First post on this forum. Looks like lots of great people and information so I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm a newbie to Subarus and just bought a 2005 2.5 RS for my son who is going to school Colorado. The former owner installed Tein springs that were meant for a WRX/WRX si (I called Tein and gave them the part numbers) and the car is very low. Looks cool and is fun to drive but it will never make it through the winter in Colorado where my son is (I bought the car in Houston). He will be disappointed but I'm the dad and common sense prevails :)
Additionally, the fronts have Monroe struts while the backs have the stock Subaru struts. My assumption is that I can buy some stock springs and they'll swap back into the stock struts in the rear but I do not know about the Monroes on the front. I got the specs for the Monroes and called Subaru to see if the body length, compressed length, travel, etc. is the same as the stock Subarus but they got real snippy and told me they don't have that info and all they can do is tell me the part number.
Anyone know of a way to figure this out? I know it's not a big deal to just buy a couple more stock Subaru struts for the front but every penny counts at this point and if I can use the Monroes I would prefer to do that.
Finally, is there an alternative to the stock Subaru springs that might give us the same (or comparable) ride height as stock but provide more handling/stiffness? I've read on here that the stock suspension for the RS is pretty mushy. I know it is a compromise between ride height and handling performance, and wanting to go with more ride height is not the way to go to get better handling performance, but he really needs the clearance at this point.
Thanks for your help and for a great site with a lot of valuable info.
Additionally, the fronts have Monroe struts while the backs have the stock Subaru struts. My assumption is that I can buy some stock springs and they'll swap back into the stock struts in the rear but I do not know about the Monroes on the front. I got the specs for the Monroes and called Subaru to see if the body length, compressed length, travel, etc. is the same as the stock Subarus but they got real snippy and told me they don't have that info and all they can do is tell me the part number.
Anyone know of a way to figure this out? I know it's not a big deal to just buy a couple more stock Subaru struts for the front but every penny counts at this point and if I can use the Monroes I would prefer to do that.
Finally, is there an alternative to the stock Subaru springs that might give us the same (or comparable) ride height as stock but provide more handling/stiffness? I've read on here that the stock suspension for the RS is pretty mushy. I know it is a compromise between ride height and handling performance, and wanting to go with more ride height is not the way to go to get better handling performance, but he really needs the clearance at this point.
Thanks for your help and for a great site with a lot of valuable info.