question about fitment of parts from other model years

[corz24]

I apologize if this has been brought up before, and if so direct me in the right direction.
I have a 97 Legacy GT Wagon. Can I use engine parts and upgrades from a 2.5rs? Also how interchangeable are JDM parts for the
US spec cars?

[98legwag]

JDM body parts should fit. I have JDM headlights and fogs on my 98. My USDM bumper had to be modded to fit the JDM fogs. I also have 02-07 WRX wagon struts/springs on my wagon. Along with WRX endlinks. Another good, cheap upgrade for you would be to get the rear sway bar from an Outback. Its slightly larger than what is on you GT.

[corz24]

:smt023 I like the idea of the sway bar! can probably find one in yard for cheap! DO you know if the upgrades for a 2.5rs works on the 2.5gt?

[98legwag]

Exhaust stuff should work. Cat backs are different, but you can make them work. Intake stuff is different as well because the Legacy runs a MAF sensor vs the MAP sensor on the Impreza. I am not sure on intake parts. My friends who are on here, Rubie_25GT and Hinyo, put headers and a cat back from a 2.5RS on their GT sedans.

[teeceRS]

On the same topic what other Subaru vehicle parts swap over to the BH? For instance, there are few to no sites that ask if you specifically drive a legacy 2000-2004 it typically skips that year or starts in 05.
So do some wrx, or 2.5RS parts fit, if I search some things for the 02-03 wrx will they bolt right up.

[rkrenicki]

I greatly dislike vague question threads like this. I read this thread like this: "Can I get some things and put it onto my car?". The short answer is "Yes", the long answer requires a lot more information.. "Some Things" such as what? Do you want it to look/work good? How much money/time do you have to throw at this?

Absolutely anything is possible. How realistic it is depends on a lot of things. WRX body panels or lights will not bolt right onto a BH, at least not without extensive modification (which costs money and/or time). Same with body panels from other years of the same model, but with enough work it can be made to fit. Mechanically, most subarus are similar enough that mechanical bits can be made to work with varying amount of difficulties.

[teeceRS]

Ok good point, It was a very vague question, my bad.

Your answer was very unhelpful, the way I read your response is: hey dumbass, you can't put a wrx door on your legacy. Which is not what I was asking and despite how unclear my question was, I hope that you could figure out something a bit more kind to say, rather trying to make a fool of me for no reason.

What mechanically, suspension wise, and comfort wise that will essentially bolt up with my Legacy. I know the seats and steering wheel all work, and I know wheels fit as well. I know that Subaru's are very interchangeable. I used to drive an Impreza, there almost isn't anything Subaru that doesn't bolt up to her. But the BH is a whole new ballpark for me. So all I wanna know is, when I search for parts, would it be appropriate to search parts for a WRX of the same generation. If that's not specific enough for you, then I'd like to talk to someone else.

[rkrenicki]

Wow.. Really? At no point did I call you any sort of name there, and I do not really appreciate you putting words into my mouth. I was not personally attacking you, although it is clear that you thought that I was.

This forum has many examples of Legacies with parts that were never designed for it. WRX Interiors? Check. SVX drivetrains? Check. STI.. well.. everything? Check. Take a few minutes and look around, you may be surprised as to what you can find on here.

I also would like to point out that you apparently did not really read my reply. If you had, you would have seen that I actually said that you could put WRX doors on your Legacy, if you were really willing to put the time and money into whatever modifications and/or fabrications requires to make it work. Is it reasonable or easy to do it? No. But it is possible.

[dodik]

Ok good point, It was a very vague question, my bad.

So all I wanna know is, when I search for parts, would it be appropriate to search parts for a WRX of the same generation. If that's not specific enough for you, then I'd like to talk to someone else.


Still to vague of a question if you are looking for light bulbs then yeah they'll probably fit if you are looking for subframe no it wont

[Dead91silvia]

Lot of info in here...

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23111 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23111)

Also, you need to be specific when asking about parts interchange. If you have a 97 Legacy and your trying to use engine parts from a 98 RS, they will work, but if it's a 2000, they will not.

[teeceRS]

Lot of info in here...

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23111 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23111)

Also, you need to be specific when asking about parts interchange. If you have a 97 Legacy and your trying to use engine parts from a 98 RS, they will work, but if it's a 2000, they will not.

I do realize how vague I am. But your response was actually pretty helpful and hopefully will get me closer to being more specific about what I am particularly hunting for. Thanks! :grin:

[teeceRS]

Cana 2nd outback front bumper fit flush on a 3rd gen base?

[rkrenicki]

A "2nd gen outback" (1996-1999) bumper will not fit nicely on a "3rd gen" (2000-2004) without extensive modifications. Unless you are calling the 2000-2004 model year outbacks "2nd gen" in which case it would bolt up but requires changing the bumper beam, tow hook, corner supports, and probably the fenders with outback bits.

