Jonas's GT-B - Daily Driven Twin Turbo

[jonasarmstrong]

Hi my name is Jonas. This is my first time posting on a forum but I'm just gonna go ahead with it anyway.

The car is a 1996 Legacy GT-B rocking a 2.0 L twin turbo EJ20H.
I bought it a few weeks ago and immediately fell in love with it. It is almost completely factory apart from the exhaust system which seems to be straight pipe all the way from the downpipe to the big bore muffler which sounds good but looks terrible.

This is the car how I bought it with 176'000 k's on the clock.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_00016_zps1a536efe-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000122_zps42e635e6-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_00018_zps2dd4e5b7-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000121_zps66ba7792-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000130_zps23cb6af4-1.jpg

[GTDrifter]

Welcome to the forum. Very nice car.

[Chief]

welcom to the Jungle!))) nice so clean!!!

[Zangado1]

Awesome ride mate.....Welcome.

[98legwag]

Looks fantastic.

[Dead91silvia]

Love the color! Welcome t the Forum!

[jonasarmstrong]

Thank you guys for the warm welcome!

There are a lot of things that I want to do/need doing on the car, starting off with the front grill. I finally got around to painting it today. The standard chrome looks fine but mine was chipped badly in multiple places so it had to be repainted and what colour is better for this than a nice, subtle black.

Before

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_00021_zps248c5680-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_00022_zps9f1b7a85-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_00023_zpsbf8b5f7d-1.jpg

Sanding, masking, spraying, the usual...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_00024_zps54220464-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000210_zpsf47ef33d-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000213_zpsf28956af-1.jpg

After

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000214_zpsb27296d7-1.jpg

Looks a lot better and stealthier then before.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000215_zps7d7a9bce-1.jpg

Was also extremely lucky to find a pair of those mini-side-extension-thingies on a 1998 Lancaster wagon at Pick-A-Part recently, which are quite rare over here in NZ since they came on hardly any JDM Legacy's.

!Probably nothing special for you guys in the States!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000136_zps79109fab-1.jpg

Even match the colour of my wheels! :grin:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000137_zpsc5a15ead-1.jpg

[Muse]

Very nice.

[98legwag]

Its interesting those things don't come on the car over there. In the states I think they come on every car.

[Reuben]

Welcome to the forums! And hi from an ex-shore boy, now down in QT.

Hard to find a good BG these days, I hope you look after it, they are most certainly an under-appreciated car...

[Dead91silvia]

Its interesting those things don't come on the car over there. In the states I think they come on every car.

Maybe I should sell the ones I shaving! haha :smt005


You really should make a thread in "Members rides I". :smt023

[jonasarmstrong]

Welcome to the forums! And hi from an ex-shore boy, now down in QT.

Hard to find a good BG these days, I hope you look after it, they are most certainly an under-appreciated car...

Cheers mate, had a good look through your thread on here aswell. Lovin' your build!

I agree with you on the underappreciation...

[jonasarmstrong]

Just a quick update: Got a new boost gauge off a mate and put it in the driver's side air vent to make it look nice and OEM. Car's running roughly 10psi according to the gauge. :grin:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/CXY_000630_zpsa47357fd-1.jpg

[Reuben]

Nice and oem is actually steering column mount if you can believe it. The v7's that were optioned with a defi boost gauge had them mounted on the left of the column. Fun fact. Looks good though, boost gauges are vital!

[jonasarmstrong]

Ok major update time since I haven't posted here for the last few months...

