BattleWagon's 98 legacy Brighton wagon (3/23 noncatastophic dyno fail)

[BattleWagon]

This is my 98 Brighton I picked up from a friends shop before it made it to the scrap yard. Only $200 to save a Subaru's life. One of the toothed timing gear's bearing froze, then sheered all the teeth off the belt. Pulled the engine apart... wasn't good. Plus the interior on this thing was beyond awful. So with a dead engine and shit for interior why not take the down time to start by restoring the interior first.

Interior
Cusco chromoly cage
Suede headliner
Suede door cards
Longacre cage mounted rearview mirror
Custom deckless stereo
Scanguage 2
Sparco evo 3 seat
Takata 6 Points
momo steering wheel
Black dyed carpet and felt
LED tape modded cluster
Custom short shifter
Perrin shift knob
GPS
Longacre oil pressure and water temp guages
AIM Sports Mychron3 xg log data logger
Corbeau Forza passenger seat

Exterior
Custom grill
JDM headlights blacked out
HIDs
APR carbonfiber side mirrors
Bootleg s204 front lip
Pin strip removal

Engine
Eg33 swap
SARD FPR
2x high flow cats
Custom 2.5" exhaust
Group N engine mounts
Torque Solutions torque mount
Ground kit
SPT oil cap
Cusco rad cap
Griffin aluminum radiator

Chassis
Cusco Zero Wagon coilovers
Cusco front and rear sway bars
Cusco front and rear carbon fiber strut bars
Cusco rear lower tie bar
Whiteline front and rear trailing arm bushings
Whiteline adjustable rear control arms
Whiteline Bump steer correction kit
Whiteline front control arm bushing
Whiteline Anti lift kit
Whiteline rear swaybar heavy duty mounts
Whiteline rack bushings
DBA 4000 2006 wrx Front rotors
2006 wrx 4 piston calipers
Brembo cross drilled rotors rear
Stainless brake lines
Hawk HP Plus pads
Grimmspeed master cylinder brace
Ate Super Blue fluid
Torque Solution carrier bearing aluminum bushings
Cobb front and rear sway bar links
Energy Suspension shifter bushings
Group N tranny mount
Arp wheel studs
Kartboy transmission crossmember bushings
Kartboy rear subframe lock down bolts
5zigen 17x8 FN01R-C
225 Potenza RE71


First day at her new home
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/IMG_00091_zpscfb88dbc.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/IMG_00091_zpscfb88dbc.jpg.html)

Dark carpet
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/048_zpseb2d3e57.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/048_zpseb2d3e57.jpg.html)

Suede headliner
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/047_zpsffe97302.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/047_zpsffe97302.jpg.html)

Seat and padding in
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/006_zpsrtpyglwp.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/006_zpsrtpyglwp.jpg.html)

Finished grill with white badge. Painted in a satin finish. we'll see how it looks on the car but i might switch too a matte finish.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/022_zpsrlsmp6ye.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/022_zpsrlsmp6ye.jpg.html)

Had to work over the bottom of the bumper with a heat gun to reshape it flat for the lip
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/011_zpsbcajul6m.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/011_zpsbcajul6m.jpg.html)

Lip added
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/029_zpse48zc3jf.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/029_zpse48zc3jf.jpg.html)

More heatgun repairs to a worn out bumper skin.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/019_zpsdjjmhda3.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/019_zpsdjjmhda3.jpg.html)

after
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/020_zpsjtubmsvr.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/020_zpsjtubmsvr.jpg.html)

Scanguage testing out in my other Subi
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/021_zps0vgt4zaa.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/021_zps0vgt4zaa.jpg.html)

Moved the electrical units from the front to the side of the strut tower to clean up the bay a bit.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/034_zpsqrib0d7q.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/034_zpsqrib0d7q.jpg.html)

Have to clean up some wiring shinanigans before its swap time.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/033_zpsfq84ckth.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/033_zpsfq84ckth.jpg.html)

Stacking part till its swap time. looking forward to trying out Group N mounts
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/003_zpsosye1w5e.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/003_zpsosye1w5e.jpg.html)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/002_zpsggng6w2u-1.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/002_zpsggng6w2u.jpg.html)
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/001_zpsifwica4x.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/001_zpsifwica4x.jpg.html)

