GC8 WRX swap: Friends w/ sheepdog from eastcoastboost

[WRX GC8]

Hello everyone. I'm good friends with Sheepdog (Wiggins) from eastcoastboost and I also live right by him in Northern VA. He told me a lot of you guys are legit so i'm signing up :) I apologize in advance for the long post.

I have a 2000 "2.5rs" with a randomly pieced together GC8 swap.

Pics of the car and a mod list are at the bottom, but here's another key reason for me being here.

I'm young and in between colleges working full-time. I don't have nearly as much money as I did when i bought the car and modded it, and I really just don't want to put up w/ the hassle of my unreliable gas guzzler that gets me in trouble all the time. I've been looking into getting into something more reliable and efficient, but still fun!, for the next few years til I'm more financially stable.

So!!! I'm going to leave it up to you guys to convince me to get into a Legacy. I'm thinking a 97ish LGT. I'm undecided as to the direction I want to go with the car. Whether i build it as a DD (for starters this will be my goal), a weekend autocross car vs. weekend rally-cross car, or if i'll possibly set it up for full stage rally.
My thoughts are that it's reliable, efficient, and low key enough to keep me from getting pulled every time I pass a cop, and it's a wonderful platform for a UDSM Sti swap :twisted:
If you guys could give me some tips on which version to go with, good starter mods and key areas to address on the stock car, common issues I should look for etc. And help me with the biggest decision. Wagon or Sedan? I personally love wagons, but I need to trade off the utility and imo, baller status of driving a wagon
:lol: , vs. the obvious performance advantages of a sedan.

O.k. that was a terribly long intro post, thanks for reading!!
Here's a few pics of the car:

http://photos-196.facebook.com/ip002/v13/10/119/31803922/n31803922_30170196_397.jpg

http://photos-517.facebook.com/ip001/v10/10/119/31803922/n31803922_30130517_9990.jpg
Note that the Volks and exhaust are no longer on the car, nor are all the windshield stickers in an attempt to make the car more low key to the local police, who still know me from my wild high school days :wink:

http://s2.excoboard.com/forums/9509/user/116949/203514.jpg
This is the car from back in the hard core autocrossing days. I'm still sponsored however the shop has changed from the SpeedFactor to VIPgarage.

http://myspace-039.vo.llnwd.net/00523/93/07/523517039_l.jpg
The last one is me on the left and wiggins on the right, because we're bamfs and pull off the J Spec Monkey man so well :roll:

Car... 2000 GC8 WRX impreza (Started life as a 2.5rs)


Engine:
95 JDM ej20k w/ 2003 USDM ej20 shortblock
Greddy timing belt
New oil/ water pumps
Cooler thermostat
K&N cone filter
JDM Gray Injectors
Intercooler water sprayers
A/C delete
6 point grounding kit.
Sti engine mounts
EJ20g Ignition coils
NGK “colder” plugs .32 gap
Turbo XS BOV atmospheric

Electronics:
Custom adapted WRX wiring harness (Rally-Spec of NJ did it)
Field SFC Hyper II fuel computer
Greddy turbo timer
Dual Hella Supertone Horns

Exhaust:
Twin dump bosal downpipe 3inch ovular-outlet
3 inch Megan racing cat back (currently removed for legal issues)
JDM Catless uppipe
Gutted Cat

Suspension:
5 zigen springs
Whiteline adjustable rear sway bar
JDM sti front sway bar
KYB AGX 4/8 way adjustable shocks
Cusco rear strut tower brace

Brakes:
Slotted rotors
stainless steel brake lines
metal master pads
Super Blue Brake fluid

Interior:
Cobb fully adjustable sts
A-pillar boost gauge autometer phantom
Custom center gauge pod (autometer phantom air fuel, oil press. and buttons)
Sparco Evo 2 drivers seat
Video camera mount
Cabin mounted fire extinguisher
Panasonic head unit
Alpine rear speakers
Component audio front speakers
Cobra CB radio w/ external PA
Concealed Radar detector

Drivetrain:
V3 RA gearbox
Limited slip-rear diff. centrifugal
14lb flywheel
Competition Clutch 2300 series
Sti tranny mounts
Diff guards

Exterior:
JDM taillights
Rear fog
Coupe rear wing
Debadged rear
Color matched side skirts
JDM Clear corners and side markers
Sylvania Silverstars
JDM V5 front grille

Random stuff…
JDM trunk light kit
JDM gas door/trunk release (haha, why not?)
JDM gauge cluster (tach in middle… converted to mph w/ modified speed sensor)
Full size rear alloy
SCCA spec oil catch can

Alignment Specs:
Front:Left Front:Right
0.1° Camber 0.2°
3.3° Caster 1.7°
-0.04° Toe 0.04°
19.3° SAI 15.6°
19.4° Included Angle 15.8°

Front
Cross Camber 0.0°
Cross Caster 1.6°
Total Toe 0.00°

Rear:Left Rear:Right
-1.5° Camber -1.4°
0.04° Toe 0.14°

Rear
Total Toe 0.18°
Thrust Angle -0.05°

[Wiscon_Mark]

That's one hell of a first post :)

Welcome to the site!