Anyways, my blue GT-B is gone, sold because it was developing multiple issues engine wise that would've cost me heaps on repairs or even engine replacement in the long run and I didn't have any funds at the time so I got rid of it. But before I did, I ended up painting my wheels orange! :grin:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/GTBCoverPic_2_zpsf13a5a5f-1.jpg

And here the last picture of it just a couple of days before I sold it...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/gtbisgone_1_zps017b3629-1.jpg

Despite its faults and flaws I loved that car for being my first turbo, being extremely tidy and the jokes made over its ridiculously hideous and stupid big bore. After that came 2 long months of waiting for replacement, jumping on TradeMe (the NZ version of Ebay) everyday and checking but nothing... until I stumbled upon this thing:

This is my new 1997 Legacy GT-B Limited with a twin-turbo EJ20R. It isn't the tidiest example out there needing a bit of body work done at the front but for what I paid I can't complain. This particular example also comes with the twin-sunroofs which was something I'd wanted since my first BG5.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/DJN_00014_zps8a5f64aa-1.jpg

As you can see the car sits pretty low in the picture due to the immediate install of a set of JIC Magic adjustable coilovers I'd acquired a couple of weeks prior to the purchase of the car. The were such a b***h to install... :smt013

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/DSA_00045_zps5c68fc4c-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/DEC_000119_zps9da0a7ef-1.jpg

Then did a quick photoshoot with it after also getting the fog lights send in from the previous owners.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/GTB2014_1FWM_zps22e75805-1.jpg

I have just recently moved half way down the country and am now living in Palmerston North which they like to call the asshole of New Zealand but I've finally got my own garage and driveway which makes working on the car sooo much easier. Due to having to take the trip across NZ's north islands roads I had to put my standard suspension back in otherwise I would've probably ended up in hospital with a spine injury... :-(

This is how she's sitting at the moment and I'll get back to working on it very soon! :grin:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/DAE_00042_zps27d0bb9f-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/DAE_00046_zpscd7c3f65-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/DAE_00048_zps7ba7bd92-1.jpg

Dirty Subie is dirty.

[foohfooh]

dude, every car in from NZ oozes style. so effortless. rad place to live. two amazing cars.

[N'CTRL]

Great looking wagons. You got the best colors too!

[Muse]

Oh, nice, it's got the RFRB wing, if I'm seeing things right.

[chevyman1968]

Man, this car is so clean. I love that color combo! White Subies are my weakness. I wish I had a GT that was as clean and stylish as yours!

[Lancaster6]

Love the white mate...but maybe I'm a little biased. I would trade by BH in a second for a car like yours. I've got a major soft spot for second gen GT-Bs...especially ones that happen to be lowered and white. :smt007

[LeggyxPower]

i'm so jealous because you didnt just have 1 GTB in your life time but 2!!!!

[Reuben]

Niiiiiice! Now don't paint these wheels orange too, or I'll fly up from QT and slap yah.

:D

[Muse]

Niiiiiice! Now don't paint these wheels orange too, or I'll fly up from QT and slap yah.

:D
Yeah... On a white car, neon green is the only way to go.

[jonasarmstrong]

UPDATE TIME!!! :D

So haven't been up to much lately due to the lack of funds so this is gonna be quite basic... :S

After owning the car for a few months the front passenger side tire kept on deflating from 40psi to sometimes just 3psi over the space of just 1-2 days so I went down to the tire shop to get the tire looked at and turned out I had a cracked inner rim. -_-
So a few days later I picked up an entire replacement SET of BG5 GT-B wheels because I couldn't find a single one. :L

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000427_zps77fe8ad7-1.jpg

This little f**kin' crack!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000436_zpsa37d1f1e-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000438_zpscb3403a2-1.jpg

Next up was a little project to give the fully white, fully screwed LTD front end a better look by giving the center section and grill one of my amateur paint jobs. ^^'

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000529_zpsc9e98648-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000530_zps519a31e4-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000532_zpsa7f7c582-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000534_zps5ac56869-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000537_zpsda180545-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000540_zps0b0eb5b0-1.jpg

I know I probably did quite a bad job but it's only temporary until I get the entire bumper professionally repainted. Tell me what you guys think of the new look! ;)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000542_zps07ce4466-1.jpg

Celebratory wash!! :D

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/CMH_000559_zpsd5e6d705-1.jpg