Deckless stereo setup
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/48ece245-5d1c-481b-880a-39ac852b7e4c_zpsaxtlwmft.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/48ece245-5d1c-481b-880a-39ac852b7e4c_zpsaxtlwmft.jpg.html)
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/2787573e-1438-4aff-bd26-d634290d81ae_zps8wtqvtlt.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/2787573e-1438-4aff-bd26-d634290d81ae_zps8wtqvtlt.jpg.html)

[dynonacht]

nice, will watch for updates

[98legwag]

I am excited to see where this goes.

[meepers]

I love that I am not the only person on the forum with the MSD... multiple subaru's disorder..... Going to look great. I hate hate hate white cars.. but why the hell do the legacy's look so damn good in white?

[lord flashheart]

Yes. Im loving this!

[PegTheBlueSubaru]

Where did you get the grill or how do you make it?

[BattleWagon]

Thanks for the support. Even if you hate it you should still be happy i saved her from the scrap yard.lol


I hate hate hate white cars.. but why the hell do the legacy's look so damn good in white?

Oh its my favorite color for a japanese car. That, no abs, and manual windows was the reason i braved the filth that was the interior. Figured you be all for white being from phoenix.lol (heat)


Where did you get the grill or how do you make it?

The grill was the stock grill chopped up and filled with fiberglass.

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/026_zps703c0ad9.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/026_zps703c0ad9.jpg.html)

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/023_zps442ecead.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/023_zps442ecead.jpg.html)

Got the front end together. on the fence about black grill but dont think color matching would look good having black trim and door handles....
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/003_zpszoiaatuo.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/003_zpszoiaatuo.jpg.html)

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/002_zpsmo1ul55a.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/002_zpsmo1ul55a.jpg.html)

Had the afternoon off so i decided to get the drivetrain out for the swap. maybe a week or two away. Cleaned the subframe for some reason cause you always see those.lol
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag12/drewsmith442/004_zps6ubrq4mx.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/drewsmith442/media/004_zps6ubrq4mx.jpg.html)

[meepers]

So inappropriate, photos of your stubbs hanging out..

[lord flashheart]

So inappropriate, photos of your stubbs hanging out..
I lol'd so hard

[BattleWagon]

So inappropriate, photos of your stubbs hanging out..

lol. well we already have a half a dozen axels on the shelf and in switching hubs with anothercar, just gonna swap over in one big piece.

[BattleWagon]

Stubs are off the ground. We had some nice weather up here in Oregon so i took full advantage. Engine, tranny, and suspension all finally swapped over. Excited for some light work as i finish up the final things. Should be on the road by this weekend and i couldnt be more excited.

Old rear brakes and suspension
386

New rear brakes and supension
387

Old front
388

New front
389

Engine installed with a cleaned and resealed oil pan, Group N mounts, new rear main, metal pcv plate, new flywheel and clutch and a torque solutions torque mount
390

[BattleWagon]

Rearend sitting low and looking good. Gonna add some ride height for more functionality soon though.
392

393

Mirrors on.
394

[CaleDeRoo]

Loved the stance on your OB

[BattleWagon]

Thanks bud, this one is basically version 1.5 with a bigger focus on day to day. I like the look too and only scraped on the occasional mean speed bump, but i want a little more peace of mind.

[98legwag]

I am really digging it so far.

[foohfooh]

Bwhaha wait can we talk about that OB for a sec? Does it have fogs mounted on top of fogs? And a mega extendo antennae? And hood spacers? Plus rolled fenders? Mr1 thread linkz?

[98legwag]

Bwhaha wait can we talk about that OB for a sec? Does it have fogs mounted on top of fogs? And a mega extendo antennae? And hood spacers? Plus rolled fenders? Mr1 thread linkz?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/showthread.php?15025-BattleWagon-s-97-Legacy-Outback-(update-1-15)

[shoguy]

Just checked out both of your builds, awesome work!! I love the cages and 5 point belts, can't be too safe out there. That bimmer in the background is awesome, I really need to get to restoring my 72 tii someday!

