Rooster2

You are welcome!!

The 2.2 motor in a 92 Leggie has a "bullet proof" reputation. With proper oil changes, they will run 300K miles easily. The ignition switch concern may be the result of a starter going bad, or the switch mechanism itself is bad. Neither are difficult to fix. Crank case oil leak most likely from a leaky valve cover gasket or seal. Only way to really tell, is to clean the oil off, and then look to see where oil is leaking out. If it runs and drives good, with no other obvious issues, then the car should be a good car to buy. It is prolly a good idea to look at the boots on each end of the half shafts, to see if the rubber boots are split open. Also, figure on doing a brake job. I have never bought a used car, that wasn't on the verge of needing new brake pads. If you buy this or some other Subie, post your car concerns and problems here. Lots of good people here to help keep your Subie running. Subies are very easy to work on. Good access to everything, except the spark plugs.

The 2.5 DOHC motor in a '97 will blow its head gaskets at some time. I made it to 146K miles on a 98, and 190K miles on a 99 with the same engine. If you are serious about the 97, ask about head gasket work already done on this car, and if so, ask for receipts showing that the work was done. All '96-99 Legacys with the 2.5 motor have temperature gauges, but there is no dash warning light to alert the driver that the engine is over heating. If you don't keep an eye on the temp gauge, it is easy not to notice the motor over heating, and not realize it. $3000, sounds a little high for a Subie in North Carolina, where you live. Maybe that is just the asking price. I am thinking the owner would take $2,000-$2,500 for the car.

How bad are the head gaskets leaking?? On a 2002, they always leak externally, and leak coolant outside the engine. It is a common problem. You can drive a long time with this condition, just be sure to keep adding coolant, and don't let the car run low on coolant and over heat. Subaru dealership offers a "coolant conditioner", which is basically a "stop leak" product to be added to the cooling system. It may not stop a coolant leak, but will substantially reduce the leak. It is something that I would try using first. If the problem is bad enough, that the head gaskets must be replaced, then highly recommend using Subaru OEM head gaskets. The Subaru gaskets work well, after market head gaskets from NAPA may or may not work well. A $500 Subaru is a great bargain, if it runs pretty well. Have fun with your new car. Be sure to ask for more advise here, if you have questions............everyone here is eager to help others.

Going to the 2.2, you loose maybe 20-30 hp., compared to the 2.5. It isn't that noticeable, until you want to accelerate hard on a freeway on ramp, or try to pass someone. Gas millage will be maybe 2-3 mpg better then the 2.5 Like we both agree, the 2.2 is like velvet smooth in operation. Somehow, the 2.5 doesn't have the smoothness. I own 2 Outbacks, a 98 & 99, one with the 2.5, the other with a transplanted 2.2, so the difference is very noticeable to me.

I replaced the 2.5 with a 2.2 in my 98 OBW a couple of years back. I, too, find the 2.2 to be a smoother engine, less vibration too.

I have a 95, 2.2 in my 98 OBW, that replaced the original 2.5. The existing ECM works just fine with the 2.2 motor.

My only experience is swapping in KYB struts. I have no knowledge regarding swapping in parts from other Subarus. Others here may chime in to answer you. Better yet, start a new topic on this forum asking about suspension upgrades, and swap in suspensions from other Subarus. That will give you a wider reader response, and better chance for advise.

If, at some point, you want to install a motor with more horse power, then consider building a "frankenmotor." Lots written on doing this. Just search this forum, using the word "frankenmotor" in the search box. This would not be an expensive daunting task, and would be an easy plug and play bolt in. Its mostly changing heads to increase compression ratio for more horse power.

I assume these will do the same, based on weight, engine position and the front wheels doing some of the driving. Actually the front wheels do almost all of the driving. I think I read somewhere its like 90% front wheels, 10% rear wheels. So that should impact how you want to set up the suspension for autocross.

