A lotta Subarus and some BH5 questions

[bmart]

Hi guys. I've got a few Subarus, all in great working order. A 2000 GT i've owned since new, which currently has 212k miles on it and runs the best of all of them! A 2004 Legacy wagon I use for hauling bikes to track days and mountains. And a 2005 GT. All 5MT.



Initial Questions for forums
Thinking about augmenting the fleet and learning about the JDM BH5 wagons and bump into a lot conflicting information/opinions on some topics after a lot of searching. Any help/clarification from the experts would help. If someone has already posted something consolidated, please just point me there! Thank you!
In no particular order, but hoping to be clear and concise with my questions so that I don’t absorb a lot of anyone’s time:
• Good/best sites? The best ones I’ve found so far are
o https://sl-i.net/FORUM/showthread.ph...-twin-turbo-eh
o https://forums.jdmvip.com/forums/24-Legacy
o https://legacypic.uk/ , won’t let me register. Do any of you know how I might gain access or know the owner?
o https://www.automobile-catalog.com/#gsc.tab=0
o https://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru/
o https://sl-i.net/FORUM/showthread.ph...e-Manuals-(FSM
o A lot of turbo replacement/change options. Is this accurate? https://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/ind...egacys/page/2/
• I have seen the options code table 2ith 3-digit codes, but any actual options lists I see show only 2-digit. Is there some translation I’m missing?
• I have read about octane requirements being 100 in Japan using RON, which is ~95-96 AKI and 93 PON (what I think U.S. pumps are). Am I correct? No need for any modification to avoid issues/damage?
• I read something about “adding a "link(?)" and remove MAF.” Clarification for what it solves and if it is a useful mod?
• Where can we get spare keys/fobs?
• What is the unorthodox ornament on the grill of the GT-B models? It looks like short, fat lightning bolt.
• What are mods that improve the car and don’t cause headaches? I’ve heard to mostly leave the powerplant alone but that a cat back system is plug and play. Is this right? Are there some relatively quiet ones still available? Do the ones for the USDM 3rd gen fit? (I have a few 3rd/4th gens). Sway bars for 3rd gen USDM plug and play?
• Will a subwoofer plug right in like in my 3rd gens?
• I’m rolling through the manuals I’ve found online and am looking for the maintenance schedule, just in case there is anything different from my other 3rd gens. If someone has that handy, I’d appreciate it!
• Turbo boost & oil gauges would seem to make sense. Are any clean install options still available for cars this old?
• Is there a table or better a chart comparing the E-tune options from Subaru A/B/C/D (I think)?
• Could I tow with one and what is the capacity? Is it the same hitch I have on all of my other 4rd gens (2000#)?
• I’m curious about gearing comparisons to my other cars. Is there a single source online or do I have to pull the data and build my own table?
I’m posting this on a few related forums, so if you’re a Subaru fan, you may see it in multiple places.
This seems like (IS!) a long list, but I’ve found most of the other info already. Any help would be great. Thank you again!

[rkrenicki]

• I have seen the options code table 2ith 3-digit codes, but any actual options lists I see show only 2-digit. Is there some translation I’m missing?

Option codes are just dealer ordering codes. They are not well documented nor very interesting or really useful at this point, so I would not worry about them.

• I have read about octane requirements being 100 in Japan using RON, which is ~95-96 AKI and 93 PON (what I think U.S. pumps are). Am I correct? No need for any modification to avoid issues/damage?

93AKi is close enough to Japanese Premium fuel that it will be fine. If you were looking at something like an S401, I would suggest some octane booster, or doing a 50/50 mix with some race 95/97/100 fuel and regular 93.

• Where can we get spare keys/fobs?

Keys blanks are the same as here. Fobs on the other hand are different. Last I knew, you could still order new blank keys/fobs from Japan, and you can just have them cut here like any other Subaru key.

• What is the unorthodox ornament on the grill of the GT-B models? It looks like short, fat lightning bolt.

. It is a stylized L (for legacy) both rightside up and upside down. It is commonly called the "L7 Badge"

... cat back system is plug and play. Is this right? Do the ones for the USDM 3rd gen fit? (I have a few 3rd/4th gens). Sway bars for 3rd gen USDM plug and play?

Yes to both. BE and BH chassis (mostly) the same worldwide. The only difference when it comes to exhaust is that the rear bumper is thinner than the North American bumper, so exhaust tips for this region may be a couple of inches longer and might stick out slightly.

• Will a subwoofer plug right in like in my 3rd gens?

GT-B/RSKs came with a factory with a sub, so there was no dealer installed sub option over there.

• I’m rolling through the manuals I’ve found online and am looking for the maintenance schedule, just in case there is anything different from my other 3rd gens.

It is the same as for here.

• Is there a table or better a chart comparing the E-tune options from Subaru A/B/C/D (I think)?

I am not sure what option code you are referring to.. Do you mean the 4th letter of the applied model? (BE5B, BH9C, etc?). If so, that is just the model year indicator. A-C are "largely" all the same. D was a major refresh and there were a lot of improvements.. but those started in 2001 and ended in early 2003, and are not yet legal for import into the US.

• Could I tow with one and what is the capacity? Is it the same hitch I have on all of my other 4rd gens (2000#)?

A US hitch should work just fine. I do not know anything about a rating though.

• I’m curious about gearing comparisons to my other cars. Is there a single source online or do I have to pull the data and build my own table?