[BattleWagon]

Thanks man. Basically the blue cars soul is living in the white one now. Thinking about trying an offroad build for the blue one. Love a 2002, such a fun car to drive.

Been driving the wagon for awhile now and i couldnt be more pleased. From its first drive ive only ran into two real problems. First its coils were set way to low and it rubbed right away and chewed up the tires a bit. Added some ride height and rolled the fenders and its not an issue. Second i lost a spring in the ebrake assembly so this piece of metal was making an awful rattle noise. Pulled it out till i can get to the junk yard.

592

LED strip mod on full blast. Of course i missed the c on the water temp guage so it has to come back out...
593

Took her out to an scca autocross event to test her out safely and running a less aggressive -2 -1 camber and almost 10 year old tires i got 3rd in class. So glad i didnt break out in the middle of the track.lol Ill post some videos after i trim the fat on them.
594

595

596

[BattleWagon]

Autocross run


https://youtu.be/KZ0Nwh5UzKU

[BattleWagon]

Ordered the rest of my parts to just about finish up my suspension. Aluminum front control arms and ill call it a day for suspension.

Big Whiteline box, bringing Christmas in October
837

Corner balanced. Was hoping to be under 3000 lbs... 3003 with a half tank of gas.:smt012
838

Front trailing arm bushing gave me absolute hell! longest part off the job.
839

Rearend work this weekend. Front end next weekend.
840

Rear control arms in. Looking clean for the last time.
841

[BattleWagon]

Good old fashioned wire alignment on the rear, but id put my wire alignment against any computer aligner any day of the week.
842
843

[peugoby]

Big Whiteline box, bringing Christmas in October
837


Really jealous of this box of goodies! You have a really nice mod list. What was the most effective of all the Whiteline goodies so far?

Nice auto-x run at PIR. I use to like to run with the ORPCA guys there at the paddocks.

sweet ride.

[BattleWagon]

Only have the rear done right now. Gonna do the front tomorrow or next weekend. Hard to tell one part being better than another. Added 2" of width to the rear and now running -2 camber 0 toe in the rear and it feels absolutely fantastic. Suspension feels like its tracking better for sure. Feeling a lot more of the inputs through the seat.

Thinking about trying to make it to all the nw region scca solo events next year. The more the merrier.

Looking forward to moving on to the engine now....

[BattleWagon]

Got the front end finished with -3 camber and a slight toe out. Loving the feel except when i hit some standing water. gonna pull some camber out of the front and rear till the rainy season is over, or till solo starts again. Few more goodies added for fun, but its about time to start working on a 6 speed swap or a more potent engine....

A arms cleaned up, rebuilt and ready to go back it.
950

951

Great for pedal feel. i would recommend it to anyone.
952

Cage mounted Longacre mirror
953

Always wanted a full sized spare. took some searching to get.
954

[BattleWagon]

Rainy days
955

[98legwag]

I second your view on the GS MCB. I have one on both my cars.

[BattleWagon]

Talking to my friend I was like, remember when you put stainless brake lines on? It's like you put another set on. Lol

[98legwag]

Haha. My buddy Hinyo got a MCB first and told me how good it was. I was skeptical, but he was right. We have talked a few others into getting them.

[Tylerhartman]

Holy mother of whiteline goodies, WANT! Looks great ;) Love the roll cage where did you find it? I wasn't sure if the Cusco would fit since they all looked to be for BG chassis. I'm not sure it would clear the sunroof anyways on mine.

[BattleWagon]

The cage was ordered for a friend who had an account with cusco at the time. It is basically touching the dome light in the bk. there was a lot more space in a gutted bg. Bg with a sunroof might fit, but i remember they ask if it had one when it was ordered.

[BattleWagon]

Picked up a new engine for the legacy. Planning a external rebuild for it and hopefully be in the car in a month or two.
1049

swapped the deep dish wheel for a momo with a spacer.
1050

New custom made shift knob and longacre guages
1051

Torque solutions carrier bearing bushings. thought these were gonna be urethane but turned out to be aluminum.
1052

[Go Mifune]

OK, I'm ignorant. Is that a 3.3?
Also love, love, love the Momo wheel.

