Getting a Subaru

[HotBoxer]

I am in the market for a new vehicle in the next few weeks. I am looking for a BD LGT and am planning on doing either a JDM or USDM WRX STi 6MT swap including suspension, brakes and possibly rear diff. I guess the question I am asking is whether or not I should go for an LGT or an L model for insurance purposes seeing as how I am going to be swapping motor and the majortiy of the running gear in the next 6 months. Also, I am wondering what parts can be swapped from an STi. Thanks for your help.

[Kraziken]

I wouldn't worry about the L versus a GT as far as insurance goes. You'll probably want some of the body pieces such as the bumper, rear wing, etc. that goes with the GT.

As far as parts, the whole drivetrain can be swapped. You could also swap the instrument cluster.

[HotBoxer]

I was also thinking the same thing about the body parts and whatnot. Ive found an 04 STi that has some front end damage for 10K. Thanks for your reply Kraziken. I think it was your car that gave me the inspiration to start this project. If I could have a car even remotely as bada$$ as yours I would be ecstatic.

[Kraziken]

I was also thinking the same thing about the body parts and whatnot. Ive found an 04 STi that has some front end damage for 10K. Thanks for your reply Kraziken. I think it was your car that gave me th inspiration to start this project. If I could have a car even remotely as badass asa yours I would be ecstatic.

Thanks for the compliments. :grin:

If you could get the whole car for $10k, it would probably be worth it. I guess I probably came under that price in just parts, but that was just for the engine and transmission. But if you had the rims intact, seats etc. You would be ahead for sure. You could then probably sell the rest of the scrap to recoup some of the costs.

Did you own a Legacy before? Just curious what would take you down this path since most seem to be drawn to the GC8 Impreza's for swaps.

[HotBoxer]

Well, my mom has a 97 outback but Ive just been attracted to the 3rd gen leggys for a while. The main reason for the swap is the fact that I am 6'8'' and a wrx is just too darn small. Plus the fact that everybody and their brother has a wrx so I want to be different.

[Sarra]

A BE would be good, there's a thread on NASIOC, user ten80 just did a full WRX driveline swap into a BE. That would be a good place to check, it's a project log.

For an STi 6MT swap, you'd better get the rear diff, it's got a different final drive than any other Subaru MT. Or you could run larger/smaller rear tires, and keep the stock rear diff, but that would look rather funny. Plus it would break rather easily... :lol:

[Kraziken]

I think he meant 2nd gen legacy's, since he said BD in his original post.

Just wondering if you might have considered picking up a used 2005 Legacy.
Edmunds TMV price is around $16k for a the base, not limited turbo Legacy.

10k in STI parts, plus a used Legacy to start with, let's say $7k. Plus the labor, you would be into a newer car with a warranty, plus maybe some money left over to do an ecu flash.

I had quote a bit of money already invested in my car when I went and test drove a new Legacy. If I was bone stock, I probably would have traded it in.

[HotBoxer]

I did mean the BD. I just graduated from Denver Automotive and Diesel College so I am prepared to do all of the work myself with the help of one of my fellow graduates. In my eyes, the new legacys are much like the wrx in the fact that everyones got one. I do like the way they look but I would prefer not to have a car payment and just pay for the car outright. I also think that if I get one of the newer legacys, I will be kicking myself for not getting the BD. I just enjoy being different. Plus the fact that not really anyone has any appreciation for the BD except for all the guys on this forum. Ill always have a soft spot for the BD so it just seems right in my mind. I would also take alot more pride in the car if I could say that Ive done all of the work to create an amazing machine.

[Plays_with_Toys]

Hey hotboxer welcome! Are you also on www.awdpirates.net (http://www.awdpirates.net)? VERY valuable resource for a colorado awd nut.

Swaps are pretty difficult but can be very rewarding. Some things to consider for your starting shell is interior features. GT's/Outbacks will have leather options for seating, also power seats and things like that. With a swap, you'll be upgrading suspension anyway, so the differences between an L, GT, and outback are becoming less and less apparent, and so the final call is on exterior modifications.