If you are looking for advice on buying a legacy, you'll get plenty of biased opinions from us :lol:

But more seriously, if you're looking into a reliable Daily Driver, a Brighton (wagon-only) is going to be the lightest and most reliable. I think the 95 Brighton wagon was lighter than the 95L sedan, actually @ something like 2900 lbs. My outback is just shy of 3000lbs to give you an idea, and most GTs are more like 3100-3200 lbs.

The EJ25 (you may or may not be familiar with this) had problems with the Headgaskets up until 2000, and cooling issues until 2004. It's still a great engine, and reliable in all other aspects but the Headgasket, which is an almost guaranteed failure @ around 100-130k miles. I believe your Impreza got the PhaseII EJ25 which didn't have nearly as many problems. Whether or not you stuck with that engine for much time, I don't know ;)

So here's a rundown of what Legacys have what:

95-99 Brighton- wagon only, 5MT, EJ22
95-99 L Sedan- EJ22, 5MT/4EAT
95-99 Wagon- (same deal)
95-96 LS sedan- EJ22- 5MT/4EAT
95-96 LSi Sedan- EJ22-5MT/4EAT
95 outback wagon- EJ22-5MT
96-99 outback wagon- EJ25, 5MT/4EAT, lifted suspension
96-99 LGT wagon/sedan- EJ25, 5MT/4EAT, upgraded struts over L suspension, and of course lots of luxury features.

[sheepdog]

Good to have you around steve :)

[Superu264]

I think what you're REALLY looking for is a 95 Legacy L.. 2WD and a 4EAT, GREAT project car. I think I know who has one if you're interested :-D

[badbasser98]

I think I know who has one if you're interested :-D
^^^ :wink:

[WRX GC8]

I think what you're REALLY looking for is a 95 Legacy L.. 2WD and a 4EAT, GREAT project car. I think I know who has one if you're interested

Not trying to talk me up on a sale already are we :wink:



That's one hell of a first post Smile

Welcome to the site!

If you are looking for advice on buying a legacy, you'll get plenty of biased opinions from us Laughing

But more seriously, if you're looking into a reliable Daily Driver, a Brighton (wagon-only) is going to be the lightest and most reliable. I think the 95 Brighton wagon was lighter than the 95L sedan, actually @ something like 2900 lbs. My outback is just shy of 3000lbs to give you an idea, and most GTs are more like 3100-3200 lbs.

The EJ25 (you may or may not be familiar with this) had problems with the Headgaskets up until 2000, and cooling issues until 2004. It's still a great engine, and reliable in all other aspects but the Headgasket, which is an almost guaranteed failure @ around 100-130k miles. I believe your Impreza got the PhaseII EJ25 which didn't have nearly as many problems. Whether or not you stuck with that engine for much time, I don't know Wink

So here's a rundown of what Legacys have what:

95-99 Brighton- wagon only, 5MT, EJ22
95-99 L Sedan- EJ22, 5MT/4EAT
95-99 Wagon- (same deal)
95-96 LS sedan- EJ22- 5MT/4EAT
95-96 LSi Sedan- EJ22-5MT/4EAT
95 outback wagon- EJ22-5MT
96-99 outback wagon- EJ25, 5MT/4EAT, lifted suspension
96-99 LGT wagon/sedan- EJ25, 5MT/4EAT, upgraded struts over L suspension, and of course lots of luxury features.


And that is one hell of a response. Seems like I have my research ahead of me. I was unaware of the issues with the ej25.
I am not at all familiar with the ej22. But looking at all the models with that motor, i'm sure i will learn about it on these boards.

For now comfort and liveability will take precedence to performance i think. That was a big factor in my choice of the LGT. But i'm up for anything. Thanx for the responses :)

[Wiscon_Mark]

Oh, I'd like to make a correction...96 LSi had the EJ25, although I doubt you'd find one of those very easily :shock:

[losdiosdeverde86]

Oh, I'd like to make a correction...96 LSi had the EJ25, although I doubt you'd find one of those very easily :shock:

better off just going with the 97 gt. same thing, cooler grill.