Sub-Goon's '97 Outback

[Sub-Goon]

I played with PhotoShop last night to see how things would look for what I have in my head. The last week has been good for the car, little off for me! Too much time off work and the lady has been gone, she keeps me in line!
Here's how it looks now

Concept 1

Concept 2


What do you guys think?

Also, I tried PhotoShop painting the wheels, but looks bad. My skills are limited! Could someone tint them Bronze and/or a gunmetal. Trying to decide, gunmetal will be safe. I like the bronze wheels, but think it will clash with the silver/pale bronze valance!

[r3v_v3ng3]

Sure, let me know! My schedule is kind of crazy right now, the lady is in Oregon and I've got the kids full time, they are HomeSchooled, and I'm supposed to start a new job at some point this week!

Understood. Have a little one my own I ended up going to emeryville on monday to fix my sis forester. I ended up messing the front lip bad from going in her parking garage lol Was gonna stay till tues night but had to come home early tues. Did went to berkeley for dinner and saw bunch of outbacks/wagons

I choose concept 1. It flows better. I always wonder how the two tone would look on the wagon just like the way you did concept 1 and it looks nice! I think if it has flares the stock two tone would be SICK hehehe

[Sub-Goon]

[quote=r3v_v3ng3]

Sure, let me know! My schedule is kind of crazy right now, the lady is in Oregon and I've got the kids full time, they are HomeSchooled, and I'm supposed to start a new job at some point this week!

Understood. Have a little one my own I ended up going to emeryville on monday to fix my sis forester. I ended up messing the front lip bad from going in her parking garage lol Was gonna stay till tues night but had to come home early tues. Did went to berkeley for dinner and saw bunch of outbacks/wagons

I choose concept 1. It flows better. I always wonder how the two tone would look on the wagon just like the way you did concept 1 and it looks nice! I think if it has flares the stock two tone would be SICK hehehe[/quote:2pbyqve1]
That sucks! Next time you are around, let me know. I'd love to get some tips and advice!
There are a ton of wagons and outbacks in the Berkeley area and in Alameda too. I've only seen 2 Legacys anywhere around here that have had anything done to them!

As I was peeling the vinyl off, I was wondering how it would look if I transitioned the grey with the trim. I agree, I dont think it worked out very well. Thank goodness we have PhotoShop to test stuff like this with!

I'm finally doing the new 4g audio batt cables today, along with the torque box and snorkus delete. Then on Friday I drive to Sac and back, that should be a good test of power/torque and fuel economy!

My new job is starting on Monday! Hopefully I can quickly get back on a good footing and buy a few of the needed things, mostly tune up parts, maybe a few toys!

[Sub-Goon]

Well, I got a bunch of things done in the last 2 days!

I tossed the crappy factory batt cables for some 4g ones that I crimped and shrink-wrapped with some good ole HD terminal clamps. Nothing special or overly pretty, just better than what was there and it cost me $3, since I had everything but the term clamps!

I also took an old grip from my moto and put it on the Ebrake handle, just a signature thing I've been doing for the past 20 yrs?! I think it fit on this one the best I have seen!


I also completed the Snorkus Delete, Torque Box Delete and the Hybrid CAI, but I did it a lil different than I have seen. Mine uses almost all OEM parts! So I should be able to pass smog with out having to change stuff out, not that it is a big hassle. I used the Intake pipe off a '96 Legacy 2.2L and should have grabbed all the associated hoses, but I got it sorted. Just needed 4' of 1/2" hose for the Valve Cover Breathers. Most people seem to use the Weapon R or the "Ebay $30" unit, which both are probably better and larger in diameter, but for now I wanted a factory look, at least till I judge if it works well!

In order to hook this up, I had to block 2 connections on the new Intake pipe. I only had (3) 1/2" hoses and (5) fittings. The 1/2" Vacuum plugs were to big so I just fit the 3/8" ones on!
Here's the next thing I did a little different. Most people seem to cut the elbow off the Snorkus, where it enters the Airbox. I want to be able to revert back to stock easily. So I used this for the elbow, that way its pulling air from the front of the fender.

