Lifting a 97 OBS?

[zakmatthews]

I've got a 97 OBS that as been needing a budget suspension lift for years. I've got some local junkyards with some complete sets of strut assemblies. I've been doing a lot of research on forums, etc and I haven't found a clear answer.

What strut assemblies from which models will bolt directly in to my 97 OBS and give me a few extra inches?

I found a set 98 Forester struts, will those work?
I also found a set of 97 Legacy Outback struts, what about them?

I am trying to avoid having to re-drill in the back, and I'd rather not need to swap tophats. Like I said, this needs to be budget, I'm a poor college student.

[Fenix747]

im in the same boat as you are "poor collage student" and ive also been lookin at doin the lift for a while. the one thing ive found out is that there is no real straight answer to this unless you try it yourself. from what i know, fronts bolt right up no problem. rear is where the problem is. swapping top hats should work or drilling. but i havent heard or read anything about any outback or forester set up that bolts right up to the rear. hopefully some answers come up eventually. but for now im leaving mine stock, works good for rallyx and i need to stop hittin the jeep trails to keep it good for rallyx. best of luck to ya though

[98obster]

I've got a 97 OBS that as been needing a budget suspension lift for years. I've got some local junkyards with some complete sets of strut assemblies. I've been doing a lot of research on forums, etc and I haven't found a clear answer.

What strut assemblies from which models will bolt directly in to my 97 OBS and give me a few extra inches?

I found a set 98 Forester struts, will those work?
I also found a set of 97 Legacy Outback struts, what about them?

I am trying to avoid having to re-drill in the back, and I'd rather not need to swap tophats. Like I said, this needs to be budget, I'm a poor college student.

to lift the OBS with forester stuff there are only 2 options: drill or swap out the top hats. I've read about using early 91 legacy turbo (not Outback) tops being used or you can always use your originals. it's a cool project that happens when all the elements come together. sure the 98's will work but are probably really tired struts-what is the mileage? On the legacy stuff you found-I don't know, but they might be a good donor for the tophats. Just so you know, your impreza rears are 3.75" between holes and the Forester rears are 4" between the 2 inner bolts and 4.25" from the inner bolts to the outer bolt. have someone measure the legacy stuff if you can't yourself.

my personal opinion? unless you can make your lift happen for a song-meaning practically donated assemblies and extra parts if possible for the future then I'd save your money and be ready for when the stocks go back up-because you/we/I wanna be on that train when it leaves the station. the other thing is if and when you do the forester lift, the stock 205/60/15 tires will just look dorky-so be ready for that expense too-once you start it doesn't seem to end does it :) peace, jon

[zakmatthews]

Thanks guys. Those answers help a lot. I'm in need of new tires badly, so this is why I'm doing the lift now, and in time for winter. I'm thinking 205/70/15, would those fill the wheel well nicely w/o rubbing anythere during sharp turns?

[98obster]

205/70/15 will rub on fronts in turns some. in the rear, they fit, but caster is not even after the lift and will rub in spots or on bumps-lower perch is not the issue. you need some room for snow pack, spring compression. the 70s don't leave much. search miata for the tire calculator. I am running 195/65 for summer and 215/60 for my winter tires-i know, a little narrower for winter is best-but they look awesome.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html