themixtoo

YO...MY SUSPENSION IS ALL IMPREZA THERE ARE NO BRAT PIECES LEFT:grin: . Gary

I think this is my first post in this forum even tho my wife has a BAJA and I have a 2.5RS Impreza, but here goes. I have installed the complete suspension from my daughter's wrecked '95 Impreza Outback Sport station wagon on my '83 Brat. The placement of the lower spring mounts that are welded to the strut tube will not let me install oversize tires without interference problems. I found the true solution and that is to install a complete coil-over kit for about $1500. Does anyone make a kit that you can just cut off the lower spring mount and re-use (or buy new struts) install a new lower spring mount that uses a smaller dia coil spring and a new top spring mount. This will give me the extra room for larger diameter tires. If this is in the wrong forum, SORRY . Any input will be appreciated. Thanks, Gary

I'm still in the process of installing the complete drivetrain from my daughter's '95 Impreza into the chassis of an '84 Turbo 2dr hardtop that has already been made into a Brat/convertible. The hardest part of this is the relocation of the Impreza suspension to BOLT up to the '84. It's a 2.2 EJ with AWD automatic and I'll be using all of the Impreza wiring harnesses and computers. Gary in Cleveland

Hey, Mike, this is Gary in Cleveland, what does this headlight surround look like? I might have one still in the Subaru wrapper. Do you know the part number? The ones I have still have part number tags on them.

Sorry I've been gone so long, lots of projects have forced the Brat to the backburner. I think I've solved the strut problem for a minimal cost. I cut the lower strut spring mount off the strut and welded it to a piece of pipe that slides over the OEM strut. In it's compressed state (out of the car) one turn of the coil spring is about 3.5 inches so I cut the pipe (that I welded the spring mount) 3.5 inches longer than where it was on the strut (this much is done so far) and then I will cut one turn off the coil spring and re-assemble. This new outer tube that slides over the strut will be spot welded at the two ears that clamp around the spindle in order to keep it from rotating around the strut. Gary....pix will follow

Well trans tunnel is 'welded' in. My 110 volt welder sure leaves a lot to be desired. I'm going to have to load the Brat up on my friends' trailer and take it to work where it can be welded better.

Turbo Brat clone started life in Japan as an '84 Turbo 2-dr hardtop. Now if 'coupe'='hardtop' (not as far as I'm concerned) then we're all on the same page. I think Subaru did call their 2 dr hartop a coupe, but for all practical purposes a hardtop and a coupe are really two different things. A hardtop means a car with no post between the door window and the rear side windows and the rear window retracts to give the 'look' of a convertible. A coupe (like an XT or EA-81 type hatchback) means a car that the rear side window is separated by a metal post and the glass may or maynot go up and down. Gary

OK, OK, I just checked my 4WD automatic trans that I took out of my Turbo Brat clone and GUESS WHAT???? 25 SPLINES Soooooo Mudrat79 is right again. Gary

I only made that suggestion because I'm installing an Impreza trans tunnel in my Brat and part of it did interfere with the heater box. Out came my electric die grinder and wallla no more trouble, but I think it will still operate ok, maybe not perfect but hey it's 22 years old now....Gary

So what year radio to what year GL? Subaru made 'GL's for a long time. If you really like this radio mark the heater box where the interference is and cut it out, the heater core doesn't go all the way against the plastic heater box cover and that's what the radio is hitting. Right? If it's the air duct, REMOVE it, sound is more important than heat or A/C . Gary

IF THE CYLINDER HEAD IS MOUNTED HORIZONTALY THEN THE CAM IS OVER THE HEAD. IF THE HEAD IS MOUNTED VERTICALY (LIKE A SUBARU OR A PORCHE) THEN THE OVERHAD CAM IS BESIDE THE HEAD. iF YOU TOOK THE HEAD OFF AND LAYED IT DOWN ON A TABLE YOU WOULD SEE THAT THE CAM OPERATES THE VALVES FROM ABOVE WHICH MEANS OVERHEAD CAM STYLE. HOPE THIS HELPS. GARY

Carefull, everybody! My 98 2.5RS has production date of 06/97 and I saw the 2.5RS used in the Subaru showroom publication and had to do a doubletake on that one 02/97 it had VIN #xxxxxxxxG400011 and mine has VIN #xxxxxxxxxxG400212

Thanks again, mate. Been on vacation last week, will have some more updates soon. Just cut a 5.5 inch notch in the trans tunnel to install the Impreza sub-frame trans mount. This ones pretty tricky (got to be just right) because it will determine the final angle of the crankshaft/driveshaft. Gary

OOPS

Good to hear your all right...There's nothing like helping others, as I've found, you always receive back more than you give. Whether it's your time or your gifts. Gary

Are you OK Raven, I sent a few more pix on the 17th or 18th? If you didn't get them I'll try again.. Gary

This all depends on whether you put it on the dolley with the front wheels up or the rear wheels up. If you put the front wheels up and manual tranny in neutral you just need to strap the front wheels to the dolley (this is standard procedure) steering wheel does not have to be locked. If you back it on the dolley (rear wheels up) then you will have to lock the steering wheel somehow. Then again, the safest way is front wheels up and remove the driveshaft (that's how I use the dolley with my AWD 'Ru's) actually I just disconnect the driveshaft and wire it up out of the way so it never lets any fluid out of the tailshaft of the tranny. Gary

This is tooo much, I finally pushed the Brat out into the driveway last nite so I could remove the rest of the interior (carpet, rest of turbo underdash wire harness, steering column, digi-dash, etc) because I couldn't open the doors all the way while it was on jackstands in the garage. My wife freaked out , with the 4.25" front lift only done, I've got 16" clearance from the ground to the BOTTOM of the rocker panel (I told her it wouldn't be TOOO High) . Cant wait to start on the rear suspension!!!! Gary

Thanks Andy, I'll give it a shot. Gary

That's a possibility, but I did buy the 15" rims from this group, I really hate the hassle of having to re-sell the rims and buy other rims and pay to have these 27" tires remounted/balanced etc. Also the Impreza struts are now 10 years old, I'd rather just replace the struts if something is available.........Gary

OK, OK, OK.....last night I was finally able to temp. bolt the Impreza front suspension in place (except the swaybar) complete with the original 14" rims and tires. The Brat will actually roll now:grin: ! Get This....the OEM wheel/tire combination is about 23" tall. I already bought 15" rims and 27" all-terain tires to put on this when I'm finished but the Impreza strut will only allow about 1.5 inches larger tire before the inside edge of the tire interferes with the lower strut spring mount thats welded to the strut . Has anybody run into this situation before? Is there an aftermarket strut that uses a smaller diameter spring? Any help would be appreciated......Thanks Again, Gary

Thanks, Again for posting my pix..........Gary:)

Andy, OK I triied this site, still couldn't post any pix. I must be missing something or my PC is blocking something.LOL.........Gary

I'm working on it....Gary

Thanks Bacc, I'll give it a shot. Gary