Perth-WRX.com  

Go Back   Perth-WRX.com > General WRXing > General Subaru Discussion
Register Diddy Kart ArticlesAll AlbumsBlogs FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Welcome to Perth-WRX, click here to register!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-06-2012, 09:00 AM
ginkumo12's Avatar
Potty Training Scoobie Noobie
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Perth
Posts: 39
Thanks: 6
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
ginkumo12 at standard level
Default Buying Gen2 Outback need some info

Hey, guys. I'm looking into getting into my 2nd Subie.

I spotted a 98 Gen2 Outback with auto trans going for under $3000
It's got a bit of hail damage and has done well over 300,000km on the odo.
It sounds quite worn, but I find it as a good starting point for getting myself a decent awd sports wagon.
With the way I see it:
-fairly old: gen2 liberty/outback body parts are plentiful
-runs an ej20: 99% of Subarus have it, but how much to swap a WRX auto engine over?
-other parts should be easy to swap into like brakes and such

I need some confirmation on this. I've managed to read that the engine is the main part to check on a car this used. I'm going to be viewing the car on the weekend, so any advice would be great.

Thank you!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-06-2012, 10:12 AM
ginkumo12's Avatar
Potty Training Scoobie Noobie
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Perth
Posts: 39
Thanks: 6
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
ginkumo12 at standard level
Default

Any advice at all? I know this post may seem dreamer/noobish, but I'm really keen on getting something like this done. My wallet isn't fat, but I have quite a bit of paper that is free to go anywhere and a turbo AWD wagon would be ideal.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-06-2012, 10:44 AM
Kato's Avatar
Burnout!
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Pimp Corner
Posts: 7,079
Thanks: 7
Thanked 120 Times in 75 Posts
Kato is a guruKato is a guru
Default

My advice would be to get a GT Forester which is already a turbo. Far easier and much cheaper on the wallet than a conversion to an Outback if funds are tight.
__________________
[COLOR="Gray"]550Nm off a 2L... Just wish it was in the dak dak...[/COLOR]
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-06-2012, 10:59 AM
ginkumo12's Avatar
Potty Training Scoobie Noobie
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Perth
Posts: 39
Thanks: 6
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
ginkumo12 at standard level
Default

Yeah, I've been thinking of getting a GT forester, but how long will those last? I was thinking of spending a max of $8k on a 2nd hand Subie wagon. I've seen Forester GTs go from $4500 to beyond my limit. I'm also trying to keep it auto as I'm intending it to be a daily that's easy to drive. I have no issues driving manual, but the ease of auto right now is just tempting. Plus more of my friends/family can drive it if they need. I may be able to bring this car down to $2500, but I need to know how much engine swap labour will cost as the engine is my only concern for now.
Not to disregard your advice, I really appreciate any info shared. Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-06-2012, 12:10 PM
GX-REX's Avatar
Sign me up!
The Converter
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Hocking
Posts: 2,837
Thanks: 13
Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts
GX-REX at standard level
Default

Rough guesstimate would be as follows.

GC8 or GT Foz front cut - $3000
Labour - $5000 -$6000
I would also have a 100k service done on it which would be around $1000

Honestly not worth while unless you are doing all the work yourself or if it is a "special" car.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-06-2012, 01:49 PM
ginkumo12's Avatar
Potty Training Scoobie Noobie
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Perth
Posts: 39
Thanks: 6
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
ginkumo12 at standard level
Default

Thanks for the info, GX-REX
Tempted to post a "nothing to do here" meme :P , but I'd be only after the engine + tranny which I've seen to be floating around the $1-2k mark.
I'm gonna be speaking to someone who helps a family friend restore cars and see how much he charges for labour.

These numbers are definitely worth considering, but I'm gonna see how many expenses I can squeeze my way past.

Many thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-06-2012, 03:47 PM
Strubaru's Avatar
Perth WRX Old Skool Cool Dude
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: the narcotic suite
Posts: 3,511
Thanks: 14
Thanked 39 Times in 38 Posts
Strubaru knows their stuff
Default

definitely better off starting with a gt forester

have been down this road myself, most wrx aftermarket parts will be plug & play & bolt on (suspension, swaybars, turbo's, headers, silicone hoses, engines/gearboxes

at the end of the day it will always be worth more than a liberty conversion too

Last edited by Strubaru; 01-06-2012 at 03:53 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-06-2012, 05:09 PM
WRX Hi Five Club
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: perth
Posts: 166
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
chriSTIan at standard level
Default

foz all the way,Gt of course
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-06-2012, 05:48 PM
Patch's Avatar
STI Master
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hills
Posts: 706
Thanks: 2
Thanked 37 Times in 29 Posts
Patch at standard level
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ginkumo12 View Post
but I'd be only after the engine + tranny which I've seen to be floating around the $1-2k mark.
Don't think it works as smoothly as that, unfortunately... wiring looms change between turbo and non-turbo models, and even between revisions of engines, so there are a lot of different plugs/sensors and what not. Radiators are different, intakes are different... much simpler to start with the complete package (i.e. a front cut) and go from there. Would need a matching rear diff as well, and brake/suspension upgrades are never a bad idea either.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-06-2012, 06:14 PM
Pimpreza's Avatar
Flat Four Father
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Slums of Warnbro.
Posts: 2,122
Thanks: 4
Thanked 32 Times in 31 Posts
Pimpreza at standard level
Default

Look for a cheap twin turbo GTB 94-98 wagon, then when you can afford to change it to single turbo, 7yrs ago I converted my 98 Liberty with V3 STI running gear, still got it and love it to bits even though it's hail damaged and the paint is rooted, but back then I spent 11k on the car, 6k on the front cut with rear x member & wheels and about 6k on the conversion which I did half of inc a Butler exhaust system, better off buying one that's either been done or go for the GT/GTB as most were auto. The wiring is a complete headfuck too.
__________________
Beaten up old 98 Gen 2 Liberty, 13.0, stock V3 STI running gear.
07 Transit motor home
69 VF & 70 VG Valiants needing full restoration
Yamaha Zooma 50cc rocket hopefully going with the Transit.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
buying, engine, gen2, info, outback, swap

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Official: Subaru releases 2013 Legacy, Outback details ahead of New York debuts rss.feed General Subaru Discussion 0 30-03-2012 05:20 AM
2011 Subaru Legacy, Outback models recalled over fly-away moonroofs rss.feed General Subaru Discussion 0 20-09-2011 07:00 AM
EJ25 Quad cam info Guyph_01 General Subaru Discussion 1 14-12-2010 07:40 PM
EJ25 Quad cam info Guyph_01 General Subaru Discussion 1 13-12-2010 11:57 PM
Review: 2010 Subaru Outback adds size, power and refinement for a big wagon winner rss.feed General Subaru Discussion 0 23-12-2009 10:50 AM



Welcome to Perth-WRX, click here to register!

All times are GMT +8. The time now is 02:15 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO