WRX STi set for XT6 / EJ-XT?

[Bram_R]

It's been some time, but hereby some pics of the shocks mounted on the car.

The large top hat sits quite close to the body, but doesn't touch anything.
First fitment without the spring, then mounted the spring and set the car on it's wheels.
Have to see about the rideheight now. Come back to that later.








And the rears:

Shortented the width of the lower mount to 45mm.



Then mounted my extented top mount thing and trial fitted on the car:



Then installing the springs. I still got the original STi springs, but not the STi top hat/mount. So used the Leone top hat and spring for now.
It's got a bit smaller diameter than the STi spring, so on the lower hat it doens't fall in to the spring 'groove', but I'm sure it will work for now.
The 2008 STi got an integrated top hat/top mount, so can't order a seperate top hat I think.



and now mounted on the car. Top mount is not flipped here. Have to see about the ride height and if I'm going to flip the mount or modify the spring/buy a shorter spring.


Gr. Bram

[Metzenw]

Man this thread makes me want to start on my 5 lug conversion with impress struts and legacy Turbo front brakes. Awesome write up man. I love seeing what people do with these cars when there are no aftermarket options.

[Myxalplyx]

Still considering selling this modification? A short run of these?

[Bram_R]

Still considering selling this modification? A short run of these?

I've just made my first miles one these. Let me first test them out a bit to see if my engineering work is all that

I can post a drawing of the part I made though. I already have a dxf of it.

gr. Bram

[ironhydroxide]

interested in the .dxf if you wouldnt mind sharing.

[Huck369]

interested in the .dxf if you wouldnt mind sharing.

As am I......

[ironhydroxide]

IN Fact, My Dad just picked up a Lathe..... (sadly not CNC) BUT still enough for the job. I may be able to make these for a fair price here in the US.

[Myxalplyx]

IN Fact, My Dad just picked up a Lathe..... (sadly not CNC) BUT still enough for the job. I may be able to make these for a fair price here in the US.

This is starting to sound better and better.

[Bram_R]

I didn't have access to the dxf file, but this works just as well for this application, drawing of the extension attached.
The dutch word 'afplatten' is for the flat side on the top so you can put a bahco on it to counter the torque when tightening that top nut.
See page 2 for some pics of the finished product.



Btw, for the front you don´t need that fabrication and welding I did when you choose a ´normal´ WRX set. Only from I thought 2005 and up, they enlarged the distance between the camberbolts. So make you life a bit easier and go for a pre 2005 set.

I like the set for now. Stance is ok, may be an inch lower, but with 16` wheels it will work out pretty good. Handling and cornering also a lot better now. Sporty and solid, but not rock hard as some Taiwan shock sets.
I got some squeeks from the shocks though, see if there some bushing twisted or something toughing something.

Anyway, hope you got benefit of this set. I think it would work as well on Legacy III and IV sets which may be a little more available in the junkyard.

Gr. Bram

[ironhydroxide]

Bump for updates

[Bram_R]

Bump for updates

Well, I don't use the XT a lot, but I like the set for it's damping and spring characteristics.
Of course it's firm, but not hard as a rock as some of the (asian) aftermarket sets seem to be. Feels like a well balanced oem set, which of course it is (2008 WRX STi).
The rear may need a little lighter spring rate however, feeling how it goes over speed bumps. On corners and rough roads it's pretty good.

In the next weeks, I'll start with some to-do things on the XT, will also have a close look at the shocks as well. Maybe see if I can fit the STi springs in the rear.

But for others I can up to this point recommend this set as a very nice and cheap set which fits on the XT with EJ front knuckles.
This means late model WRX-STi and Legacy III/IV (?) can make good donors for a shock set.

Bram

[ironhydroxide]

OK, exactly what I wanted to know...

i'll be making these adapters here soon.... and if people want to buy some off me... well then i'm willing to sell (i also have 2 sets of WRX struts that i will be modifying)

[Bram_R]

Today I had my XT on a lift and found out the STi shocks do a little scuffing against the body.

For the rear I grinded a little of the lower-hat (which has plenty room as there are 2,5" springs on there. I'm not sure if the original STi springs will fit there, I think they will come in contact with the body. Anyway, using the Leone or other 2,5" spring makes a better option for top hat/mount and choice of springs.
For the front a small tap with a hammer is all it takes to clean the spring from the body upon compression. Just slight scuffing there.

Gr. bram

[Bram_R]

Here are some pics of the process:

On the rear shocks, grind some of the lower hat, otherwise this will contact your body upon compression of the shock.

On the front, there was some minor scuffing.
For a moment I thought about hammering the fender a little, but of course that's not a nice solution.
So I made some cuts in the lower hat, with a hammer tapped the ridge inside and welded the cuts. With some paint all looks nice again



I only may have some minor rubbing against that plastic inner fender on the front, have to look into that.

Bram