Please use model years or better yet chassis codes instead of "generations" when you are describing these cars. There is no standard for "generations" when it comes to internet forums, and it does not give us enough information to determine exactly what you are asking.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I've seen BE/BH bumpers on BD/BG/BK fit with some modification (trimming, filling, painting) but not the other way around.

Potentially anything can work if you're good enough at modifying plastic and fiberglassing things.

But they're not a direct fit.

[Muse]

From my experiments, I think you could, technically, fit a 2nd-gen legacy L bumper on a third gen. The problem would be the tabs where, on the third gen, the bumper comes up to meet the hood (Circled in red). The 2nd-gens don't have them, so you would have giant holes in the front of your car. Also, 2nd-gen Outback or GT/GTB/GTB limited bumpers would not fit, as the recess for the grille (circled in green) goes lower than the L's does, (tall grille vs. short,) and would run into the bumper beam.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/01/bumper_zpse3bfac24png-2.jpg (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/SubaMuse/media/bumper_zpse3bfac24.png.html)

[teeceRS]

ah ok thanks guys. I appreciate the break down, really gives me more of an idea of why it won't fit. I figured it was worth asking though!
No, I am well aware of which model years line up with the generations rkrenicki... despite your request the other two people who responded knew very well what I was asking. I don't understand your need for hostility towards me in any of my question posts.... seems a bit hasty and unneeded.

[Yamazaki]

Teece, I assure you that rkrenicki isn't feeling hostile (although I can see how it seems that way after reading the posts). Some of us like to be VERY precise, and require questions to be fairly specific in order to answer accordingly. In addition to this, there are many people that have mis-informed beliefs as to what models are called what and attempts to educate may come across as condesending or hostile when they aren't meant to be. It's really difficult to determine tone on a forum without meeting and talking to people unfortunately.
Soo..... you should try to make it up to meet a lot of us at the big meet on March 29! :grin:

Anyway, my point is that I just wanted you to know that rkrenicki is actually a really friendly guy and I can assure you that he doesn't mean anything hostile. He's actually one of the most helpful people here (and the master of research!).


But seriously, try to make it to the meet on March 29th. It's totally worth it to meet everybody in person (and the cars, of course).

[Dead91silvia]

^ Agreed... rkrenicki and I are both mild mannered guys. You should try it to the meet if you can. I'm flying in from Seattle for the meet so I will have everyone beat of distance.

[rkrenicki]

Yes, in re-reading my post, I could see how you would think it was being hostile. That is not my intention in any way, I am just trying to get enough information from you to give you a good answer.

The issue with that question really stems from the fact that some forums call the 2000-2004 years "2nd generation outback", because there was no outback in the US from 1990-1994. We have no way of knowing for sure what you use to describe "generations", so I provided you answers to both possibilities.

The second half of my reply was simply asking you to use years for identifying cars instead of generations... Or better yet, chassis codes! Those are globally universal where years vary in pretty much all markets. I would encourage you to look up threads in the SLI 101 section for chassis codes or "Applied Model codes", which will greatly help you find parts from other countries for your car.

[teeceRS]

Ok. I appreciate your response, I will not to take your responses negatively thus forward. It's a new concept for me because the forum I frequented before my Legacy was generation specific and we were able to refer to the various generations without confusion. Regardless, I'll work on it!

[Ten Bricks]

I have a 2000 Legacy L and i want to upgrade the exhaust system (muffler manifold and cat) for better performance. I can by a cat converter from a 03 WRX wagon for cheep and barely used. First question will that fit my legacy? Second question What are some highly suggested options on parts for reasonable prices. I apologise for any vaugeness

[Wiscon_Mark]

The catalytic converter systems for Turbo cars are completely different, so I'd pass on that. The 2000 uses the same "J-pipe" that all 95-05ish Legacy, Impreza, and Forester models without turbos use, so if you're looking for an upgrade, get the Stromung Hi-flow cat (http://boxer4racing.3dcartstores.com/St ... _p_13.html (http://boxer4racing.3dcartstores.com/Stromung-Cat-pipe-for-18-22-25-liter_p_13.html)) or have an exhaust shop weld up a section with a universal hi-flow cat. I had this on my '95 Outback and it did not throw a CEL. It's possible that it might with a SOHC EJ25 though as emissions systems were different. They make a fix for that too, though.

As for mufflers & the like, you can adapt some OEM Subaru cat-back systems (WRX/STi) to the Legacy, but it's probably going to be cheaper & easier to get a custom job done with a muffler of your choice. About the only OEM-fit stuff available for the '00-04 would be the JDM OEM upgrade mufflers and they're expensive with shipping.