[caveguru]

Originally Posted by sysfailur

Hrmmm... so they will not fit at all? That would be unfortunate I would give HM a ring but it's a little late tonight, just to see what's up. I might have to return these then if that's the case. What I got is labeled: W0506.

I am pretty sure (from reading in subiesport) that the WRX and STi share different LCAs. The WRX is black and kinda fatter. The STi is metallic in color and looks skinnier (more skeletal in design).

WRX arms are stamped/welded steel and STI are aluminum. Not sure if they are forged or cast, but I would suspect forged. Generally they have been interchangeable over the years since the hardpoints on the chassis are the same across all the impreza's. For ex, my '02 has LCA's from an '04 STI. Likewise, the ball joints at the knuckle and the rear bushings are definitely interchangeable. Honestly, its only the front bushing that I would think might be different. There isn't a lot of space there and I would not be surprised if the steel part and the aluminum part use different bushing designs.

Frank

[sysfailur]

Attempted WL RSB/endlinks/sway brace install:

Good points:

• Sway bar installed easily, stock removal was a piece of cake
• I used the medium setting of stiffness
• Drove around and it feels REALLY nice so far, the rear is getting some great grip. Front almost feels loose now due to the improvement. FSB install tomorrow w/ downpipe if time allows.

Bad points:

• I could not get the chassis end of the endlink to mount. I'll explain in detail later. I'm in a night class atm. I understand what to do but it's just insanely hard to fit. I'm running the stock endlinks for now.
• I got the sway braces but there is a 16/17mm bolt (somewhere in that range) on the chassis to remove and I simply can't get it off. I tried PB Blaster and it didn't budge. Any advice?

[sysfailur]

K, so I talked w/ Tony @ TIC via PM. Figured that would be the best approach. I was on the right track with my tactics. Now I just need to use some brute force and acquire a breaker bar.

[caveguru]

Originally Posted by sysfailur

Attempted WL RSB/endlinks/sway brace install:

Good points:

• Sway bar installed easily, stock removal was a piece of cake
• I used the medium setting of stiffness
• Drove around and it feels REALLY nice so far, the rear is getting some great grip. Front almost feels loose now due to the improvement. FSB install tomorrow w/ downpipe if time allows.

Bad points:

• I could not get the chassis end of the endlink to mount. I'll explain in detail later. I'm in a night class atm. I understand what to do but it's just insanely hard to fit. I'm running the stock endlinks for now.
• I got the sway braces but there is a 16/17mm bolt (somewhere in that range) on the chassis to remove and I simply can't get it off. I tried PB Blaster and it didn't budge. Any advice?

edit- oops:

two things- there is a write-up by TiC here in the '08 section on the install of those WL rear endlinks. The fit is really snug. Basically, you loosen the bolt that holds the bottom end of the shock and the lower link will open up enough to allow the stock to come out and the WL part to go in.

On the swaybars, I hate to tell you, but typically a stiffer swaybar reduces cornering traction on the axle it is installed. In other words, the stiffer rear bar should make the back feel loser than the front. This doesn't always happen, but for these cars it usually works that way. One thing that also happens is that the shorter (quicker) weight shift in the rear makes the steering feel more responsive. The effect was dramatic on my '02- steering response was 200% faster, but the effect was minimal on the '08 because of other differences between the cars.

Frank

[sysfailur]

Originally Posted by caveguru

edit- oops:

two things- there is a write-up by TiC here in the '08 section on the install of those WL rear endlinks. The fit is really snug. Basically, you loosen the bolt that holds the bottom end of the shock and the lower link will open up enough to allow the stock to come out and the WL part to go in.

On the swaybars, I hate to tell you, but typically a stiffer swaybar reduces cornering traction on the axle it is installed. In other words, the stiffer rear bar should make the back feel loser than the front. This doesn't always happen, but for these cars it usually works that way. One thing that also happens is that the shorter (quicker) weight shift in the rear makes the steering feel more responsive. The effect was dramatic on my '02- steering response was 200% faster, but the effect was minimal on the '08 because of other differences between the cars.

Frank

Yeah, that's kinda what I'm getting now--in reference to the cornering traction. It feels very different, but I haven't got the endlinks, braces, or FSB on. I like the direction the car is going though. Perhaps my description wasn't the best but, it definitely feels nice.

On the install, yeah I will be looking at that momentarily. That thought actually crossed my mind b/c of how damn tight it is--loosening that bolt for the shock.

Btw I have a couple other goodies I had not mentioned to display and a few pics of my fun earlier today.

My ghetto duct taped front plate (gotta get mounting hardware that works... screws do not work)





New official plate. "60MPG" was taken :|



Work area... fear the rhino ramps on the old bathroom rubbered carpets + pink and baby blue towels:



Rear end shot:

[IMG]http://www.maximumoc.com/img/WHITESTI/WLRSB/***_shot.jpg[/IMG]

[sysfailur]

Well I found this, which will be useful tomorrow if I decide to tackle the FSB.

2008 STI Whiteline Front Sway Bar (BSF39Z)

But I wasn't able to find the endlink install. I've been searching the forum since my last post with no luck I think I know what I need to do to fix it from Tony's advice but pictures would be nice.

Also, is it possible to do the FSB w/ the front on ramps or must I use jack stands? I don't have any, so I'd have to buy em.

[caveguru]

Originally Posted by sysfailur

Well I found this, which will be useful tomorrow if I decide to tackle the FSB.

2008 STI Whiteline Front Sway Bar (BSF39Z)

But I wasn't able to find the endlink install. I've been searching the forum since my last post with no luck I think I know what I need to do to fix it from Tony's advice but pictures would be nice.

Also, is it possible to do the FSB w/ the front on ramps or must I use jack stands? I don't have any, so I'd have to buy em.

ramps are fine. The biggest pain is the ~10 (!) 14mm bolts that hold the front jacking brace in place. I'll look for that thread.

Here it is:

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/technica...ndlinks-5.html

[sysfailur]

WL FSB/endlinks installed. And that was a damn easy installation. That's all for today. Tomorrow I should be able to tackle the DP and adjust the rear setup.

Running a 6k in the morning and then I'll be working on the car for the rest of the day

[sysfailur]

Got the heat shield off w/o removing the intercooler. Started working on the bolts to the turbo and realized how difficult it was going to be. I'll just get it done at a local shop... I'd rather have THEM strip a bolt and have them be the ones responsible for it. Who knows maybe I'll get a discount for taking the heatshield off! YEAH!

I may have them do the rear endlinks possibly. If the price isn't too high I may just have them do that too. If it is, I'll give it an attempt myself and then decide.

Anyway that's where I'm at. I'm tired, I'm cold, I'm gonna go watch some TV and relax lol

[butcherboy78]

so hows that downpipe coming along? you stage 2 yet? updates please