I think I did it again. I bought something that I'm not sure will fit my car. I know, I'm a dumb a$$ but I got excited. Anyway, my question is this. I just bought this: 02-03 IMPREZA WRX STI J-SPEC REAR STRUT BAR and I want to know if it will fit my Wagon? I know I don't live in Hawaii anymore, but your forum is the best I've seen. People actually respond here... with helpful information to boot!
Another, off topic question, is this. How hard is it to install the Kartboy shortshifter? I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I am compitent with directions. Just curious.

Jay
(previously Jay Hollingworth before I-club went down)

 

You see that. Just what I said, you responded (more then one even!) and it was useful information. I'm glad I can handle the short shifter by myself. I would feel silly if it was easy, and still had someone do it for me. The strut bar, as I'm reading this, shouldn't be hard at all. The only other question I could even think of is are the bolts that I would use for mounting torqued to any specific poundage? Is that even a word? lol. Helpful information for this question is yes, I still have stock shocks. I intend on getting the tein coilovers if I can afford them.
Thanks for the help everyone.
Jay

 

I have the STI Rear Strut bar on my wagon. You have to get the STI for the wagon and not the sedan. Bought mine at japanparts.com and the install was a piece of cake. I did have to make 2 line cuts on my strut covers though.

Rie

 

For some reason I thought this thing went on the bottom of the car. Oops. lol. I was going to get one for the front end, but I'd also like to get a bigger top mount intercooler. If I do one, and I can't have the other. Heck, my blow off valve won't fit with the MRT top mount. I have a window of opportunity here... this guy I just met blew up his WRX with 25lbs of boost. (spiked due to bad install on boost controller) Now I can get an up pipe, Pro drive 18's, MRT top mount, among other goodies. I just have to scrounge up the $$.
Thanks for everyone's help. I'm nervous about cutting into the covers, but I guess I'll see what I need to do when it gets here.
Jay

 

No Problem...

If you are going to use the upper rear STI strut installation for the wagon, this is the best way to make the cut on those covers without messing up.

First, make zerox copies of the overlays included in the STI Strut Rears.

Second, cut them to size and paste over the actual Strut Covers once removed from the wagon.

Third, get a strong pair of utility scissors (not those damn cheap craft scissors) and gently cut according to the pattern.

Fourth, (for you artists) use a dremmel and smooth out your cover cuts with the grinding bit to make it smooth and even, but don't go overboard.

If you mess up... You could always order the strut covers from subaruparts.com again.

Cheers,

Rie.

 

I am no longer on the island. I moved to San Diego about 4 months ago. I do have a mean BOV though. lol. TurboXS RFL lol. I can't put the top mount MRT on with it. They won't fit together. Oh well.

Thanks for the info on the cut sequence. Just curious, and this may make me sound dumb.... the 14.5 lbs for torque... is that foot lbs or inch lbs?

Thanks again
Jay

 

Man...

Don't worry about Torque too much. It's just a strut bar.

Just don't overtighten, because the bolt may break. Use

the rachet until it's tight, that it can be loosened when

you need to remove the bar.

Cheers,

Rie