I have not, nor do I know anyone who has taken the time to make a breakdown of the gearing. I can say that they are shorter gears than what is found in North America, so be aware of that.

[bmart]

You are the absolute man. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

A few follow ups if you have the desire:

Will any fob work, or does it have to be the same as the whatever the car comes with? I have a few U.S ones from our 3rd gens hanging around.

The GT-B i'm looking at has no sub under the seat or in the rear. Where else may they have hidden it?

Any recommendations on quiet cat-back systems? Hoping to find a used one on one of the many forums.

The main reason I was/am curious about the maintenance schedule is their 105km but our 105k miles for the timing belt. Huge difference!

I thought that the A/B/C/D was an improved E-tune over the production runs, and the next letter ever year. That may just be Internet hooey!

Again. Thanks a TON!

[rkrenicki]

The Japanese key has the fob built into the head of the key. I believe that some years used the same signaling that was used in the states, but some did not. Without knowing exactly what year and model we are talking about here, it is difficult to answer.

The sub would have been in the rear. I think on the right side of the cargo area on the Wagon. Here is a picture of some random 1999 GT-B where you can see it on the side:


I really do not really have any suggestions for exhaust, sorry.

You would just have to convert the distance for the maintenance schedule. Their 105k KM would be more or less the same as our 60k mile maintenance. Regardless of schedule, I would probably suggest having the timing belt/water pump done as soon as possible regardless of mileage. 25+ years is a lot to ask of a rubber belt, and that one breaking will destroy the engine in short order.

As for the letters, yes, there were improvements over the years just like any other region, but the differences between A, B, and C are minimal. It was not until D when any significant updates were done.

[bmart]

Again. Thank you!

[bmart]

It has arrived! Hope to get it on a lift in the next week or two to go over. Is there a trick to getting the air filter out? Two silver clips, then it moves...not at all!

Does anyone know the diameter of the valve adjustment shims? Shim over bucket, right?

[bmart]

Again, just to share, dug up some OEM brochures. Pretty cool stuff!

Brochure 1: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fe9VauxQ1opNXHiZ9

Brochure 2: https://photos.app.goo.gl/AQf5iwwte1CnFAvn8

[bmart]

Any help with key fob programming could be great. I've tried three different instructions without any luck. Thanks!

[bmart]

Getting better/cleaner. Touched up a few small paint spots. Full 4 step detail on the paint. Pinstriped. What do you think of the color combo?

[duncanm]

Noice.

What you have there is a rev A-C. D came with the facelift - different grill and headlights. D also had a fairly major change to the ECU, injectors, and some minor turbo changes.

Couple of things:
- The keys should be simple - the JDM cars don't have any key/ECU security, so the fob is just useful for lock/unlocking the doors. I think you can just use any BE/BH fob and key it to the car with a magic sequence of some sort.
- Don't know why you'd want to remove the MAF - sounds dangerous, as it uses that for fuelling! The only way to make that work would be reprogram the ECU (yes, A-C can be done. See "Project Lambda" and others) for speed-density.
- Look up the "hose 10 mod" which removes a boost bleed in the bypass valve circuit - can help with initial boost.
- Make sure you do a regular top end clean with subaru upper engine cleaner or similar.
- Make sure the (secondary) exhaust valve is adjusted properly.
- Its worth pulling out the BBOD and giving all the solenoids and restrictor pills a good clean. Similarly, replacing vac lines doesn't hurt, as that old rubber is nearing EOL. Don't lose any pills!
- for extra performance and easier TMIC remove/install, replace the plastic turbo ducts under the TMIC with silicon equivalents.
- Maintenance schedule is same (at least the AUDM one is), but I recommend shorter oil intervals - something like 5k miles instead of 7.5k
- That purple is nice - but has a habit of failing clear-coat if you're in a high UV area like here in Oz.
- Check all the actuators and solenoids with the test mode (connect the two green plugs near the OBD port).
- Be careful of any and all plastic hose connections in the engine bay, including the radiator end tanks. They are getting old and brittle and are easy to break.
- For a clean boost gauge install, I like the drivers air vent.

[bmart]

Thank you! This is a lot of great info.

I can't find all of these procedures. Can you guide me to any?

I gave up on fobs once I realized there's no security attached.

I don't want to do MAF mod. Someone else suggested it.

Top end clean, you mean internal or external covers?

BBOD is on the list...carefully!

Thank you for the tips!

It won't be driven very hard, but I would like an oil temp gauge...eventually.

The valve on the muffler isn't working at all. It is locked one way now, not sure which yet!

[duncanm]

- Upper engine cleaner is for the intake, valves and piston/cylinder crown. Look it up. Standard Subaru thing (If you haven't done it on your others, I suggest you do)
- Hose 10 mod - again, look it up.
- not the muffler valve (if there is one), I'm talking about the ECV (Exhaust Control Valve) into the secondary turbo.

Twin turbos are best not modified (apart from maybe simple stuff like the hose 10 mod) -- you'll just run into a world of confusion and hurt.

[bmart]

Thank you!

Burning through the list of things to do. Only likely mod will be a catback if the OEM one is in rough shape when I get it on the list next week. For something mellow, one of these looks like the ticket. Trying to get some comparison info from them, as the data on their site seems a little suspect.

I did look up the others. Thanks!

I've never done a upper engine cleaner on any of them...including the 212k miles one. I may be...behind.

It got a fair bit of attention at some car shows yesterday. Apparently only young people like old TT Subarus.