Just picked up a new 2013 Forester XT, currently completely stock. I've searched various threads regarding sway bar upgrades but am still wondering the following: 1.) I currently don't have plans to replace the springs or struts in my Forester, I would however like to improve body roll if possible. Realistically, would sway bars alone do enough to make it worth the expense and potential install headaches? 2.) If sway bars would make a positive impact, which brand IYO has the best non-adjustable set? 3.) Has anyone installed the factory strut tower brace? If so, thoughts? Total noob here, not mechanically inclined. Be gentle. Thanks!
Subaru's frames have been pretty stout since the Impreza GD chassis. I am going to assume that followed across their full line. With that said, a strut tower brace probably isn't going to do a whole lot. The strut towers are set back in the engine bay and are nearly integrated into the firewall, which means joining the tops of them isn't going to give you a huge gain in rigidity. If anything, I would say the rear strut towers being braced would probably do more, but it isn't really going to be noticable. As far as what brands and what not, I really can't say. I would rather let someone with experience in that give you a better opinion. Though I would think that body roll would be dictated by both the spring/strut and the sway bar. With as high as the Forester sits, and the travel that the stock struts likely have, you would probably benefit from LIGHTLY lowering it on a slightly stiffer spring AND doing a larger rigid sway bar. Though I suppose, as you stated you don't want to mess with the perfectly functioning stock parts, a swaybar would probably help a bit. I just don't know how much because it wont account for strut travel and spring compression...I guess the real question is, which one is going to be the biggest factor in determining adverse body roll. I'd hate to see you toss hundreds of bucks at a sway bar only to find out that the difference is minimal because of the ride height and spring rate.
" I'd hate to see you toss hundreds of bucks at a sway bar only to find out that the difference is minimal because of the ride height and spring rate." Yeah that's totally what I want to avoid... I'll just wait for the warranty to end then go nuts. If I made the ride more rough by any degree my wife may sterilize me with a swift kick - so for now, more extensive suspension modifications are on the back-burner. I love seeing what some of these guys are doing to their Foresters though.
Do the STI sway bars still fit the newer Foresters? If so that could be cheap fix. I got no kicks aimed in my direction after doing this to my 07. You may want to do some searching or inquire here as to options - http://www.subaruforester.org
Quick search and yep they do - http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f70/best-rsb-134450/ upgrade the endlinks and give it a try.
Alright, thanks guys, looks like an STi rsb is the way to go with upgraded end-links... let the hunt for parts begin.
If you can wait a couple weeks, I have my stock sways (08 STi) I'll sell you cheap. I'm just in Phoenix at the moment. Just a thought to save you some searching.