Typical rainy day in shitty Palmerston North... ain't stopping us from getting some detailing and other random shit done on the Legacy.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/BRF_000110_zps97770c36-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/BRF_000115_zps5a49825b-1.jpg

Decided to remove the mudguards for now.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/BRF_000112_zps164a28f0-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/BRF_000113_zps7db1c931-1.jpg

That's a lot of dirt! :shock:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/BRF_000117_zpsa9a719a0-1.jpg

Went out and took some more photos at the airport one evening and was lucky to get an amazing sunset!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/GTB2014_4WM_zps6792ad01-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/GTB2014_2WM_zps2d899c8b-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/GTB2014_3WM_zps0d63d78c-1.jpg

If you like my photography, head over to http://www.facebook.com/lightwerkphoto and give me a like, cheers! ;)

[Reuben]

Stunning! Where was that taken?

[Muse]

Ooooh, I like the blacked-out bumper...

[jonasarmstrong]

Time for an update just because... still not much going on because broke...

Anyway here's some more photos I took of the Limited earlier this year.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/GTB2014_6WM_zps24878351-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/GTB2014_72EWM_zps619a29ef-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/GTB2014_11WM_zps953ba6a0-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/GTB2014_12WM_zps8c5d43e5-1.jpg

Got a new job as a car groomer and played my magic (interior picture doesn't do it justice!).

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AEM_00014_zpse7175bd7-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AEM_00017_zps4c52f3e1-1.jpg

Also one of the 1-month-old yellow fog bulbs blew... :-?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AEM_000111_zpsaf3a5417-1.jpg

Next up I did a well overdue rear windscreen wiper delete for a cleaner look. The rubber bung used to block off the hole can be found in any BG wagon's spare wheel well if anyone is keen to do this simple mod too. :grin:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AEM_000318_zps825dcfeb-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AEM_000317_zps0c15832d-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AEM_000319_zps87a35f71-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AEM_000324_zps1b5ee0c1-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AEM_000327_zps0d1d5e06-1.jpg

Also 250'000KMS!!!!!!!! (and still going...)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/10616127_733639556729000_516355125745938-1.jpg

Got my hands on an extremely rare Cusco rear strut brace and did some minor customization to make it sit clean under the trim.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AGL_000123_zps396ee5eb-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AGL_000129_zpsf32040dc-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AGL_000132_zps914f14be-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AGL_000133_zps0da39118-1.jpg

NOW... the big one. Piece of s**t hadn't been boosting properly/feeling sluggish for a very long time. Finally had enough and got my mechanic mate to have a look at it and he said the turbos are both screwed. Happily ended up scoring myself a mint set of VF26/27 turbos off a mates third gen BH5 GT-B which is undergoing a serious single turbo conversion. They went in along with fresh coolant! What an absolute asshole of a job!!!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/IMG_9966_zps0bab02f2-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/10616122_733637336729222_817034481308991-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/10294292_733637323395890_870732295672497-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/10339765_733637310062558_665804833786762-1.jpg

All fitted with the boring looking heatshields removed. Looking good!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AGL_000118_zpse5cca8bf-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AGL_000116_zps42369a37-1.jpg

Problem is... it hasn't fully fixed it. :smt012
The BOV doesn't piss oil anymore and there's no more whining coming from the primary turbo, yet the car still not feeling much faster. Talked to some people and finally got the car diagnosed by Palmfield Subaru at a really good price and they concluded that the car is running lean because of a fucked AFM, which the car is currently waiting on.
I've also started prepping the front end for a respray and this where the car is at at the moment. Will update again soon! #watchthisspace

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/AGL_000140_zps03bff143-1.jpg

P.S. found this on Facebook and it made me laugh, thought I'd share it with you lol :lol:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/1920624_733637296729226_2290753685197485-1.jpg

[Muse]

Thank you so much! I deleted my rear wiper about a year ago, and have been making due with electrical tape and a sticker from my local brewpub. No water's getting in, but... it's just not the same. I actually grabbed a plug from a BK that came without a wiper from the factory, when I had my first one, but the wiper wouldn't come off, and I lost the dang thing.

