caoutback's 98 Outback UPDATE redone 2/2012

[caoutback]

As purchased
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s171/calgearhead/Legacy006.jpg
2008
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/EbayIntakePainted-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/05/Legacy009-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/05/Legacy0071-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/05/Legacy012-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/05/Legacy010-2.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/Legacy0081-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/Legacy011-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/Legacy014-1.jpg
Goodness it's been a long while since I've updated or visited this site. LOTS o' changes in the last couple years and a new direction on my ride. Moved to a new house with an unmaintained road and 1/2 mile driveway that a lowered car will not make up (on purpose to keep people away) so had to give up the "Sybir clone" idea. Had Whiteline strut braces f+r for a while but removed them for a future project. Took out my neighbors barbed wire fence and scratched the wagon up pretty good making me no longer really care about keeping it "nice". Blew the motor at 135K and was down for a while. Replaced with JDM one. Decided to take it out and see what it would do wheeling wise and realized the overhangs sucked for where I went so had a new bumper made. Dented both rockers pretty good on a different line while wheeling due to new bumper not scraping everything anymore. Then finally blew a tire and said f' it and lifted it :twisted: . Now it rides on 215/70/16s and Forester struts and springs with a Highguys 3 inch lift. On to the pics.
Before lift with new bumper and right before the rocker dents
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/DSC_2442-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/DSC_2412-1.jpg
As it sits now
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/019-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/0161-1.jpg https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/0101-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/0031-1.jpg https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/028-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/07/004-1.jpg
Gotta tuck the exhaust up but other wise is an absolute blast. Skid plates, rear bumper next up and Aussie D/r hopefully by end of year

[caoutback]

bump for update

[Plays_with_Toys]

The tint looks great. Really clean over all. Why are you switching to a non-scooped hood? Also, are you planning new wheels?

[caoutback]

Why are you switching to a non-scooped hood? Also, are you planning new wheels?
Non-scooped hood to smooth out the lines of the wagon and it's staying N/A so not needed. As for wheels, I've got '02 WRX rims and am thinking of getting some LGT 16s, that and if I can find a decently priced set of 98-01 RS rims I'd like them as well.

[caoutback]

Bump for Whiteline Strut Braces
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/01/86Subie0042-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/01/86Subie0061-1.jpg

[Reason]

It's getting there lurker :wink:

[caoutback]

It's getting there lurker :wink:
Slowly but surely, gotta get my Brat done 1st though.

[ProjectLGT97]

Thats looking pretty good. Should look even better when you get that wing installed :wink:

[caoutback]

Thats looking pretty good. Should look even better when you get that wing installed :wink:
That's what I'm trying to find and accomplish ASAP because the wing makes it look ALOT better. Then it's time for the Whiteline Control springs and WRX front brakes and H6 rears :grin: .

[caoutback]

*delete for update into first post*

[csweston]

Looking good, i love lifted subies just as much as slammed ones.

[caoutback]

Thanks! Wasn't my original intention to lift it but then it happens. Was going to be the last one and go figure it's the first one of mine to get done. Still gotta work on the BRATs (got a second one for stupid cheap) but they are 400 miles away at the moment and I gotta drag one down here next.

[superu]

Nice strut towers. What diameter are they, or are they oval?
How do you like that intake? Does it lug out your low end? I did a cone in place of the air box and lost ALL low end... Now I read you're sopposed to clean up the piping between the MAF and the intake/throtle body (like you've got), but i just wonder how yours runs with the whole intake redone...

nice build and updates! It sure has come a long way, huh? ;)
funfun!!

[anothernord]

Awesome! It seems like most people try to get cars as low to the ground as possible. I like the opposite, however.

[subydrift]

Superu, as for the hybrid intake like caoutback has installed, they are the best mod for the Outbacks. I finished installing mine last night and it actually feels like it gained low end power/torque. The daily drivability is much better!

caoutback, your car is sick!!!