But first I would consider a forester 2.5xt. While it is the easy way out, they are another car that is not very popular but are incredibly fast. This would put you into a relatively new car, where you wouldn't have to spend money on fixing worn out bushings and such. You can get a forester to STi power levels and speed easily. You would have a car on the road and you wouldn't have to deal with the months of wiring and parts swapping.

Since you're in colorado you're pretty well set for knowledge base. Many of the swapped cars started here and there are several large motor authorities down here that know subaru's like the back of their hand (including troy matta and matt monson).

[phi11]

(I think that I sould make t-shirts that say "BD fever!)

[HotBoxer]

I do have the BD fever. I jsut cant seem to shake it. I am not on awdpirates but I do lurk around there occasionally mainly looking at classifieds and such. I have not thought about a Forester but would that require boosting an NA motor. If that can be avoided I would like to but also a possibility. My thinking on that is if I find a semi high mileage motor and try to boost it I might find myself doing more work and spending more money trying to maintain it than just swapping an almost new motor and tranny into the car. But you guys are the experts and Im trying to figure out some options here as my 91 Explorer is getting ready to pass 300k and it really needs to go before I have to put more money into that.

[Kraziken]

I did mean the BD. I just graduated from Denver Automotive and Diesel College so I am prepared to do all of the work myself with the help of one of my fellow graduates. In my eyes, the new legacys are much like the wrx in the fact that everyones got one. I do like the way they look but I would prefer not to have a car payment and just pay for the car outright. I also think that if I get one of the newer legacys, I will be kicking myself for not getting the BD. I just enjoy being different. Plus the fact that not really anyone has any appreciation for the BD except for all the guys on this forum. Ill always have a soft spot for the BD so it just seems right in my mind. I would also take alot more pride in the car if I could say that Ive done all of the work to create an amazing machine.

The new Legacy's are still a pretty small elusive group when it comes to enthusiasts.

However, I can't disagree with you. I like the look of the 2nd gen cars more.

I will say the the new cars have some advantages as well. The interior layout and build is considerably better. And don't even get me started on cup holders. :grin: I believe the new cars can also run wider rubber without having to roll fenders. With the right body kit, I think they look very sharp. Stock look I think leaves something to be desired.

I won't discount that you would have something a bit more unique. And it is definately a bit more fun to have something that is out of the ordinary. The bonus of building anything yourself is you'll always have bit more pride in it.

[Plays_with_Toys]

The forester 2.5XT is a 2.5 liter block with a WRX turbo. It's got grunt downlow and spools quicker than bill clinton in a room of interns. Here's an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSdchWmri4

If you've got the money, and you really believe you'll keep this project car enough years to make this endeavor worth it, go for it by all means. The forester is a great pick for a car that's ready to go and can be sold with good resale value in 2 or 3 years (especially in colorado)

[HotBoxer]

I could see getting an XT but I just cant seem to get over the stigma of the soccer mom when driving it. My mom was going to give me her outback but I felt the same way about that. Like I said I drive an explorer and Im really looking for something smaller and more efficient. I would like the space but I gotta say a sweet BD will always give me a chubby. Thanks for all the input guys. I might actually try to get RixBD6's LGT out of Philly. Well see how that goes down.

[Kraziken]

Yeah, for me the Forester is not big enough to do what I want, and short on the looks department. I would equate it to eating oatmeal.

It's good, it's filling, but I can't really get very excited about it. A very good all purpose vehicle and probably one of the best as far as the small SUV market goes.

[GrassyKnoll]

The forester 2.5XT is a 2.5 liter block with a WRX turbo. It's got grunt downlow and spools quicker than bill clinton in a room of interns. Here's an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSdchWmri4

If you've got the money, and you really believe you'll keep this project car enough years to make this endeavor worth it, go for it by all means. The forester is a great pick for a car that's ready to go and can be sold with good resale value in 2 or 3 years (especially in colorado)

Rediculous!

I absolutely love my moms 04 FXT. I would highly recommend it. If I wasn't in love with the STi, I would be buying one of those.

[Wiscon_Mark]

You won't feel like a soccer mom when that turbo spools and you hear the exhaust note @ WOT :twisted:

[HotBoxer]

yeah I guess I cant complain about the turbo but that BD fever is runnin strong. Its one of the sexiest cars Ive ever seen aside from a classic Shelby GT500.