anyone have any insight as to how this setup will work on snow/ice compared to the stock xt suspension?

 

I want to improve the dry handling because it is horrid, but I will soon be doing the majority of my driving in constant rain/ice/snow. I'm concerned that switching to the spec B legacy suspension or the legacy bilstein setup will make it worse in the snow or mild offroad driving.

 

Any personal experience with these scenarios here?

 

I drove my extra-lowered Outback through the worst blizzard that we've seen in a decade. No problem at all.

[SubOperator]

Does anyone have any insight as to how this setup will work on snow/ice compared to the stock xt suspension?

 

I want to improve the dry handling because it is horrid, but I will soon be doing the majority of my driving in constant rain/ice/snow. I'm concerned that switching to the spec B legacy suspension or the legacy bilstein setup will make it worse in the snow or mild offroad driving.

 

Any personal experience with these scenarios here?

 

FWIW, my LGT wagon is on pinks + bilstein which drops it about 1/2 inch compared to stock LGT wagon suspension. No problems through New England winters, and I live in woods where they plow when they can get to it I do have dedicated winter wheel + tire set though.

[seabass07]

Good to know! I will likely go with the bilstein setup. I'm moving to the Seattle area and have absolutely no snow/ice driving experience, so I want to make sure I'm not hurting handling in severe conditions by doing the swap.

 

My wheel gap is disturbing, so I would rather go with a legacy setup than search for an OB setup. I see no reason to keep the ride height for my usage. I chose the OBXT because of the deal I got on it, not the ride height. I would have gladly gotten a Legacy GT wagon.

 

Any spring recommendations with the bilsteins for keeping it comfortable on the road with lots of grip? It can't be harsh at all as it's my daily driver/children transporter.

[OutbackXT05]

So I went to sears because my mom had some stuff she wanted to do there while I got the alignment done. And all I have to say is wow. 3 Hours just for them to tell me that they cant do my alignment because my bolts are too rusted in. And now both my tires rub and the drivers side one rubs worse. So whats the best place you guys have been to for an alignment? I knew sears was going to be sub par but not that bad

[seabass07]

I had them do an alignment on my former mini. I went in with it veering slightly left and eating tires. I left with it veering twice as much, but to the right. When I went back to have them fix it, they ended up putting it back to it's original left veering state. I gave up and went to a tire shop.

[OutbackXT05]

Ya i know im never going to sears again for any car work. Both my wheels rub now and the drivers side is worse. The car doesnt veer worse that it did before. It goes to the right ever so slightly. But another thing that bugs me is my steering wheel is off center now. So to a good tire shop i guess. Any idea on an awsome one?