[caoutback]

superu, my strut braces were oval and manufactured by Whiteline. As for the CAI, it's been 3 years plus since stock and I honestly don't recall what stock was like other than it fell flat on it's face at 3k and now pulls to redline :twisted: . I read up on ALL the different forums about it before doing it and found it was the best way to go. Will have to change back to the stock airbox (if I remember right) when I get my exhaust and cams done but that's WAY down the road after I get my D/r and everything else done. On that note, the 96 GT (w/o the "silencer") is the best stock intake and the one i would like to find.
anothernord, my original insperation was Sybir's wagon (SIC SIC SIC!!!) but moving to where I did and my driveway and road home not permitting lowered rides, figured I'd have more fun lifting it as I already ruined the paint and might as well enjoy it more. Granted it's my DD and now I have to worry about "over wheeling" it (breaking it) but I enjoy it a lot more. The only down side is it doesn't handle as well as it did before but it's a hell of a lot more fun :cool: .
Thanks subydrift and everyone for the positive comments and yes, it has come a long way, and gone into right field but, things change over time......

[caoutback]

Went out to Gorman the other weekend and had a little too much fun and got stuck :-( . Still had a blast and got it all dirty. Now for pics.
First up some flexing w/o a RSB-
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011002-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011001-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011003-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011009-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011010-1.jpg
Stuck-
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011030-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011031-1.jpg https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011033-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011035-1.jpg
Aftermath-
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011037-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011038-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011039-1.jpg
Gotta get more pics off my friends camera

[superu]

Went out to Gorman the other weekend and had a little too much fun and got stuck :-( . Still had a blast and got it all dirty. Now for pics.
First up some flexing w/o a RSB-
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011002-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011001-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011003-1.jpgGotta get more pics off my friends camera

Looks like the 2.5 and 4.11 FD pull pretty well, as I suspected (i.e. crawling up the rocks at the beginning of the fotos).
I think you'll agree with me that we could use really use some lower gearing (a low range in particular LOL ;) for this stuff.

Good work though overall!! :smt026

[superu]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/HungryValleySpring2011003-1.jpg

I have to say, that oil pan sure looks scarily naked down there! ;)

[anothernord]

The Australian version of the Outback had a dual-range 5MT... Time for you to source one.

[caoutback]

Looks like the 2.5 and 4.11 FD pull pretty well, as I suspected (i.e. crawling up the rocks at the beginning of the fotos).
I think you'll agree with me that we could use really use some lower gearing (a low range in particular LOL ;) for this stuff.

Good work though overall!! :smt026
Thanks. As for the 2.5 and torque with the 4.11s and 28s (or anything really), no dice with the stick. I could not crawl up the rock in the first pic from a dead stop like I would have liked to have done but it works good enough for the most part. And YES a Low would be to die for (will be trying to source one this fall if funds allow) but I want to keep the AWD so I have to use the Aussie version.
As for oil pan being naked, yes it is and is the reason I got it stuck (slow and scrapedge). Will be getting a skid plate done sometime soon.

[superu]

The Australian version of the Outback had a dual-range 5MT... Time for you to source one.

yeah, copy that!! I've been researching this for 3+ years and TRYING desperately to get someone down under to help me out with one... I've gotten lots of good help with getting the info I wanted (low range gearing and final drive gearing specs and what came in which models, etc.), but for getting someone to commit to going junkyarding to pull one, pack it and ship it, well that's another story... :smt022

but I remain patient and hopeful! :smt023

[heli-mech]

If you are interested in a EJ Dual Range transmission contact Dan @ "Four Star Motorsports". He has a pair of these transmissions in his shop. Four Star is located in Ontario, Canada.

Here is a copy of our communications from a local Canadian forum.

Dan.......

"I have a two 4.11 forester and Legacy transmissions that have the dual range final drive, a low gear, still a 4.11.

Here is some more info on the transmission. I have a second one too, but the sticker has come off, I would have to count the
final drive for you. (turned out to be a 3.90)

Transmission code: 6J-TY757XRBAB
2004-2006 Legacy JDM and Australian models.

5-speed manual transmission
Gear ratio - 1st 3.454
Gear ratio - 2nd 2.062
Gear ratio - 3rd 1.448
Gear ratio - 4th 1.088
Gear ratio - 5th 0.780 -
Gear ratio - reverse 3.333
Final reduction gear ratio 4.111
Dual range reduction ratio 1.196"

http://www.fourstarmotorsports.com/Cont ... fault.aspx


Four Star is a great business to deal with and Dan is very knowledgeable and has access to a huge variety of rare Subaru parts. Hope this is of some help.

Cheers,
Ian

[superu]

Thanks for the Info Ian, this is VERY helpful!!