My BJ project... knowledge and suggestions welcome

[JBearSVT]

Not sure if this is the right place for this topic, if not I apologize. It looked like the most relevant board. Anyway-

So here it is, my '91 Legacy AWD wagon 5spd. Hasn't seen asphalt in about five years, or a wash for that matter. Honestly, I haven't turned the key since it was given to me half a decade ago. The one time I drove it it ran pretty strong. IIRC, it has about 120K on it, but I keep forgetting to check the odo and it's still sitting at my bosses house.

Anyway, I've finally decided to mobilize it for a winter beater, and once it's reliable I'd like to make it a low budget sleeper project. Relatively speaking, I know next to nothing about these cars and would welcome any input from anyone who can give it. Besides the obvious (tires, battery, belts, hoses, mice, cobwebs and acorns) is there anything else I should be concerned with? Any information on this engine and it's potential, etc, or things to be on the lookout for? Please excuse the crappy cameraphone pics, I forgot to bring my camera to work today. What do you guys think? Worth a go or walk away?

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/100507_12181.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/100507_12182.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/100507_12201.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/100507_12191.jpg

[Bdubs]

Looks worth it to me. The only thing I had wrong with my car when it sat for a couple years, were some seepage from the seals in the engine. Mice took shelter in mine as well, but luckily they didn't chew any wires. If it still starts without problem, just visually look for any dry rot on the hoses and replace all the fluids, such as tranny fluid, differential oil, antifreeze. It may be a good idea to run a product called Seafoam through everything including the gas lines. I'd also suggest new plugs and wires.
The ej22 series engine is strong, its very reliable. My 95 has 220k miles, and the engine still runs.

[JBearSVT]

Thanks!

[Huffer]

I'd like that intake pipe in the last pic - the one that goes from the throttle body to the MAF box... :)

[deadlydave]

The EJ22 engine in that beast is one reliable bugger. It's also great on gas. It even a bit zippy, once you get it started.

But, powerful it is not. You can definitely make a fun, sharp-handling car. Check out the 'member rides 1' section.

[JBearSVT]

Finally got around to doing something with it today. Stage 1: new battery and the first bath in at least five years. Amazingly, it started right up and ran fine on the first try- apparently I'm too used to Ford products. My "quick wash" that I'm not remotely happy with turned out to be a three hour ordeal, but at least it's clean...er. Turns out it has more like 205,000 miles on it, so my previous plan to put a turbo on it isn't looking so smart anymore. Anyway, here's a few more pics of nothing special

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/Picture004.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/Picture005.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/Picture006.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/Picture007.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/Picture008.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/Picture009.jpg

So, where's the best place to look for some new fenders? They're pretty bad, especially the passenger side.

[StatGSR]

wow that cleaned up quite nicely!

[ryu_haneda]

wow that cleaned up quite nicely!

I'll say. WOW. :shock: Am I the only one that sees this wagon redone with some choice jdm or edm parts?

I say keep it non-turbo for now. This thing could look really good. All the best to you, and may God bless this restoration! This is a pretty interesting find...

[JBearSVT]

Am I the only one that sees this wagon redone with some choice jdm or edm parts?


Please expound. Remember, if I haven't seen it at least a few times in SCCM, I probably don't know what it is... I may not anyway. That's why I'm here. I figure anyone in here knows more about this car than I do, not to mention what could be done to it. I know my Mustangs inside and out, but this thing is an almost total mystery to me. I'm sure there are tons of improvements I could make, I just don't know what any of them are. Yet.

Thanks for the comments! It really looks better in the pictures than it actually is, but it did clean up better than I hoped and I'm far from through detailing. The inside still needs a lot of work before I'll let my wife see it... lol! Hopefully I'll get it registered tomorrow, then things can really start happening.

[deadlydave]

JDM or EDM

Parts from the Japanese or European market versions of the legacy. They had better looking front bumpers, and different tail lights among other things.

[ryu_haneda]

JDM or EDM

Parts from the Japanese or European market versions of the legacy. They had better looking front bumpers, and different tail lights among other things.

COUGH twin-turbo engines COUGH :grin:

If you're looking for the best OEM parts, it's Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) parts that will steal the show. The Japanese Legacy wagons were running around with twin-turbos and niiiiice looking body kits stock from the factory.

You could build quite a sleeper up if that car can be restored. If you want some ideas, go see the older generation Subarus at http://bbs.legacycentral.org/ (not knocking SL-i in any way, I just know they're themed way more for that gen. car).

Yeah, and keep up the pics as the progress continues! I wanna see more of this thing!

[Sarra]

AUDM? Aussie Domestic Market. :lol:

That car is in amazing shape. Perfect for a low budget sleeper. Pull the engine, throw some EJ25 heads on it, throw a WRX Xmember in, WRX exhaust and turbo, some EM, and you're done.