Here you can just see it entering the AirBox from the fender well and ziptyed in place

Here it is inside the fender well, pointed forward. The red arrow is pointing out the duct that pulls air from behind the headlight and dumps it just in front of the new elbow!


I have a few more ideas to add and upgrade this setup. I'm going to add a Spectre Velocity stack to the elbow, so that the air has a smooth transition into the intake duct. Then a K&N Filter Sock over the Velocity stack,

to limit water, sand & dust enter the system. Change out the Fram filter for a K&N, unless the next idea pans out. I am going to investigate using a MAF adapter and HKS filter, inside the Airbox! I also want to provide a better source of cold air to the inner fender, and not from behind the Foglight, where it gets dirty and wet! Maybe a post'99 Legacy duct from the radiator support?! Will it fit?! After that, if I keep going on improving it, it'll mean getting rid of the bottle necks. Which means an aftermarket mid-pipe between the MAF and TB.

Since I was doing the battery cables at the same time, it made it easy to do the ECU reset. Once i was done the battery had been disconnected for several hours (10 mins is recommended) and then the only other thing to do was start it up and let it idle til it was at normal temp. Then I took a drive for close to 45mins! It is definitely noiser engine wise, its also more responsive. I'm not sure if I gained or lost any HP or torque, but it did fine. I am happy with the increase in response. And the drive I did was up a steep hill, 2k feet over 10 miles?!? It climbed nice and seemed to keep pulling from low rpm to high (5-6K?!).

Tomorrow, I drive from Oakland to Sac(ramento) and back (80-85 miles 1 way) so that should tell me alot and give me some gas mileage number!

I also confirmed, my PCV is mucked up, so that will be getting changed out soon along with cleaning the IACV. I'm going to stop at Harbor Freight tomorrow and pick up the pieces I need in order to do a Dual Oil Catch Can!

[Sub-Goon]

Installed my Transmission Cooler this morning in prep for a 170mile drive in some hot country, maybe in traffic!

[Sub-Goon]

Here's the results of My Version of a Hybrid CAI and my drive yesterday!

195.7 mile trip and got 25.75 mpg on 87 gas!
So here is the comparison, same starting and ending citys & same freeway route;
This Trip
-196 miles
-25.75 mpg
-2 people half way, 3 the other half
-windows down/no AC
-air temp was in the low to mid 90s the whole distance
-traffic was mixed, but alot of under 30mph
-90% freeway/10%city
Previous Trip
-279 miles
-25.0 mpg
-4 people the whole way
-windows up on the freeway/no AC
-air temp was in the 60s-70s the whole distance
-freeway was 70mph for roughly 80% of the trip
-90% freeway/10%city

The way I see it, I would have gotten better gas mileage today if I was to have the intake mod done during the previous trip when the conditions were more ideal, lower air temp and more consistant speed on the freeway!

I am very happy, it's more driveable and better gas consumption!

Along with the increase of engine noise, I'm actually hearing just a bit of the notorious Boxer Rumble. I'm sure its more that I am listening for it and its not loud enough (yet!) for anyone walking down the street to notice. I can't wait to get a good muffler on this thing!

I did have a good chuckle on the way home.... Cruising down the freeway, I spotted a 1st gen Impreza (lowered, wing, nice wheels, de-badged). I just casually rolled by at 70 and for 10 mins I watched him move through traffic to keep close enough to me. He was checking my car out, he was trying to be stealthy about it! After a bit, he decided to move on and did it with a bit of a romp and alot more speed than he had been traveling at!

[Sub-Goon]

So I wasn't happy with my gauge cluster and decided to make a few changes, mostly change the white bulbs for amber and to repaint the bezel, since I had screwed it up! Here it is!

After seeing pics like this JDM one, I thought "Why not?!"

I thought "Why not?!"


I really wish the JDM speedos had big KPH and small MPH, it'd be fun to have and still be readable when I didnt feel like doing math!
I also painted the selector trim ring to match!

