97 Outback Suspension Upgrades

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Feb 28, 2005 | 09:17 PM

paulpas

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Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 59

From: Chicago, IL

Car Info: 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback

97 Outback Suspension Upgrades

I have a 97 outback that is getting the motor rebuilt thanks to a belt tensionor pulley that disintegrated.

I'm getting the head ported/polished, new valved and associated parts redone, milling of the head to increase compression, maybe a 5-angle valve job, and ACT Street Cluth with lightened flyewheel. Regardless of what all I can squeeze out of the dealer for free (the mechanic is best friends w/ the father of the performance shop, so he may get a deal) I need to look for upgraded suspension components.

I don't necessarily want to lower the ride height as I take the car on questionable roads from time to time (2 weeks out of the year on mountain gravel roads in canada, and curbs

, but I want the performance from springs that lower the car. I realize there's a trade-off to be had, but what's the best option to keep next-to-stock clearance without "slamming" the outback. I knew there was some one in these forums who did a tasateful suspension upgrade and posted pics, speak up please!

Thanks.

Mar 21, 2005 | 11:14 AM

TBOAWD

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Tasteful

I have a 1998 2.5 GT and I consider my lowering sprigs to be the most tasteful and pracitical. The springs i chose are a kit by H&R it is a mild sport spring that will give you that "not stock" look W/O sacrificing much drivability, road noise or ride quality It lowers the car 1.25 in all the way around and will probably give you a 20-30% increase in cornering. All i have to say is that i love mine and it gives my car the sporty look i was after. I paid $210 for mine and has been worth every penny. Although i dont take mine offroad often i cant say ive had a whole lot of problems with bottoming out and if im not mitaken your car is lined with skidplates so i wouldnt concern yourself with injuring the car too much. But as hard as it is you may need to hold back on those everso tempting dirt roads but if your on the road 95% of the time they are well worth it. On H&Rs website they have a list of dealers.

Mar 21, 2005 | 03:15 PM

paulpas

Thread Starter

Registered User

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 59

From: Chicago, IL

Car Info: 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback

I thought that non-outback suspension upgrades wont work with an Outback due to it's different geometries.

Mar 21, 2005 | 04:19 PM

TBOAWD

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?????

i dont really know much about the outbacks but the spring type shouldnt change the geometry if by that you are refering to the camber and toe angles. I would suggest looking up the part #s at subaru for all similar suspention setups I.E. the struts and if they are the same bettween the two it shouldnt mess with anything to change springs because all you'd be doing is increasing spring rate and decreasing ride height and plus youll need to get it re-aligned anyway P.S. you wont need to worry about camer kits/bolts with these i am running stock settings (tire wear) with no camber adjusting stuff.

Mar 30, 2005 | 09:43 AM

DLC

Registered User

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 450

From: Utah

Car Info: 2000 Leg GT LTD

Performance stock-height springs don't normally exist. In your situation, the only way to improve handling would be to replace the worn struts with new ones, which should help out a lot. There may be some Australian options for springs, however. Most people with Outbacks who want performance simply swap over to a non-OB suspension and go from there.