Subaru WRX Lowering Springs by Generation (2026 Guide)

The right lowering springs for a Subaru WRX depend on your chassis: GD (2002 to 2007), GE/GH or GR/GV (2008 to 2014), VA (2015 to 2021) or VB (2022 and newer). The STI usually needs its own set, so match the chassis code and the model before you order.

Most WRX and STI lowering springs on our store cost $180 to $229 a set from Godspeed and Megan Racing, and Whiteline's springs for the 2022 and newer VB WRX are $283.39. See every kit in our Subaru WRX lowering springs collection, or browse WRX and STI coilovers and suspension for adjustable options.

How lowering springs work on a WRX

Lowering springs are shorter than stock and usually stiffer. They bolt onto your factory struts, drop the car a set amount and cut some body roll. The suspension changes between chassis too. The 2008 to 2014 cars, for example, use MacPherson struts up front and switched to a double wishbone rear. Spring length, perches and car weight all change from one generation to the next, so springs are not shared across generations.

Lowering a car with front struts also lowers its roll center, and the steering arms and control arms sit at a new angle. On a mild drop that is fine. On a bigger drop, it can make the car feel lazy on turn-in and add bump steer. Whiteline recommends pairing its lowering springs with a roll center correction kit on strut cars. Read more in our guide to bump steer.

Find your WRX generation

Years	Chassis	Notes	Springs we list
2002 to 2007	GD sedan (GDA, GDB), GG wagon	WRX arrived in the US for 2002; STI for 2004	Megan Racing 2002 to 2003 WRX, $209; Godspeed Traction-S 2004 to 2007 WRX/STI, $180; Megan Racing 2004 to 2007, $209
2008 to 2014	GE sedan, GH hatch (narrow body); GV sedan, GR hatch (wide body)	WRX moved to the wide body for 2011; STI uses GR/GV	Godspeed Traction-S GE/GH WRX, $180; Godspeed Traction-S GR/GV STI, $180; Megan Racing narrow body (37 mm front, 26 mm rear), $209; Megan Racing STI (38.1 mm), $209
2015 to 2021	VA (WRX), VAB (STI)	Sedan only in the US	Godspeed Traction-S WRX (VA1), $180; Godspeed Traction-S STI (VA2), $180; Megan Racing STI, $229
2022 and newer	VB	No STI version	Whiteline Performance lowering springs, $283.39

Drop figures are the ones each brand lists in the product title. Where no figure is listed, we leave it out. Godspeed uses its own VA1 and VA2 labels for the 2015 to 2021 WRX and STI.

Narrow body or wide body?

The 2008 to 2014 cars are the tricky ones. The WRX launched on the narrow-body GE sedan and GH hatch, then moved to the wide-body GV sedan and GR hatch shared with the STI for the 2011 model year. Track width and some suspension parts differ between the two, so check which body you have. Megan Racing lists its 37 mm front, 26 mm rear set for the narrow body only. Godspeed splits its kits into GE/GH and GR/GV versions.

WRX vs STI springs

Most brands list STI springs separately from WRX springs, even on the 2015 to 2021 VA, where the two cars look nearly the same. A spring's length and rate are matched to the weight and damping of the car it is made for, and the STI differs enough from the WRX that a shared spring would compromise one of them. If a listing says "WRX STI," check whether it means the STI only or both models before you order.

Lowering springs vs coilovers on a WRX

Option	Price on our store	Height	Best for
Lowering springs	$180 to $283.39	Fixed drop	Daily drivers on healthy factory struts
Street coilovers (Godspeed, Megan Racing, SF Racing Sport, FactionFab F-Spec)	About $750 to $1,250	Adjustable	Owners who want to set their height and firm up the car
Track and multi-way kits (SF Racing Track and N2, FactionFab FR-Spec, BLOX Racing Plus, HKS)	About $1,095 to $2,744.99	Adjustable	Track days, rallycross and autocross

Many WRXs on the road have high miles, and lowering on tired struts makes the car bouncy and wears the struts faster. If you need struts anyway, price springs plus struts against a coilover kit. Our coilovers vs lowering springs guide goes through the trade-offs, and cheap coilovers covers what you get at the low end.