In the future, I have a few more ideas I might do to make the gauges even better!
1- Get a JDM cluster and swap the Speedo face, add the MPH markers in. That way the odometer reads miles!
2- Put the JDM Tach in with the higher redline and top RPM, yes it wont change how the engine works, but it looks better IMHO!
3- Use the JDM bezel, if the gear selector works!
4- Do this carbon fiber look gauges DIY or custom ?white? face gauges

[Sub-Goon]

Back when I did the work on the headlights, I noticed this section of each headlight, see how it looks like a bulb should be there but it isnt cut out?!

Well, that is for the City Lights, which the US doesn't require. I've always liked the idea, so I'm making them functional! So from the wreckers, I got a pair of these plugs off a BK taillight. If I had been thinking, I would have grabbed ones intended for exterior use. But I can add RTV or an ORing later!

I found roughly center and drilled it out with a step (UniBit) drill bit. It's larger than 1/2", but not sure the actual size. Then I had to dremel out the reflector hole til the bulb holder fit in.


Next use the Dremel again to notch the opening for the Bayonet latches.

And plug it in with your choice of colors, these fit the standard 168/194 style bulb and there are lots of LEDs!

From here you just mount it back up on the car and decide how to wire it in!
I'm going to wire mine to come on anytime the ignition is on, that way it works as a DRL. Probably going with the brightest Green LEDs, but that might change.
Bench test with green

Bench test with Amber

On car, Amber

With lights on

Compared to with out them on

[Sub-Goon]

Please let me know if I should do more detail and/or a DIY thread!

[foohfooh]

hey what tools/process did you use to remove vinyl cladding?

[Muse]

Please let me know if I should do more detail and/or a DIY thread!

Pretty please? I love this.

[Sub-Goon]

hey what tools/process did you use to remove vinyl cladding?

- De-Solv-It

- Heat Gun
- Garage Strength Paper Towel
- Blue masking tape
- Xacto knife

Simply heat the vinyl til warm and peel it back. When its really baked on, spray the De-Solv-It on, wait 5 mins, then heat it with the heat gun til the metal is just a lil too hot to touch. Let it cool for a minute or 2, then peel it away.

Once the vinyl is off, heat the left over glue, again til the metal is just too hot to touch, let cool. Spray with De-Solv-It or similar goo remover and scrape with your finger nail! I tried a credit card, but that left micro scratches in the clear coat!

Tip: dont cut your thumbnails for a couple of weeks prior!

At the wheelwells, I used a piece of blue masking tape to draw a straight horizontal line. This gave me a guide to cut the vinyl with an Xacto knife.

Hope thats what you were looking for!

[r3v_v3ng3]

Tip: dont cut your thumbnails for a couple of weeks prior!

I forget sometimes and had my nails cut then wetsand a car later and it freaking hurts


Anyways good job so far on your car. Liking the progress. Your headlights looks like the jdm non projectors now! The jdm non projected have city lights on em. If i'm not too lazy maybe I'll do the same on my 95 wagon before I sell them

[nikolaus.conrad]

I'm definitely doing the city lights to my car, nice find!!

[Sub-Goon]

Put the money from the new job to good use and ordered a RalliTek 4EAT trans insert. Next to order is the Group N Dogbone, Dodge Neon coil, spark plugs/wires! Also need to get the diff, engine & trans fluids changed out! Also, planning on getting that nifty BlueTooth/OBD2 Engine monitor sys!

I received a K&N air filter from SLi member Felipe, but still needs to be installed! Also, have the pieces prepped to do the Throttle Body Bypass! Work has been killing me! Going from unemployed to 50+ hour weeks!

Last Sunday, I did a few runs from 0-60 and timed with my wristwatch, roughly 11seconds. I meant to do a set of baseline runs before I did any performance mods, but never got around to it! It'll be fun to see improvement!

[Sub-Goon]

Finally started working again, so I've been able to spend a few dollars on the car, but I've had very little time to work on it!