[BattleWagon]

Yes its a 3.3

[BattleWagon]

Been awhile since my last up date. A year later and a few more changes.

engine out and ready to go
2187

some tear down
2188

2189

Reloomed the engine harness
2190

Polished up the intake runners
2191

[BattleWagon]

Match ported to the throttle body and smoothed transition to cyl 5&6
2192

2193

2194

2195

2196

[BattleWagon]

2197

2198

2199

2200

2201

[BattleWagon]

Back on the road
2202

Way too much work for the few ounces i lost
2203

not gonn be throwing passengers around as much
2204

Upgraded the fronts and added HP Plus' all around
2205


2206

[Go Mifune]

The 3.3 is in and done? How awesome is it?

[BattleWagon]

Everything is done besides mating the exhaust to the manifolds. Only put a few miles on it so far since its so loud but that should be wrapped up this weekend. Its hard to find time to work on your own car when its what you do for a living. The few miles i did run however felt great. Down low torque was noticable right away, but i have been driving around a torqueless RX8 while its down so i may have just forgot what torque feels like.

[BattleWagon]

Exhaust is done and its gonna be insured tomorrow. Very excited to be driving my Subaru again. I miss the functionality of a wagon.

2210

2211

[BattleWagon]

Decided to get on the dyno before my track day in april. I was planning on 5-6 runs to zero in my FPR and i also wanted to test the iris valve at fully open and fully closed, alas my clutch couldn't hold and and id only got 1 1/2 runs in. It was looking good to hit my 200hp goal. gained about 6 hp everywhere with a 3 psi fuel adjustment before it slipped.

2214

[Go Mifune]

What did you do to get enough room for the radiator? Also, are you still going to make the April track day? My '97 L wagon is very curious about the 3.3 swap.

[BattleWagon]

What did you do to get enough room for the radiator? Also, are you still going to make the April track day? My '97 L wagon is very curious about the 3.3 swap.

First i measured a few things up front and put that into the Summit search engine to find one close enough to my dimensions. HAd to cut the metal bumper support in the center, trim back some of the bottom of the bumper skin and modify the grill a bit for the for the filler neck. The mount was super easy after i stopped trying to be too creative. I just used aluminum stock for brackets and used the hood lach mounting holes since it had to be removed for space. Made it to the track day but borrowed someones elses car. Was moving at the time so i just didnt have the time to replace the clutch. However on a different level, I was pleasantly supprised with how my car performed loaded with about 800 lbs of mostly tools. Got up to passing speed easier then expected and averaged about 28mpgs on my move. Im loving the eg33 and with how cheap and easy it was to swap. Only on the hook for about $1100 total and thats with a new water pump timing belt and all the exterior engine seals. Plus the wiring is super easy and fab to mount a radiator was nothing to worry about. DO IT!

Here you can see the top and bottom mounts i made to mount the rad to the car
2380

Here you can see where i cut the bumper beam and the cut out on the side of the grill for the fill neck
2381

[CaleDeRoo]

Nice looks clean. I'm going to start my swap soon, and hope to have it done before the end of summer. As far as radiator goes, the guy doing my MS3 has a turbo EG33 Bugeye and said he was able to use a XJ radiator in the same location you have yours and it didn't require an cutting. Not sure how the space in a Bugeye compares to our cars but I'll take some measurements and give it a shot. For $70 ish I don't have much to lose.


He's also trying to sell me his turbo kit, which he ran as a 5psi non intercooled setup for years without issue but we'll see what happens.

[BattleWagon]

Thanks. Im sure there are a few ways to get the job done with the radiator fitment. I chose mine since it fit within my dimensions, should be able to handle the heat load im planning on putting through it and i dont have to use a separate expansion tank. I imagine the bugeye would have a little more room lengthwise since it has narrower headlights. The cutting wasnt really a big deal but i do have access to the right tools and the know how so i can see how it might be an issue for someone else

The eg33 block is almost identical to the bullet proof 2.2 but with larger cylinder walls so i bet it loved 5 psi. I have a Garrett 6063 waiting in the garage till i have a 6speed in. Barely trust my old ass 5speed with the stock output.