[Reuben]

Boooooo to the rear wiper delete. Dirty fucking ricer mod... I can't live without mine, and I honestly think it doesn't change the look (for the better) at all.

At least it's reversible.

[Muse]

Well, mine didn't work on the first car because the wiper motor was shot, and on the new car, due to 1995-1997 wiring differences after swapping my hatch, so it really just made sense for me.

[meepers]

sweet rides.. The first GTB in Blue looks soooo nice. And yes, Leggy wagons look killer in white, but I really love how you blacked out the GTBLTD lower. You should trade me for my outback cover. then you could be REALLY cool, and I could make due with your slightly beat to crap cover. come on... you know you wanna!. lol Nice cars tho. keep up the good work

[jonasarmstrong]

Boooooo to the rear wiper delete. Dirty fucking ricer mod... I can't live without mine, and I honestly think it doesn't change the look (for the better) at all.

At least it's reversible.

Wooooow mate rice is a big word. I think it looks cleaner and I have never really needed mine. But I can imagine you can make good use of it down in snowy QT. :shock:

[soba noodle]

Even I make a pretty decent use of mine up in Auckland :D

[Reuben]

Wooooow mate rice is a big word. I think it looks cleaner and I have never really needed mine. But I can imagine you can make good use of it down in snowy QT. :shock:


Haha, I'm just a cunt that doesn't know how to mince words anymore :D

[Muse]

Wooooow mate rice is a big word. I think it looks cleaner and I have never really needed mine. But I can imagine you can make good use of it down in snowy QT. :shock:


Haha, I'm just a cunt that doesn't know how to mince words anymore :D
Oh, you mince 'em well enough, mate. You slice 'em, dice 'em, and make a proper hash of them. :lol:

[Reuben]

Wooooow mate rice is a big word. I think it looks cleaner and I have never really needed mine. But I can imagine you can make good use of it down in snowy QT. :shock:


Haha, I'm just a cunt that doesn't know how to mince words anymore :D
Oh, you mince 'em well enough, mate. You slice 'em, dice 'em, and make a proper hash of them. :lol:


I'm greatly amused :D

[Muse]

Wooooow mate rice is a big word. I think it looks cleaner and I have never really needed mine. But I can imagine you can make good use of it down in snowy QT. :shock:


Haha, I'm just a cunt that doesn't know how to mince words anymore :D
Oh, you mince 'em well enough, mate. You slice 'em, dice 'em, and make a proper hash of them. :lol:


I'm greatly amused :D
I live to amuse, m'lord. *tips hat*

[jonasarmstrong]

Yooo what's up people!

I hate my car!... NO sorry I love my car... or do I hate it?... I don't know. It's complicated.

Anyway, I have FINALLY gotten around to painting the front end over the festive days. Will still need to be buffed but so stoked with the outcome!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/AOO_00012024_zpsqlawl75p-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/AOO_00012043_zpsamadgtah-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/10289833_784125825013706_490387802880641-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/10968381_784125871680368_427111700276878-1.jpg

SUBARU. DOG APPROVED.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/11097_784127148346907_251104282407947391-1.jpg

Treated myself to a decent drive down to Waikanae beach after a 2 week hibernation.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/10361966_784131518346470_706144141745965-1.jpg

DIY Ingenuity #53: What was once a sedan rear spoiler is now a lower rear lip under the rear bumper (clears the exhaust perfectly too!).
Opinions may vary!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/14311_784126291680326_731593106693376163-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/10155650_784126398346982_799563246429138-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/1013620_784126411680314_5156653050691546-1.jpg

I still haven't gotten around to replacing the AFM and it failed it's WOF inspection on the RH lower ball joint so that will be fixed next week.

Finances will hopefully get better soon so I can get into modding!