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vrmilionzx
08-13-2010, 10:28 PM
Hello,
Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Robert. Recently picked up a 97OBW(L) that I'm trying to bring back to it's former glory. It had 170k miles on it, and a headgasket that was starting to leak. We picked it up cheap, and started on the fun.
-Low mileage JDM motor (~45k miles), did the headgaskets and all seals.
-03 WRX Wheels and Brakes

I've picked up some WRX Swaybars that I [i]think[i] should fit, based on when I mocked them up.
Also going to pickup a stock WRX catback exhaust that I'm going to try to "make" work - I have a friend with access to welding eqpt (and a lot of experience), so I'll probably be adding a few inches of "test pipe" to keep the length right.
The goal is to make it a little more efficient, without making it too much louder. We have dogs, and will be taking them on trips into the mountains and snow with us, so we don't want to scare them with a loud car (That's what my 240 is for).
I'm also looking into some JDM Projector headlights, and hopefully some nice heated folding mirrors. I wouldn't be looking for mirrors, but less than 2 months after buying it (with heated mirrors, btw), my dumb neighbor hit the mirror and broke it off while it was parked. So now I'll see if I can replace that with better parts!

Anyway, that's the short version - I'm going to go start leaching information now!

Robert

chuckthefuk
08-14-2010, 12:47 PM
Welcome to Sli,

Why did you say that your OBW is an L? Just wondering??

Anyways to answr some of your questions:
1) WRX exhaust will *fit* but you have to extend the "mid pipe" between the cats and axle back. And you wall have to reweld th axle back hanger to different location. If your keeping your stock cats it will be less raspy sound.

2) Projectors are a dime a dozen. Ebay/Sli Classified/Kijiji. $200 is the average price and the lens cut off is much nicer then the oem ones. Easy install 30 mins and the wiring and testing should be done.

3) The only upgrade for your mirrors are the "Heated/ power folding" mirrors from Japan but the wiring isn't that easy. Go with a orginal OBW heated mirror and be done with it :-D

Anyways welcome and check out the DIY, Literature section, and members rides I.

Enjoy
-Chuck

mike-tracy
08-14-2010, 02:41 PM
Yeah the stock 1st gen outback heated mirrors aren't the folding type. You're saying yours were the folding type?

08-14-2010, 05:05 PM
1995 is the only year with power and folding mirrors, marketed in the us anyways

mike-tracy
08-14-2010, 05:20 PM
1995 is the only year with power and folding mirrors, marketed in the us anyways

On what car?

08-14-2010, 05:30 PM
i believe it was all models in 1995 (L,LS,LSi)

mike-tracy
08-14-2010, 06:09 PM
i believe it was all models in 1995 (L,LS,LSi)
I've been talking about folding AND heated.

Though I swapped the mirrors on my 96 to folding, haven't come back to a car with broken mirrors since, but I'd love to get heated+folding for my outback before the inevitable happens.

08-14-2010, 06:14 PM
oh, i meant folding and power adjustable, ive had such a hard time finding a new one since mine was hit clean off...

im pretty sure the only power/folding/heated ones are jdm.. ive seen them pop up on ebay often tho... dibs on your folding! lol

vrmilionzx
08-28-2010, 12:54 PM
Sorry, posted this and forgot to check for updates!
It's a Limited Edition, so I just put "L" - newb mistake, I'm still learning a lot about trim levels, didn't realize there were some "L" models - oops!

As far as the mirrors, no, there were no folding, power, heated mirrors that I've been able to find stateside - getting some from japan.

Hopefully that's helpful, or at least, makes me look a little less ignorant