How to choose WRX lowering springs

• Match chassis, body and model. GE/GH vs GR/GV and WRX vs STI matter more than the year.
• Keep the drop moderate on a daily. A mild drop keeps geometry close to stock. Going lower is where camber, bump steer and scraping start to show up.
• Check wheel and tire fitment. Use the ride height and wheel fitment calculator and the tire size calculator if you are changing wheels or tires at the same time.
• Think about use. If you take the car on gravel or rough roads, a smaller drop leaves more travel.

Install time and difficulty

You will remove each strut, compress the spring, swap it and reinstall. With hand tools, a floor jack and a quality spring compressor, plan on most of a day at home. A shop with a lift and a strut compressor usually does it in a few hours. If you are not comfortable compressing springs, let a shop handle that part.

What else you'll need

• Alignment. A lowered WRX gains negative camber, and toe out of spec wears tires quickly. Let the springs settle for a few days, then align it.
• Rear camber and toe adjustment. Godspeed lists adjustable rear upper camber arms for the 2008 to 2014 GR/GV, 2015 to 2021 VA and 2022 to 2024 VB at $400. For the VB, Whiteline lists adjustable rear toe arms at $493.20. See all alignment and camber kits.
• Roll center and bump steer correction. Whiteline's KCA313 roll center and bump steer kit ($142.99) is listed for 2002 to 2007 WRX, 2004 to 2009 STI and 2008 and newer WRX hatch.
• End links. If the sway bar links sit at an odd angle after the drop, adjustable links fix it. See when to go adjustable and sway bar end links.

What it costs

A basic WRX drop is the spring set ($180 to $283.39 on our store), an alignment at your local shop's rate and labor if you are not doing it yourself. If you go low or track the car, add rear camber arms ($400 for the Godspeed sets above). For a wider look at budgets, see how much it costs to lower a car.

Common mistakes

• Buying narrow-body springs for a wide-body 2011 to 2014 WRX, or the other way round.
• Putting WRX springs on an STI. They are usually different parts.
• Lowering on worn struts. The ride gets bouncy and the struts fail sooner.
• Skipping the alignment because the car "drives fine."

Our picks

• Whiteline Performance lowering springs for the 2022 and newer VB WRX, $283.39. The pick for current WRX owners who want a modest drop on factory struts.
• Godspeed Traction-S for the 2015 to 2021 WRX (VA1), $180. The budget choice for a VA daily driver.
• Megan Racing 2015 to 2021 STI springs, $229. For VA STI owners who want a set built for the heavier car.
• Megan Racing 2008 to 2014 narrow-body WRX springs, $209. For GE and GH owners, with a listed 37 mm front, 26 mm rear drop.
• Godspeed Traction-S for the 2008 to 2014 STI (GR/GV), $180. A low-cost option for the hatch or sedan STI.
• Megan Racing 2002 to 2003 WRX springs, $209. For bugeye owners.

FAQ

Do WRX lowering springs fit the STI?

Usually not. Brands match spring length and rate to each car, and they list separate STI sets for most generations.

How much do lowering springs drop a WRX?

It depends on the brand and chassis. Megan Racing lists 37 mm front and 26 mm rear for its 2008 to 2014 narrow-body set and 38.1 mm for its 2008 to 2014 STI set.

Do I need an alignment after lowering a WRX?

Yes. Lowering changes camber and toe, so get a four-wheel alignment once the springs have settled.

Are lowering springs bad for a WRX?

Not on a moderate drop with healthy struts. Problems usually come from big drops on worn struts, which cause bouncing, bottoming and faster strut wear.

Will lowering springs fit a WRX hatchback?

Check the listing. On the 2008 to 2014 cars, springs are listed by chassis code (GH or GR for the hatch), and some sets are made for one body only.

Sources

• Subaru WRX generations and chassis codes
• Subaru Impreza third generation suspension and wide body
• Whiteline 2022+ WRX lowering kit fitment and notes