Subaruist

Brats LOVE a good oil change! If money is not tight, I would strongly recommend the following: #1: If you change your own oil, "first" do so with some cheap-cheap stuff, run it for days or a couple weeks, and then.... #2: Go to one of those professional oil change places - ask around for a good one, you don't want incompetent careless people. #3: Go to a place that will make you a deal (discountif possible) where you get the special oil change job with a thorough flush - lots of gunk builds up in these older engines, no matter how well you take care of them. It costs a lot more, but its good medicine for your Brat. The deal - you supply some of the oil, that being one quart bottle of Slick 50, unless there is another 'super oil' kind you prefer, and one quart of Lucas Film!!! Lucas Film is great stuff! It will get the oil, slick 50 or whatever into many nooks and higher places inside that engine, grerat stuff, and not expensive.Check out how it works, many auto parts places have a demo on the counter with gear wheels that show how it gets all up into everything like taffy or something. Stop in to that oil change shop fairly regularly, and change your oil at LEAST as often as recommended, if not more often. Have fun!

That doesn't look like a traditional pink that I would expect, but its beautiful! Kinda looks like pink with a little raspberry tint or something. Nice!

Ain't it great to drive something so fun to drive???

TIP: Don't get plastic toggle switches - they are cheap and break easily. If you really want to make it look cool, maybe have at least one secure-covered arming switch (the type where you flip up a cover to reveal the toggle). 'Round hole' switches are much easier to install than 'square hole' types. - I'm sure you already know this. If you are willing to wait for a delivery, most components can be bought from Hong Kong on Ebay for a fraction of what they would cost you here, especially since the ones you would buy here usually come from there to begin with, lol...

There is a wealth of info in these forums, most of what can be imagined has been covered in one way or another. But what would be great is if the older subarus, especially due to thier being fairly simple vehicles could be fully documented in a specific refernce section foreach basic type? What I am talking (writing) about, for example(s) is that I would love to have straight-on reference images of the bottom of my style of Brat, taken from dead center, without angle, with good lighting, etc. I could use such to help figure out/design the unorthodox exhaust system I want to build, and maybe even make a CADD drawing, even if only in 2D. Similarly, high quality/definition photos, taken straight-on, in profile would be great for experimenting with paint jobs in Photoshop and for other purposes. - These can be found through Google image search, which I have done, so maybe no need for this, specifically, - but you get the idea? Next would be enhanced wiring diagrams, Vacuum diagrams, etc. and eventually a full basic 3D CADD file, with matching picture files for those who don't do CADD, to help people with all kinds of customizing and projects, to see what can fit, where to route pipes, tubes, wires, etc. It could be a virtual compendium, a nearly full digitalisation of the older Subarus. I am tempted to do some of this myself, especially some basic CADD, but as with many of us, my time is limited, and I have so much to physically do with my Subaru that I could not possibly do it all myself. However, if those with specific knowledge, documentation, etc. contribute a little here and there, then the sum of us all could make quite an online, publicly available reference work. Eventually ther could be various files, from/for various programs, graphics, etc thata person could virtually add a brush guard to the front of thier Subaru to see what it would look like, or to help to see how a part or engine from one type of subaru might fit on another, or be adapted, etc. Ifsomeone had the right software, photos could be digitized into CADD or other 3D programs, and then rendered into incredibly detailed, accurate and easy to see images. Again, I know that much of this info is available in one form or another on USMB, mostly in forum text and a photos here and there, scattered about the various threads, but if there was enough interest, we could start building a 'Virtual Subaru' reference compendium centralizing and organizing all that knowledge and experience into an easy to find, easy to understand, and fun to play with online entity. Imagine 3D models of each basic type of Subaru, and reference links to what various people have done with them. Although this is just a forum, mostly textand pictures, it could for the basis of something great. Imagine seeing what an engine with turbo, or a super charger, or twin carburetors would look like? You could also see what size and shape of hole you would have to cut in the hood to accomodate something. Maybe even a sheet metal pattern thatcould be printed, and used as a template to cut sheet metal to make a cool looking hood scoop, or how to fit an already existing hood scoop from a more modern Subaru. For another example, I have some experience in Virtual Reality, and there is a free, basically state-of-the-art online Virtual world called 'Second Life'. With the right info, files, etc. a Virtual Subaru could be made, and you could even drive it if you wanted to. - Just a basic splash of possibilities, concepts and ideas, out of which some middle ground of possibility might arise... What do you say? is anyone with graphics capabilities/programs interested?

