Mixing Forester suspensions.

[matt167]

I decided to finally jump in both feet with my '01 Forester and make the STI conversion happen. Friend with the WRX is pushing me too.. Have the EJ205/ 5spd that came out of a JDM Spec WRX Wagon or possibly a Type "M" STI Forester since only the type "M" was 5spd. Have an STI front cut and will soon have an STI or S/TB rear hatch with the wing so about 90% STI visually

 

Just ordered a brand new WRX/FXT crossmember from Partsouq. List was $186 so even with shipping, it's cheaper than SOA list price of $413.. I'm in at $299 shipped. I didn't want a crossmember from a wreck and places that had good crossmembers did not want to ship and the shipping cost they threw out was more than new cost..

 

I know that the FXT just used regular SG Forester A arms, but I think I want the Cast Aluminum STI arms since they are somewhat inexpensive. What do I do for struts on the front end? Do I go fully SG Forester up front? Do I simply order a sway bar and brackets for a Forester XT? I'm not going to do anything exotic with the brakes. Probably just new calipers, painted Red or gold with decent rotors and pads. Possibly 6cyl front brakes

 

 

[dfoyl]

You know STI struts have different spacing for the hub/knuckle than non-STI ? So are you going full STI brakes with the STI knuckle and then STI struts, or all non-STI ? And early STI (5x100 PCD) or later (5x114), in which case what are you doing for the rears ?

 

If you're going with the not-too-exotic option I'd stick with non-STI and go WRX 4-pots (or the later WRX 2-pots) and matching 2-pots on the rear. If you already have STI struts you can modify (elongate) them to fit non-STI knuckles.

[matt167]

Sorry, I should have specified. I'm talking about Forester STI which never came to the USA or outside of Japan and is different than WRX STI. They are pretty standard Non STI as far as fitment goes. The only parts I'm thinking about that would even be an STI specific part is the cast aluminum A arms which should fit just like the steel ones.. Brakes I'll likely just do H6 brakes which will bolt on, and use the same calipers as 2004-2005 WRX just with a different mount and rotor. Paint Calipers red or gold and call it good.. Rears will be good rebuilt stock disc brakes.