[JBearSVT]

You guys read my mind, that's exactly what I want to do. When my boss first gave me the car (five years ago) I went online and found out what the European models had, and so my thought at the time was to try and get the factory performance parts we missed out on here in the states, or try to use STi stuff. I know a lot of this stuff will work, just not what.

At this point, I'm going to see if the engine is still any good. It's been sitting in the dirt for five years with over 200K on it, so for the first few months it's going to be like a walking skeleton- just keep whacking it to see what falls off. Depending on how much money it's going to cost to make this engine reliable, a swap may just be in order. Right now I just want to drive it through the winter and worry about upgrades in the spring when I put my Cobra back on the road.

The only thing I may "upgrade" asap is the shifter, if there's an upgrade for this one out there. I've gotten spoiled by the plethora of high quality billet shifters for my Mustangs, this stock Subaru one feels like stirring spaghetti with a dildo. It's going to drive me nuts in no time. Do I have options? Where should I look?

How about those fenders? The passenger side will likely fly right off on the highway, it's completely detached at the base.

Also- tires. IIRC, it's got 185/70/14's right now, and they're toast. I don't like the size, and they aren't really any cheaper than 15's, I don't want to invest in tires for these wheels if they're a real handicap (like they look like they must be). I don't mind the steel wheels, but I'd like bigger ones- is there a thread somewhere to reference which year/model Subies I can grab wheels and tires from to step up without clearance issues or speedo problems?

[deadlydave]

...I've gotten spoiled by the plethora of high quality billet shifters for my Mustangs, this stock Subaru one feels like stirring spaghetti with a dildo...
... is there a thread somewhere to reference which year/model Subies I can grab wheels and tires from to step up without clearance issues or speedo problems?...

First off, that was hillarious, I almost spit out my coffee. :lol:

Sencondly, as far as I know, any subaru wheels except 2005 and newer STi and Tribeca wheels will fit on that car. You just have to get the proper tires to keep the speedo/odo matched.

[ryu_haneda]

...any subaru wheels except 2005 and newer STi and Tribeca wheels will fit on that car. You just have to get the proper tires to keep the speedo/odo matched.

That's something I've never heard of... good call. I always thought as long as you just get the proper size rims and tires and watch your offsets (and factor in height and possible rubbing issues) you'd be ok.

But seriously... there are so many possible rim choices it's almost like being a kid in a candy store.

Need help picking OEM rims? Try the following (compatibility not guaranteed though):

USDM
1. 1997 to 2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS rims
2. 1997 and up Subaru Forester rims
3. 1997 and up Subaru Legacy GT rims
4. 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX (BBS rims, these were an option on the car)

JDM
1. Sti rims... go nuts. These things look great.
2. Legacy B4 rims
3. 1997, 98-era Subaru Legacy GT/TT rims (they can be found stock on the year's GT-B E-tune wagon)

[JBearSVT]

I'll probably settle for whatever I can get into cheap, that won't draw much attention. Black is preferred, which is why I'm happy with crappy steel wheels. I just know I'm not going to get anything remotely like handling prowess out of a 70 series sidewall- in the Mustang world a 225/50 tire is considered both narrow and cushy, so these look like little motorcycle tires to me. I'd like to at least get down into a 60 series, so I'll need at least a 15" wheel. I've been watching ebay, but apparently what I want is so mundane nobody is even bothering to try to sell theirs...

[deadlydave]

any wheel from a 98-2001 RS, 16", looks amazing on any subaru it's ever been put on. :cool:

[JBearSVT]

LOL

No... CHEAP!

[deadlydave]

I got my entire set of 4, with tires for $400.

These guys have some cheap wheels.
http://www.victoriatire.com/w_car_search.html

[JBearSVT]

Whew... that's not bad at all. I assume that wasn't retail...? Couldn't be. I guess I should look here at SLi in the classifieds too, I should have thought of that first. :roll:

[deadlydave]

Whew... that's not bad at all. I assume that wasn't retail...? Couldn't be. I guess I should look here at SLi in the classifieds too, I should have thought of that first. :roll:

I got the set of 4 off of another member who lived locally. Nasioc.com's classifieds are going to have some serious wheel deals too. The RS wheels are getting harder to find, since they can accommodate some pretty impressive brakes people are snatching them up.

[JBearSVT]

Wow- there's a lot of wheels on that site. Mostly big, 17"+. I'll keep an eye on it though. Will these fit?->forester wheels (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-02-Subaru-Forester-16-Alloy-Wheels-Rims-Tires-OEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66482QQihZ009QQitemZ190172007083QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

[Khanhfucious]

Am I the only one that giggles when they read the title?

[Sarra]

Am I the only one that giggles when they read the title?

:lol: No you most certainly aren't. :lol:

[JBearSVT]

I thought it was pretty humorous myself when I typed it... didn't really see any way around it though.

[Reason]

There's nothing wrong with a nice clean BJ. :twisted:

[deadlydave]

Wow- there's a lot of wheels on that site. Mostly big, 17"+. I'll keep an eye on it though. Will these fit?->forester wheels (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-02-Subaru-Forester-16-Alloy-Wheels-Rims-Tires-OEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66482QQihZ009QQitemZ190172007083QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

They should. There are guys running imprezas and legacies with those wheels.

[JBearSVT]

Does it look like a good deal? If nobody else bids, it would be $350 shipped for 16" alloy wheels and tires with decent looking tread left in them. So long as I won't have an issue stuffing a 215 tire in this little buggy. My local tire guy quoted me about $300 (total) just for replacing the stock crap, so another $50 for better wheels and much bigger rubber sounds good to me- but I don't know what this stuff is worth. Nobody is bidding, so maybe it's not that great a deal?

[jey]

$350 sounds high for those Forester wheels. Plus the tires that come with them are too big for the Legacy - you'd have to ditch them and find smaller tires.

+1 for checking the classifieds on NASIOC. I got my 16" WRX take-offs for $150 locally, tires with full tread included.

[dodik]

usually you can find a set of 16" wrx wheels aound of 200 with ok tires. i wouldnt spent 350 for a set of 16s, i got mine with tires and profesionally powdercoated for 198.49 on ebay a year ago, price cant increase on these rims as they are getting older and less desireable. just my opinion though.
check nasioc, legacygt.com, legacycentral, and rs25.com these are suby sites that have wheels fs, there is always ebay (which isnt the cheapest place to look anymore,) also craigslist.

[JBearSVT]

Thanks guys. There's little point to having a budget project if you start out paying more than you have to for stuff. I'll follow those links and keep a lookout. Snow is coming and I'm running out of time, but we'll see what turns up I guess.

[JBearSVT]

Anybody know if wheels from a '97 Saab 900 will fit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... OTORS:1123 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180187124139&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:MOTORS:1123)

[Reason]

I doubt it< I don't know the bolt pattern but they use a fucked up set up. Instead of lug nuts they use lug bolts.

[JBearSVT]

http://209.85.48.9/html/emoticons/blink.gif

That is rather odd. I only asked because doing searches for Subaru wheels has pulled up Saab wheels, and the sellers seemed to think they fit Subaru's as well. Not these ones specifically, I'm not sure how I came across them. Just figured, if one set works then maybe...

[Okin DaVanh]

Keep the steelies for winter, and hit up your local BJ's or Town Fair tire for their lowest deals. You might end up getting some crappy tires with nice wheels or wheels that might not clear calipers and the likes. Saabs are front wheel drive. Otherwise check with Tire Rack for bolt patterns.



BTW. your 5liter 5 lugs line up, but they don't clear all the way. They made contact with my suspension. I tried a set of Momo wheels off a 95 V6 Mustang once.

[JBearSVT]

What I've found locally (and at TireRack and Discount Tire Direct) is that 14's, if available at all, are the same price as 15's- usually more. I'm finding close to $300 for four 14's mounted/balanced/tax, so it seems kinda stupid when I've seen so many far superior setups for around that price in the classifieds listed above. Unfortunately, I don't think 17's will fit, and that's mostly what's for sale. Looking at the clearance in front, I don't think anything wider than a 205 will fit either, so I'm kinda limited.

[Okin DaVanh]

What I've found locally (and at TireRack and Discount Tire Direct) is that 14's, if available at all, are the same price as 15's- usually more. I'm finding close to $300 for four 14's mounted/balanced/tax, so it seems kinda stupid when I've seen so many far superior setups for around that price in the classifieds listed above. Unfortunately, I don't think 17's will fit, and that's mostly what's for sale. Looking at the clearance in front, I don't think anything wider than a 205 will fit either, so I'm kinda limited.


Ok, well locally we have a bone yard that will sell you a set of 4 (your choice off the rack, usually w/very good amount of tread left 80% or so) mounted and for $100 - 125. It's located 20 mins South of Boston.

[JBearSVT]

Wow... that'd be worth a drive up to Mass. It's been years since I've been up to Boston, but I think it's only 1.5-2 hours away. I checked several boneyards around here, and none of them even had any Subaru wheels at all, nevermind ones that would fit. I took it as a good sign as a Subaru owner, but it doesn't help me find wheels much.

Unfortunately, I only have four lug 5.0 wheels in my inventory. What didn't clear? Was it the offset, tire width, what? I may have an easier time finding Mustang wheels around here than old Subaru ones.

[Okin DaVanh]

Unfortunately, I only have four lug 5.0 wheels in my inventory. What didn't clear? Was it the offset, tire width, what? I may have an easier time finding Mustang wheels around here than old Subaru ones.


I wouldn't recommend you even entertain the thought of trying to put them on even with spacers.

