i drive a Legacy LSi, the high end Legacy's with the EJ25.

 

i picked up a Legacy L, the base models that have an EJ22. great car but it seems to sway side to side a LOT more than my LSi.

 

what's the main cause of that? different struts, sway bar, or something else?

 

two front LSi or GT struts will fix that?

Are the wheels and tires a different size? My '95 L has 185/70/14's and my brother used to have a '99 L special edition with 195/60/15's and there was a noticeable difference in ride and handling just with that slightly larger, lower profile tire.

 

I guess it's possible that the spring rates and shocks might be different--more like a GT?

 

Or, if your "L" is like mine, the shocks and everything could be "well worn"

 

Brian

Yes, the wheels are different.

 

The L model has 14"

My LSi has 15"

 

I'm fairly certain what i'm feeling is suspension though, not just tires. I know what that feels like since I run snow tires in the winter, ha ha!! It's a very big and noticeable difference, where as I never really notice swapping wheels/tires, except snow tires.

You are correct. from 92 to 94 (perhaps later?) the L has no sway bar in the rear. the LS and LSi do. 90 and 91 do not have this problem. Of course, it could also be worn struts. . .

1996 LSi

1997 L

 

my buddies 97L is the one with craptastic handling. my 96 LSi is MUCH tighter.

 

so...sway bar or struts huh?

Don't discount the tire sizes either. I had WRX wheels and tires on a MY95 Legacy L sedan and now a MY97 L wagon and the handling improved immensely. The lower profile tires didn't stop body roll but grip was waaaaaaayyyy better.

 

You may also want to take a look under there to be sure the sway bar/ end olinks are still functional. If it has a sway bar but it is broken, then it really does not have one, does it?