You dont have to grind out the strut top bolt holes. You can use a Gen1 Series 1 Liberty rear strut top hat. It will allow you to use the GDB tapered rear springs while maintaining the gc8 rear strut top stud pattern PCD.

Having said that, unless you are going to get new G1S1 Lib rear mounts from subaru, second hand ones will have some pretty flogged out rubber on them so you may be better off just grinding the one stud hole so you can use GDB rear strut tops. GDB strut tops are a better design too.

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RS Liberty - Because WRX's are only good for parts...

couldnt i use my old gc8 hats,

Im more concerned with the mounting bolt holes.

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Version 6 STI

gc8 top hats wont work with later model gdb springs (03+)

bugeye springs should be able to work with gc8 rear top hats though since they are not tapered at the top.

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RS Liberty - Because WRX's are only good for parts...

aah ok, so gc8 rear springs wont fit in the newer strut?

does anyone know if the OD of the shockabsorber itself has changed in length or diameter from the gc8 ones?

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Version 6 STI