New Member. Detroit area. Starting a lifelong hobby

[99BKLOutbackWrx]

Hello to everyone. I am joining the hobby. I purchased a extremely clean 99 BK L 5mt. 160k on original body and drivetrain. 200 miles on a fresh rebuild phase ll 2.2. Car was bought from an ASE mechanic with all paperwork on the completed work. Also threw in a backup trans with 70k. The current trans has a small bearing noise. Believed to be output shaft bearing. Affects nothing and barely noticeable. All buttons, switches, factory options work. No rust. $2650....okay now the fun part. I have a vision based on some light light research. My research says the 97-99 BK will swap out with 02-07 Impreza on most parts engine trans excluded cause of my 2.2. I already put 00 RS 16" with 205/55 for the winter. I plan on the 04 Sti with 225/45-17 for summer. My goal here is to get feedback, insight, constructive criticism, and encouragement. My vision is as follows....


99 BK L 5mt. Phase ll 2.2 stock. This a renegade grocery getter, dog hauler and general money pit. I drive highly aggressive and in Detroit. So I need pothole safety and getaway speed. This is a hybrid project not for practical use.

04 Sti 17"
07 Sti Front seats
02-07 Sti Hood....if possible????
Sti short throw

Whiteline racing wagon specific bushings, ends, ball joints, brackets , etc.
02-07 Outback Sport struts or if the 95-99 OBS are better fit or only fit.
Stock springs
I want the best brake non track that will bolt right on. 11.4 wrx???

04 Sti 6MT...edit- or the 01-04 JDM 5MT. Whichever is the smoother conversion. Or just burn up these stock 5MT.
04 Sti LSD or a good equivalent
If this is possible. Looking for feedback. Yes that's worth more than 3 of the cars. I understand that it is 500+ hp trans on a 130 hp motor. Just want to know if its a smooth operation bolting to the phase ll 2.2. And what year is smoothest.

I would like feedback on-
Header back exhaust
Highest quality ignition system possible
Highest quality alternator
Radiator/Cooling system parts.
Will the 02-07 OBS front and rear bumpers bolt right on? I like the round fogs
Bolt on headlight upgrades and not cosmetic. Practical use upgrades.
Some type of side lower body protection similar to the 98 or so Outback. Just alot less bulky.
Any type of pulley, forced air, MAF sensors, any thing intake or exhaust.
Top quality N/A clutch and lightweight flywheel. I don't launch. I drive. Hard.
Not doing anything to motor till I break it.

Also looking for any links or reputable parts suppliers that may help. I'm going to try read every relevant post I can find. I'm easily taught. If this is not the right place to post or if I should post in each section relevant to the area of the vehicle. Thanks for any feedback and be safe out there. Also how do I post pics? I'm typing this on my iPhone need to get a laptop ASAP.
I will edit as I learn from other posts.

Long term motor thoughts....
-edit. Long term it will the 96 2.5. N/A...Specifically for the low end torque. Will that fit the 6mt or the jdm 5mt.
-edit. Or the 2.0 wrx motor. Will that bolt to the 6mt or jdm 5mt
-edit. Just food for thought. Will any 07+ Sti motor,trans,LSD all bolt in? I've seen the whole kits for like 5-10 grand including wiring harnesses. Just in case life presents those options.


Overall I'm looking for a 99 BK L, with OBS ride height and travel, and Sti power and drivetrain.

-edit. Or should I just keep this as close to stock and get a 97-99 legacy outback and do all this to that? I don't want an Impreza I have 4 large dogs and I'm 6'3".

[foohfooh]

whew! thats a lot to do/look at!

first off. welcome to the forum. youve come to the right place.

better start by building a members ride thread. Thats a good place to begin your daily log of what your doing with your car and post photos!

that way members can check out your mod ideas/future build aspirations.

your Bk seems to be an excellent place for what your trying to do. Lots of guys make STI power ranges in wagons.

first off:
.5 your extremely interchangeable years are 95-99. less interchangeability exists between 02-07 but it still exists none the less
1. you also will be able to lift your Legacy BK to Legacy Outback ride height comfortably using subaru brand struts/springs from an Outback or aftermarket company. (again 96-99)
2. 02-07 impreza sti hood will not be a bolt on mod. (most guys who swap in turbo motors (which is what your discussing) use front mount intercoolers)
- however 97-99 outbacks had aesthetically pleasing hoods with non-functional hoodscoops
- or you could just make a hood with a hoodscoop using sti/custom parts.
3. Swapping in turbo motor is absolutely nutz expensive (you seem to grasp this concept so ill leave it at that)
4. for your headlight upgrades you can swap on a legacy outback bumper (with circle fogs) (96-99)
5. for headlights a lot of guys really like the the JDM projector style headlights (they have to be retrofitted for USA use, and the wiring pigtails are different) (96-99)

hope that helps.

[99BKLOutbackWrx]

Thank you. Nice to meet you as well. Looking through these forums it's mind blowing the dedication, ingenuity, persistence and money people put into their passions. I'm excited for the adventures ahead. I started a build thread as suggested. Alot of your insight was spot on. Just the type I'm needing. I'm going to respond to some of your technical answers in my build forum so it can become more detailed and specific. If you care to offer more insight. Thank you.

[99BKLOutbackWrx]

So far on my journey for parts for my 99 bk l I have been finding whole cars at giveaway prices. I've since purchased 3 outbacks and another Bk L. My girlfriend purchased a 14 crosstrek XV cvt. so I'm all in.

[r3v_v3ng3]

You should give one away to me :)