98 legacy outback + wrx powertrain, konis, AWIC, Twinscroll

[elsanto]

PHOTOS!
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/elsanto_parts_2006/outback/IMG_1275.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/elsanto_parts_2006/outback/IMG_1276.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/elsanto_parts_2006/outback/IMG_1278.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/elsanto_parts_2006/outback/IMG_1277.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/elsanto_parts_2006/outback/IMG_1279.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/elsanto_parts_2006/outback/IMG_1280.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/elsanto_parts_2006/outback/IMG_1281.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/elsanto_parts_2006/outback/IMG_1282.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k72/elsanto_parts_2006/outback/IMG_1284.jpg




Ok so i'm about 3 months into this project (i know i know..) and finally making some progress.. this is more a thread to share what i've learned so far, and ask questions. post photos and discuss.

Started out:
98 outback limited blown headgasket 170k miles on the car. (if your going to do a swap buy a younger car, you will thank yourself later!)

bought a complete 02 wrx guts, engine/trans/interior/suspension etc.

a set of 4/2 pot calipers that were very ugly, I stripped and painted them gloss black with whit subie decals.

Koni/ground control setup from a wrx with 07 sti tophats (not sure how this will work camber wise)

I'm using the rear subframe out of the wrx. STI rear lateral links and trailing arms (again not sure how this will work)

rear sti lateral links didnt work.. you'd need to use the STI axles also which i do not have :) went back to the outback ones i had.

to this day I have everything out of the car, and the trans/engine back in. with a full PROTHANE bushing kit on all the suspension joints.

all wiring is completed.

I've found a few peculiarities with the outback platform.

Since i'm lowering it I removed all of the steel spacers that are between most of the mounting points (engine X-member trans, rear end etc) So if you remove these you will need a bunch of the WRX suspension bolts.. basically everything that goes through one of these spacers.. INCLUDING the front x-membr bolts which are 16.00 each!

The peice that links the steering column to the steering rack with the two U-joints in it is too long after removing these spacers, so you'll need a legacy or lgt peice here. also you will need the legacy steering column as the outback one is SHORTER (go figure)

I'll post up more as I go..

thanks for any comments/support etc.

[auspex]

welcome to Sl-i!!

Certainly sounds like a fun swap, let us know what's going on. I'm sure there are a lot of OB owners here who wish to do the same.

-mike

[Huffer]

Awesome. Get some pics up of the spacers & bolts etc. :)

[deadlydave]

This sounds great, keep us informed.

[Reason]

You don't see many outbacks with a WRX swap. Get those pics up buddy..

[elsanto]

well I'm over here at the garage working on the car all day.

I'll try to get some photos once everything is cleaned up a bit. shop is a mess at the moment.


today Put the rear diff carrier, rear diff, STI lateral links, rear hubs, trailing arms, abs sensors.. etc rear end is almost done. not totally sure how to get the rear axles to seat into the diff, but i'm sure ill figure it out once i get some food in me. sucks working solo!

[caoutback]

To this day I have everything out of the car, and the trans/engine back in. with a full PROTHANE bushing kit on all the suspension joints.

Since i'm lowering it I removed all of the steel spacers that are between most of the mounting points (engine X-member trans, rear end etc) So if you remove these you will need a bunch of the WRX suspension bolts.. basically everything that goes through one of these spacers.. INCLUDING the front x-membr bolts which are 16.00 each!

The peice that links the steering column to the steering rack with the two U-joints in it is too long after removing these spacers, so you'll need a legacy or lgt peice here.

SWEEEET!!!!!! I'm going to be lowering my 98 LOB and was wondering about those darn spacers..... don't know if anyone else who has lowered theirs has removed them or not but figured I might as well do so. Now, just out of curiosity, what front sub frame are you using? I'm thinking once my OB has another 100k on it or the engine becomes an anchor, I'd do the WRX engine and tranny swap. I know the front cross member needs to be changed due to Up Pipe and all but I'm kind of leary of using a WRX on am OB. Are you going to be using a TMIC or FMIC?
DEFINITELY POST PICS and keep us posted!!!!!!

[elsanto]

yeah you have to use the wrx x-member.. it fits no problem! you will need what i mentioned above from the wrx also.. I'd suggest just getting a lower mileage NA trans/diff and swapping yours out, but if you find a good deal on a wrecked WRX then no shame in putting that in..