The Outback is a "raised" version of the Legacy, so I don't think low suspension parts from a WRX will fit an Outback. I have had excellent results using KYB struts. A little firmer then OEM, as they are gas filled, are relatively inexpensive, and last a long time. Your car looks great. It is the same color as my 99 OBW. The combo of a 2.2 motor with a 5 speed is a winner. Have fun with your new wheels. Post questions here on this forum. Lots of good people are here, and willing to give you their best advise.

Well, if you just got this car, there is no telling how long it has been sitting around without being driven much. Your "drive ability" may be caused by bad gas in the gas tank. Even a small amount of water, or old gas in the tank causes problems. If this is a possibility, add a gallon of E-85 gas-alcohol to a full tank of fresh gas. The E-85 helps absorb any water in the tank. I have done this with my 99 with the 2.5 motor a couple of times, and both times performance problems disappeared.

Don't take offense about my comment.........but I don't think your Loyale is a good candidate for performance upgrades. It prolly has the 1.8 motor, and as you say it isn't running well. None of the WRX or STI equipment will swap to your car. Nothing would fit, and the electrical wiring is completely different. I have seen pixs of lifter Loyale cars, but don't know the background of how this was done. As suggested, recommend you check in the "older gen" section for advise. Also, as MilesFox just posted here.............141K miles on a Subie doesn't mean the motor is worn out. If you kept the oil changed regularly, you should have many more miles available from that engine. Maybe a good tune up will perk up the performance of your engine.

After driving for a week, check the level of coolant in the radiator, and over flow container, when the engine is cold. You may need to add a bit more antifreeze just to top things off, as there may be just a little bit of air in the cooling system, it will eventually find its way to the top of the radiator. Replace the air with antifreeze, and your cooling system will be completely full.

I don't know the cause, but you may want to disconnect one of the battery cables, wait 20 minutes, then re-attach. Computers, and sensors, and "what not" will have a chance to re-boot fresh, when re-powered. This action may fix the problem, or at least can't hurt anything.

Is car over heating??

My thoughts..........if the new battery has removable caps, then remove the caps to check to see if the battery is full of water. I have bought batteries in the past that were low on water when brand new. Also, check the output of the alternator. I always have this done at an auto parts store, where a counter man will bring his testing unit out to the parking lot to test the alternator and battery at NO cost. Chain parts stores like AutoZone, and Advance Auto parts will do this. Not sure what you mean by potential difference of 13.04 volts?? Is this alternator output?? If so, that is too low.

Before installing the new engine, would anyone recommend replacing the oil separator plate, and seals??

I had a similar problem last year. It turned out to be a frozen slide pin on a front disc brake. With a frozen pin, only a portion of the brake pad had any pressure against the rotor, so I had to really push o the pedal to get it to stop.

From my knowledge the 2.2 from an 01 Impreza should bolt in with no hassle. Others on this forum are more "hands on" then I am in doing motor transplants, and have first hand knowledge of the transplant. I hope they respond with their thoughts.

If it were me, I would find a good used motor from a wrecking yard. You can go to local wrecking yard's websites to look for motors. Prices will be reasonable.

Nope.........two different body styles...........will not interchange.

Here is another way to tell the difference between an EJ-22 and 25. The 22 will have two large indents on the timing belt cover, the 25 will have four indents on the timing belt cover. Top of the engine blocs are embossed either with EJ22 or EJ25. Once you read that, you will know for sure

Covering over an oil warning light with tape, is as effective as covering over skin cancer with a band-aid. Both courses of action are likely to kill both you, and your motor. I hope your girl friend has learned her lesson, and has better judgement in other aspects of her life. You could buy a used motor from a wrecking yard for the Forester, or a tranny for your friend's car. Figure on spending $1,000 for tranny, or up to $2,000 for motor installed.

Is it possible that the high beam filaments are burned out on both bulbs?? Suggest replacing one of the head light bulbs to see if that fixes the high beam in that head light fixture.