1996Battlewagon's 1997 Outback (Knocking on Death's Door)

[1996Battlewagon]

Well, been around for a while but never posted a Member's ride thread until now.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/14iizj5-1.jpg

1997 Outback 5mt with cold weather package (don't really know why). Current engine is a EJ22 from a 96 L that was swapped over by the previous owners, and boy is it sick. When I bought it in 08, I pulled 7 codes. Last oil change I found some small shavings on the drain plug. So, for a while now I've been searching for a healthy EJ25 to put back in so I finally can have something to pull around the weight. Patience is a virtue...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/345h1dc-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2nvhix-1.jpg

Scooped this bad boy up a few days ago. Nothing special, just a stock Phase I EJ25. Got it off craigslist in GA (drove the 400+ miles to pick it up and haul it back in the Outback). The guy who had it bought it off of TigerJapanese for his 02 L, not knowing that he needed a Phase II. It supposedly has 25-35k miles on it.

Plans where to cam it, but with tuition coming up soon, that is being put on hold until I can safely have disposable income. I will get some UEL headers and a axle back before school starts though.

2012 STATUS!!!

From this:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/7869296620_5a91d3eb60_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/7869296620/)

To this:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/7769838434_c1c7f19f36_b-1.jpg

Mod List of 8/26/12)

Engine:
JDM EJ25D
Old style intake
Borla knock-off UEL headers
Custom 2.25" catback with flat black Vibrant muffler.
Sachs Clutch Kit
Exterior:
Random roof mounted driving lights
Hella 500s
Custom roof basket with full size spare
Chassis:
KYB GR-2s
King HD Raised Springs
Slotted Rotors
Rolling Gear:
205 70R/15 Yokohama Geolander AT/S

[sqc151]

nice, cant wait to see it with the lift. g/l with the swap.

[T_F_E]

how did you wire your roof lights?

[1996Battlewagon]

Thanks guys! I've always wanted a lift and that damn USMB made me want one even more. That will be after Graduation though when I get a second car(Leggy of course).

TFE, here's the thread about those lights if it was before your time. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11371&hilit=foglight+bug (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11371&hilit=foglight+bug)

The wiring runs along the rear of the car and I have crudely zip tied them to the roof rack. Then it goes inside the back hatch (you can see them in the engine shots) and runs in the interior to the fuse box. It works and required alot of wire and crimping, but that's fun anyways.

[1996Battlewagon]

Time for an update. Work began on the JDM 2.5 to replace the headgaskets with something a bit more stout. Here's a little slide show.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/25514cn-1.jpg
Open deck-ness
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/2821co0-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/x4kot1-1.jpg
You can sorta see the cross hatching on the cylinders.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/2d0g9du-1.jpg
W00T! This is how clean the heads are right when we pulled them.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/2ci9tvo-1.jpg
Thickness of OEM JDM gasket.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/x28op0-1.jpg
OEM JDM gasket

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/15d2wck-1.jpg
New 'Six Star' gaskets!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/9l8i37-1.jpg
"The Table"

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/2l9oux-1.jpg
Almost there...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/295rdx5-1.jpg
Cams in

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/10cq6w1-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/280toau-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/08/r1exwh-1.jpg
TADA!!!

[1996Battlewagon]

It was a beautiful day, so I got some new shots. Notice anything... different. :cool:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/mjvf4y-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/11rdwdw-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/hthenm-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/24pyt55-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/28a1abl-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/10zraso-1.jpg

Then, I tried to show off when leaving :

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/r8t8v5-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/v7dyl0-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/2rrb8no-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/kf15is-1.jpg

[subie/legacy]

nice detailed engine pictures. The header looks nice.

[1996Battlewagon]

I made this:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrBattlewagon

[1996Battlewagon]

I haven't updated this in a while. Not much other than new suspension!

I waited around for a while and finally found what I wanted. Scored a set of King HD Raised Springs from USMB and my friend's KYB GR2s for his 2.5RS. I did the swap about a few months ago and so far so AWESOME! Moving on.

The first side wasn't as bad as I thought. This was the first time I had done actual suspension work and we used a old-skcool compressor and air tools to make quick work of the swap. The driver side, however straight forward, did reveal why my ride and tire tread had been off.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/5plana-1.jpg

BROKEN!

Doing work:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/7853479214_4f2833c95a_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/7853479214/)

Finished Product:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/7853478232_e746abf4a3_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/7853478232/)

Testing Time:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/7261217436_256e589f2d_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/7261217436/)

Sitting Next to a local guy in his lowered S4 (not my pic):

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/7769838434_c1c7f19f36_b-1.jpg

[Airgne]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5808 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5808)

read and fix. thank you.

[1996Battlewagon]

I hope I got it taken care of Airgne.

Well, it looks like I'm moving to Florida so the H6 will serve daily duty while the BG will have to stay in TN for just a bit until I can figure out how to get the big lug down there. My mom said she would drive it to keep it working...

So, I had to get it ready for her. After replacing the brakes (the rear pad disintegrated and the front caliper rusted shut), I removed the extra stuff that would hurt fuel mileage. Here's the result:

Before (albeit without suspension):

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/6533795865_c12ff2ba6f_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/6533795865/)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/6533800165_77d625c4a0_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/6533800165/)

After:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/09/8007635778_b01113ec93_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/8007635778/)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/09/8007639170_345dd0fdf6_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/8007639170/)

Honestly, I like it better without the rack and lights. I might even take off the roof bars...

To finish off my days off, I made a few inside driving vids. Take a listen and open an eye.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp4hGNCzt8c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALvjLlfHtkM&feature=plcp

[chrish8r]

Ive watched your Youtube videos and your exhaust sounds really good. Anything new?

[1996Battlewagon]

Thanks for the kind words sir.

Nothing much has changed with Battle. During spring break, I went to TN and did some little things. Fixed my Hellas, re installed my roof lights, replaced my leaky power steering pump, fixed a torn fuel pressure regulator hose (there was my flat spot) and added a tow chain for rescuing others. The trans mount is bloody shot and I still have an oil leak but all-in-all, it's a damn good car. He's DD status right now while I fix a coolant leak on the H6 so I can sell that.

Here are some new pics and another exhaust video (tunnel run!)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/12/8596000607_b2a62700e1_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/8596000607/)


https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/8595982057_e55da51a78_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/8595982057/)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/03/8597100624_318eb5ec96_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/8597100624/)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/8616594576_fc7c3f39de_z-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/8616594576/)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUnsbrl7dfE

[1996Battlewagon]

Haven't updated this in a while because the car lives in Tennessee while I work in Miami. I have neglected it something fierce.

Last time I visited (early July) - it didn't want to start. It sat for so long with such low fuel, the the pump wouldn't supply it with enough to keep it running. I barely got it going again and fixed it with some fuel cleaner, fresh gas, an Italian tune up and some actual attention.

Then, whilst literally talking to my friend about selling it while driving it on the freeway at about 75mph, this happens:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/08/1zh311z-1.jpg

The car kept running like a champ - just no accessories. I don't really mind no AC and no power steering but no charging, come on!!!!

I haven't done anything to it since. The car has pretty bad quarter panel rust (a complete fist sized hole) and while the engine and trans (none of which are original) are strong, the engine leaks oil and burns it at wide open throttle (blow-by?).

Before this July incident happened, I visited in April and destroyed the radiator at the tail of the dragon. In retrospec, hauling ass in a now poorly maintained 17-year-old station wagon with bad seals, blow-by and a 17-year-old, 220xxx mile radiator probably wasn't the best idea but when this car is running, it runs with the attitude of "let's burn down the world."

Not sure what I'm going to do next. Frankenmotor? 2.2t hybrid? Sell it? Part it out?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/14265651435_9d13295cb1_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nJBcav)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/14285770633_4461e6a112_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nLoiUe)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/14242554496_f86dcb0460_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGyPfq)

[1996Battlewagon]

Got the car running like a normal car again.

Went home for a day and a half (literally) and was going to drop it off at my friend's house so he could take care of it/fix the pulley issue. Then decided we might as well try to fix it so I bought a new pulley and belts but needed another bolt. Knoxville's pretty much awesome as you can get almost anything you want instantly if you look hard enough. Went to the pull-a-part, found a first gen waggy with a 2.2 and no trans, put a screwdriver in the flexplate and got the bolt off.

My Outback had sat for an entire month with no charging or running or anything. I went to start it, it fired instantly with zero piston slap, knock or hesitation. Drove it about 15 miles with no power steering, no A/C and no alternator. Went to check the voltage after arriving - 12.1. This car's magic.

As it sits now, it has a new pulley and belts, functioning power steering, A/C and charging. It may have a cracked windshield, rust, oil leaks, power steering leaks, and an exhaust that's rattling against the body but it's a car and it runs like a stabbed rat.

[Muse]

I know the feeling it's like, "god, there's so many things wrong with the car, I need to fix a,b,c,d, and e, replace f,g, and h, and I'm just waiting for X,Y,Z to break... But it's still running, and it's still fun!"

[86bratman]

On that oil blow by thing, when was the last time the pcv valve was changed?

[1996Battlewagon]

I know the feeling it's like, "god, there's so many things wrong with the car, I need to fix a,b,c,d, and e, replace f,g, and h, and I'm just waiting for X,Y,Z to break... But it's still running, and it's still fun!"

Pretty much. I would be a different story if this was my daily driver/only vehicle but it's not. The best financial route would be part it out and use that to put a down payment on a 3.0R and make my Jeep the weekend/plaything but this car got me through college and the first year living in Miami. I have a lot of sentimental attachment.


On that oil blow by thing, when was the last time the pcv valve was changed?

Huh - good point. As far as I know, it's factory (i.e. about 80k miles) but I kept the JDM intake so the pcv system is kind of weird. I used a lot of clear plastic vinyl tubing to make it work. I'll have to put that on the list. Thanks man.