I'm planning on using an AWIC which uses a front mounted heat exchanged (radiator) and then pumps fluid up to the intercooler which is wehre the stock one would be. :)

[redlegacygt]

do you have the use the wrx gas tank with your swap? i thought i remember reading somewhere where either the 97 or 98 has to use the wrx gas tank.. although i could just be loosing my mind. :lol:

[elsanto]

not sure why I'd have to use the wrx gas tank? We did this swap on a buddys Outback and left his stock one in.

I have the wrx tank though and ill put it in if i have any issues with that department :)

[sheepdog]

I ended up having to swap my gas tank, but I think it has something to do with what year wrx the setup came out of. Mine was 05', and there's some sensor in the tank that we needed if I remember right. If you have an 02-03 motor, it's unnecessary.

Good luck! sounds like it's going to be sick buddy. I love swaps.

[elsanto]

got the car started last night!! w00 hoo really coming together now

[deadlydave]

got the car started last night!! w00 hoo really coming together now

That's awesome!

[blueb3]

*ahem*


TTIWWOP!!!!!!

[elsanto]

ok! i drove it aorund the block today! felt very cool..

even though it has no exhaust, very weak brakes (need to be bled) and a ver y gripp clutch (probably needs to be bled also)

so now i can actually wash her and take photos for you tittywoppers out there.. if anyone is still folowing haha..

[caoutback]

POST PICS!!! Post pics!!! Would definitely like to see her.

[Sarra]

How difficult was it to swap the rear subframe? That's the #2 thing I want to do on my wagon.

[elsanto]

why would you want to swap your rear subframe? unless yours is bent or something i dont really see a reason to.

but its not terribly difficult. just have to remove alot of bits and peices.

[Sarra]

I want to run a newer suspension. Specifically, a BH outback or WRX suspension.

[elsanto]

I'm no expert, but I dont think the rear subframe has anything to do with running a wrx suspension.. if you want to widen the track you will need wrx axles, lateral links in the rear and front control arms.. the rear subframe can stay the same.

as for the BH didnt they switch to a spring/seperate strut instead of the mac pherson jame like the wrx/bd body styles?

[Sarra]

I'm no expert, but I dont think the rear subframe has anything to do with running a wrx suspension.. if you want to widen the track you will need wrx axles, lateral links in the rear and front control arms.. the rear subframe can stay the same.

as for the BH didnt they switch to a spring/seperate strut instead of the mac pherson jame like the wrx/bd body styles?

Doesn't matter to me what the rear track is.

The BG outbacks used the same rear suspension setup as the BK does, but the BH/BE used a multi-link rear, where the older cars used a macpherson setup. Or opposite of that. I can't remember. And yeah, if I want to run a WRX suspension, I'll have to use a WRX rear sub-frame, if I want to run a BH outback rear suspension, likewise, BH rear sub-frame.

I don't know what I want to do with Suspension at this point. I might have to get another car, I'm gonna want one Legacy GT wagon for playing on the road, and one for playing off the road. :lol: I'll have one lowered, with large wheels and low profile tires for tarmac, and the other lifted with 15" wheels and high profile AT tires. :eek: As so many have told me, I'm indecisive.

[elsanto]

Bump drove the car to work today!

need to take photos i know i know, and i definitely need to get new springs!

[deadlydave]

great to hear man, IT LIVES!!! :grin:

[elsanto]

slow to update i know..

car is running like crap because i mangled the front o2 sensor on re-installation of the motor.. be really careful with these things as the new one was 150 beans from subgenuine :(

i promise photos by the new year!

[AussieDan]

I demand photos!

[elsanto]

BUMP for photos.. finally!

[elsanto]

update! photos

looks awesome, think you're going to be putting it on a dyno anytime soon to see what kind of power you're making?

also, which twinscroll turbo are you using?

[AussieDan]

Looks great man!

[elsanto]

Just a motivational update,

everythings working great! i've got a few creaks and clunks in the suspension that i've been too lazy to trouble shoot. engine and trans are working amazing though! she's a blast to drive.

[deadlydave]

oh sweet. That's a 2-tone terror you got there. :-) makes me smile. Excellent job.

[elsanto]

Folks, I'm selling this car if anyone is interested. need to move it quickly since I have a new vehicle.

Please see the FS forum.

[RS22b]

Doug your selling it???

What did you end up getting?

_billy ;)

[elsanto]

Billy,
thanks again for all your help building this. couldnt have done it without your parts bin!

I'm getting an 08 speed3, hope nobody flames me for that!

[Mr.Eckles]

hey i have a 97 LGT and i just bought a totalled bugeye im swappin everything i can, im pretty good at electrical but im new to the wire harness game lol (im 20) was wondering where to start???? im thinkin interior and wondering what the dash swap is like?? any tips would be sooo appreciated