In the mail I got:
-RalliTek 4EAT Trans Mount Insert for $10 instead of $50
-RalliTek License Plate & Broadway Mirror (from dplacencia)
-ELM327 OBD2 BlueTooth Dongle, which allows you to monitor the engines sensors via SmartPhone with help from Torque Lite or Torque Pro apps!

My trip to the wreckers wasn't what I hoped, but I got some goodies from a '98 Limited!
-OEM rear tweeters & grills
-lower door cards w/courtesy lights
-leather shifter
-mounting plate to install the large roof console
-hooks for a luggage net

[Muse]

Very nice haul.

[Sub-Goon]

I'm kinda kicking myself, I keep going back and forth on the leather door panel inserts, this one had all 4 in good shape. But the pleats kinda bug me, too Executive/VIP. I will probably re-do mine at some point. Also wondering if the Limited stuff I grabbed is the same color(dark grey) as mine or if it was really black like I keep thinking! I will have to compare! Might look nice to have the vents, door control pods, stereo, HVAC controls and other bits with black trim on the dark grey dash! If it is, I will go back soon to see what is left. It would look silly for the front lower doors to be black with the rear lower doors dark grey!

EDIT:
Yep, I was right! The lower doors that I grabbed today are Black and not Dark Grey. Which means, I'm going to want to go back to the wreckers and grab the vents and the plastic pieces from the doors and maybe the leather door inserts, too. I know the HVAC and Stereo bezels are gone, but they were probably wood grain, since the window switch bezels had wood grain. Funny thing is the whole lower door panel on the front doors are plastic and the rear doors have vinyl except the speaker grills!

[r3v_v3ng3]

Did you grabbed them at oakland picknpull? Also those rear oem tweeters are sought after since it only came on the limited. Did you grabbed the rear trim panel for it also or your gonna make your own hole for it?

[Sub-Goon]

Did you grabbed them at oakland picknpull? Also those rear oem tweeters are sought after since it only came on the limited. Did you grabbed the rear trim panel for it also or your gonna make your own hole for it?

I grabbed them from Richmond. I decided to leave the panels behind, they were pretty scuffed up. I took the grills and measurements where to cut the holes, tho!

[r3v_v3ng3]

Ah... thats one of the 4 locations I haven't been to in CA. Surprisingly they don't have any picknpull in socal. I was just at rancho cordova last weekend. I did picked up a 3rd gen rear oem tweeters and cover from an 01 outback (i think) and I'll be putting it on my BG outback.

If you have the xtra cash, next time buy the whole door(s). I think its $50. Cost more to buy them seperately. I think door panels are already $20 something. That way you can have spare parts just in case. If the outside door is dented, find one that is not and transfer the other parts lol

[Sub-Goon]

I only have a tiny 1 car garage and that is where my moto lives and where my workshop happens. Its overstuffed cause I'm bad about throwing things out. So I cant be buying large items like that just to store them, maybe if I get my dream Live/Work Loft one day!

[highlandsubiL]

Omg! that is such a better way to update the intake. Thanks for the idea!

[Odycee]

Enjoy your intake mods to but could you take some pics with complete set up?

[Sub-Goon]

Here's what I posted earlier, at the top of this page.

I also completed the Snorkus Delete, Torque Box Delete and the Hybrid CAI, but I did it a lil different than I have seen. Mine uses almost all OEM parts! So I should be able to pass smog with out having to change stuff out, not that it is a big hassle. I used the Intake pipe off a '96 Legacy 2.2L and should have grabbed all the associated hoses, but I got it sorted. Just needed 4' of 1/2" hose for the Valve Cover Breathers. Most people seem to use the Weapon R or the "Ebay $30" unit, which both are probably better and larger in diameter, but for now I wanted a factory look, at least till I judge if it works well!

In order to hook this up, I had to block 2 connections on the new Intake pipe. I only had (3) 1/2" hoses and (5) fittings. The 1/2" Vacuum plugs were to big so I just fit the 3/8" ones on!
Here's the next thing I did a little different. Most people seem to cut the elbow off the Snorkus, where it enters the Airbox. I want to be able to revert back to stock easily. So I used this for the elbow, that way its pulling air from the front of the fender.

Here you can just see it entering the AirBox from the fender well and ziptyed in place

Here it is inside the fender well, pointed forward. The red arrow is pointing out the duct that pulls air from behind the headlight and dumps it just in front of the new elbow!


I have a few more ideas to add and upgrade this setup. I'm going to add a Spectre Velocity stack to the elbow, so that the air has a smooth transition into the intake duct. Then a K&N Filter Sock over the Velocity stack,

to limit water, sand & dust enter the system. Change out the Fram filter for a K&N, unless the next idea pans out. I am going to investigate using a MAF adapter and HKS filter, inside the Airbox! I also want to provide a better source of cold air to the inner fender, and not from behind the Foglight, where it gets dirty and wet! Maybe a post'99 Legacy duct from the radiator support?! Will it fit?! After that, if I keep going on improving it, it'll mean getting rid of the bottle necks. Which means an aftermarket mid-pipe between the MAF and TB.

Since I was doing the battery cables at the same time, it made it easy to do the ECU reset. Once I was done the battery had been disconnected for several hours (10 mins is recommended) and then the only other thing to do was start it up and let it idle til it was at normal temp. Then I took a drive for close to 45mins! It is definitely noisier engine wise, its also more responsive. I'm not sure if I gained or lost any HP or torque, but it did fine. I am happy with the increase in response. And the drive I did was up a steep hill, 2k feet over 10 miles?!? It climbed nice and seemed to keep pulling from low rpm to high (5-6K?!).

Just let me know if you need more info/details/photos!

[Sub-Goon]

Well, I went back to PickNPull Richmond today. It was nice that this weekend was their 50% off sale!
I brought home:
-all (4) leather door inserts
-both dash vents (black)
-(3) door control pods (black)(drivers side was broken on both the Outbacks!)
-6" of harness from Dodge Neon coil
-DIN storage box w/door from a '92 Infiniti M30

As soon as I can find the Drivers side door control pod and the 2 center bezels in black, my interior will be going 2 tone, which I think will look real good! Unfortunately, I forgot to grab the shifter panel, mine's gouged by the POs dog.

By the way if anyone local is looking, this '98 Limited is black and the hood/scoop is in great shape and the leather seats are pretty decent!

[r3v_v3ng3]

WTH! Can't believe I didn't get an email notification from picknpull about their 50% off. Too bad I'm busy otherwise I would be picknpull hunting lol

Saved your # and hopefully I'll be able to send the pics of the jdm tails to you tomorrow since its late right now lol

[Sub-Goon]

WTH! Can't believe I didn't get an email notification from picknpull about their 50% off. Too bad I'm busy otherwise I would be picknpull hunting lol

Saved your # and hopefully I'll be able to send the pics of the jdm tails to you tomorrow since its late right now lol

Yea! Ive found their i-net skills to suck at best!
I'm looking forward to getting those on the car! Along with the RalliTek license frame & mudflaps the rear wont look so "soccer mom" to match the front end, finally!

I stopped by a local exhaust shop this weekend, they said they'd do a MagnaFlow axleback for $120! So, I'm hoping to have better sound soon! Also, have a good friend lined up to do tint for me. My brother will be putting an alarm in, so I will feel safer about putting my deck in and can start listening to decent non-broadcast music!

Then the other big items remaining is Forester struts, good tires and some decent wheels!

I've been having fun buying parts, but havent had any free time to install! So my tiny garage is getting cluttered! Gotta fix that soon!

[nikolaus.conrad]

Awesome deal!! Did that car have sunroofs??

[Sub-Goon]

Awesome deal!! Did that car have sunroofs??

Nope! But Im happy to have the rest of the hooks for the cargo nets and the rear tweets with help fill the sound, really just needed the grills and brackets, cause I'll put some quality ones in to go with my Polk/Momo Carbon Fiber 6.5". Figure 4 tweets on the 6.5s and 4 extra tweets ought to fill really well! Might have to add a small underseat sub or 2!