I have no idea where you live, but the junkyard comment was for tires only.
Your steelies are not re-usable?

.....nevermind, forgot you would have to replace w/ all 4 the same.

Well, I tried :roll:

[JBearSVT]

And I appreciate it, thank you. I'm in SE Connecticut. I didn't even think to look for just tires at the boneyard, although at this point I'd be a bit surprised to find any the right size given my luck so far. I've had a couple good candidates go by on ebay while I wasn't paying attention, I just need to tune in a little better I guess.

[Sarra]

Why not throw some 1990's outback wheels on it? 15", right offset, and they will look good.

[JBearSVT]

I'll throw on it anything I can find at a good price that will fit, regardless of how it looks.

[Okin DaVanh]

Why not throw some 1990's outback wheels on it? 15", right offset, and they will look good.

Outback tires are too big for him and what he wants to accomplish.

[deadlydave]

Why not throw some 1990's outback wheels on it? 15", right offset, and they will look good.

Outback tires are too big for him and what he wants to accomplish.

But the wheels are the proper size. :smile:

[Okin DaVanh]

But the wheels are the proper size. :smile:

Yeah, but I thought he didn't want to buy the tires separately. If he got the tires with the rims, he'd have to pay to have them removed. But it's a good suggestion.

[Sarra]

But the wheels are the proper size. :smile:

Yeah, but I thought he didn't want to buy the tires separately. If he got the tires with the rims, he'd have to pay to have them removed. But it's a good suggestion.

Good luck with that. Going to have some difficulty finding GOOD tires already mounted on wheels for that.

[Okin DaVanh]

I know. I had the same problem when I got my wheels.

[JBearSVT]

Well, I finally got it registered and drove it home tonight. I have 30 days to go through emissions (with my fingers crossed), and assuming that doesn't turn into a giant financial fiasco, the first thing (based on this first real driving experience) that I'm going to want to address is the suspension. It's sloppier than the shifter. Regardless... it was a success! Safe in the driveway and nothing fell off, caught fire or blew up. So far so good.

OH- and update on the wheels, I got a full set of 195/60's on 15" steelies for $250, used one short season. They look like new, still have the casting nubs on the tread. I think they have less backspacing than the original 14's, because they come right out flush with the fenders. Look way better, and noticeable improvement in handling/steering response. I'm psyched.

[JBearSVT]

Thought I'd take some more pics. Maybe it's just me, but I think these wheels/tires really fit different than the originals. You can really see it here, how the old little 14's were sunk way in the wheelwells in the first picture, the other three are with the new ones.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/CopyofPicture004.jpg
and the new ones:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/Picture003.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/Picture001.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/JBear427/Scoobieroo/Picture06.jpg

Car and wheels are pretty filthy, as you can see winter is full swing and my hose if frozen so I couldn't clean it up first. Well, that's what I got this car for anyway! Perhaps my ambitions seem rather low, but this is exactly the look I wanted to accomplish with what I was looking for. Not that I wouldn't have been happy with something better, but this was all I was really after.

[gefinley]

They are more flush with your fenders because the tires are wider. You went from 185 to 195. It's a big enough difference since the rims are also probably wider.

[JBearSVT]

<_<

They're only ten millimeters wider... it's less than a half an inch difference. I doubt they needed a wider wheel to accommodate that. Then again, these aren't the original tires for these wheels, and the wheels are from a '97, so they probably are. I still think either the offset of back spacing is different, or both. Measuring off the body they stick out at least an inch farther.

[deadlydave]

I can see what you mean about the offset, it does look a little different. Looks good though.

[JBearSVT]

LOL... in a trailer trash kinda way. My wife was making fun of it last night because I've been driving around with a toilet in the back for three days. Maybe today I'll get ambitious enough to put it in my house...

[SammyDaFish]

Thought I'd take some more pics. Maybe it's just me, but I think these wheels/tires really fit different than the originals. You can really see it here, how the old little 14's were sunk way in the wheelwells in the first picture, the other three are with the new ones.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/
and the new ones:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

Car and wheels are pretty filthy, as you can see winter is full swing and my hose if frozen so I couldn't clean it up first. Well, that's what I got this car for anyway! Perhaps my ambitions seem rather low, but this is exactly the look I wanted to accomplish with what I was looking for. Not that I wouldn't have been happy with something better, but this was all I was really after.


the offest is much better on those wheels. I need to get spacers for my WRX wheels, they stick in WAY to far. Now just lower it and it'll be money!



oh, and your car should be a BF, not a BJ, check your vin, you don't have a raised roof.

[JBearSVT]

The VIN is:

JF2BJ63C7LG946267

Actually, I really like the stance. I definitely want to stiffen it up, it handles like a yacht, but I really don't want it any lower. I wouldn't mind some sort of front lip/spoiler to drop the chin a little though.