hey i have a question, if u get shocks for a 02-03 wrx sedan for a 04-05 wrx sedan, do the springs have to be for the 02-03 sedan as well? or can u use 04-05 springs

 

anyone?

 

It will work but you will need to add a washer to the rear strut top or you will have clunking problems. I just did a Koni GC install on my 02 WRX and I was sent the wrong rear group N tops (04s) so I went out and bought some grade 8 washers with a 9/16” ID and 1 ¼ OD, grinded the OD to 1”, installed them on top and I haven’t had any problems with noise at all.

FYI, the front struts and springs are the same. The top of the rear springs are ¼” narrower on a 04, the strut shaft is different and that is why you need the washers.

edit: it will work as long as you use the 04 rear upper spring perches and add the washers.

Good luck

 

thanks for the info, what struts should i get ? oh btw how many washers do i need for each rear strut?

 

I believe KYB AGX's are the most popular and one of the only ones.

 

The KYB AGX is a nice strut but I think you would like a set of Koni’s a lot better. AFAIK the KYB’s are only 4 way adjustable, they don’t like to be lowered more than 1.5” and they won’t be as comfortable as a Koni. Koni’s will cost more and the install is more time consuming since it’s an insert. I’ve never owned a set of AGX’s but I do have a set of Koni’s and I’m extremely happy with them.

What spring do you plan on running and what year is you’re car? It sounds to me like you have a 04-05 WRX and you want to buy new struts.

 

i have tein s-techs on right now, and i was thinking of tokico just cuz i heard somewhere else that kyb's cant handle the s-tech drop

 

So you have a 04-05 WRX with 04-05 s-tech’s and you want to buy some struts? Why do you want to go with 02-03 struts on your 04-05? I’m confused.

 

I don't think Tokico makes a strut for any Subaru vehicles. AFAIK you will have to go with a coilover setup, KYB's or Koni's and I'm pretty sure the Koni's will work with the s-techs.

BTW, I did a small edit in my original post. Only the top of the rear springs are narrower on a 04-05.

 

there arent any shocks for the 04-05 i dont think, and ppl say kyb's cant handle more than 1.5 inch drop so thats why i was thinking of getting tokicos, koni's are pretty expensive too.

 

ok just to verify and make clear the fronts are fine for the 04-05 sedan so i can use 02-03 shocks and spring04-05s, but for the rears i have to use 02-03 shocks with washers and then use 04-05 springs? or do i have to use 02-03 springs as well. cuz i already have 04-05 springs

 

Sorry it took so long for me to reply, I’ve been very busy. Yes the fronts will work with no modifications and you can run 02-03 (V7) struts with 04-05 (V8) springs and tops as long as you add a washer to the rear strut top. Here is a good link that discusses the problems with running V7 struts with V8 springs and tops and how to make it work http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563382. Some people add a washer under the top and some add the washer on top like I did. IMO adding the washer on top should be better since the washer will not take near as much abuse there.

Good luck
Joe

 

hey thanks for the info and link, better late than never. and my other friend has tokico struts for the 02-03 sedan on his 05, thats why i was thinking of getting those, hopefully they can take the drop.

 

the link is saying not to use 04-05 springs on the o2-03 struts at all, would a washer totally fix the problem?

 

You need to read the whole thread. Originally the poster thought you couldn't do it but after some people mentioned the washer trick he realized it is possible to mix the 2.

Good luck on the install.