Nice - what are you using for the switch box?

What I am wondering about are the side pipes or lake pipes I have seen in google images or on ebay - should I assume that they have some kind of glass pack or baffling built in? Some that I have seen look too narrow to have much of that. I also notice that many have the end outlets covered - does that mean that they are not any form of muffler, have no glass pack or baffles, and are either purely cosmetic or something that is not street legal or something ??? I confused, lol...

The problem I am running into now is finding an affordable 'T' section for the crosspipe. Being that it is going to be a dual exhaust, a 'Y' will probably not do...

Yes and no - Not already existant exhaust from a given motorcycle, but new motorcyle exhaust kit/parts. ( Although I saw a couple of used exhausts from a motorcyle at a thrift shop and was momentarily tempted, lol ) Here's the deal... I wanted dual exhausts, bought most of the parts to do so, but the 'bender' pipe I needed was nowhere to be found, and it was complicated by the fact that my Brat was designed/built with space for a muffler on one side in the rear, but not on the other side. I would have had to pay for custom exhaust pipe for most of the length, and that costs too much for me, I have a lot to do on my Brat, and if I go the traditional way with everything, it would take way too much money and time. I am pretty good with problem solving, conceptual and mechanical design, and improvising, so I decided to do something different. Next idea was to see if I could just attach my small glass packs directly to the ends of the exhaust pipes after the 90 degree turn, and then route them out just behind the front tire. There were potential issues with such a short system, and as I have learned, there needs to be some kind of 'Y', or cross pipe due to "back pressure" issues. There was also the issue of exhuast fumes coming out at the doors. Next idea I started was to run coaxial pipes - one inside the other, running them under the doors like side pipes on hot rods, but using some kind of perforated pipe on the inside wrapped with fiberglass/muffler packing, with a stainless steel larger pipe on the outside, and essentially turning the entire exhaust into a long glass pack muffler. I'm not sure if that is what side pipes or "lake" pipes do anyway. Whilst lookng for somthing for the perforated inner pipe, I discovered that such can be bought, but that the right, small diameter needed for a Subaru exhaust was not very common, but turns out to be very common with motorcycle exhausts. In that same search, I found multiple websites/source for motorcycle "Exhuast kits" or parts, with virtually eveything I would need to make exactly what I wanted. So in the end, I plan on using motorcycle exhaust kit/parts to build Side pipes or "lake" pipes/exhaust for my Brat. They are the perfect size/scale, and with one on each side, they would not be handling much more than the average large motorcycle, like a Harley. They may be just a bit on the louder side, but hell, I have an exhaust leak right now, and somehow the idea of my Brat potentially sounding a little like a Harley does not seem too bad, and the look of perfectly scaled hot-rod style side pipes would look pretty cool too. Note the pictures below for examples: These are pics off the net, and show "normal" Automotive side pipes, which are likely not as slim as Motorcyle parts/exhaust would be, and include protective grating to prevent muffler burns, lol. I would find something to do same, and the end result would probably look vary similar, but again, possibly slimmer, and even possibly more stylish.

I am suprized that with two separate regular mufflers, and that was still too loud, so you added baffles??? Is is that you wanted a super quiet machine, or is there some other factor, like being a relatively short exhaust system made it louder than normal - I would think that nomatter what, two normal (not glasspack) mufflers would be more than enough... I like jhow you set it all up- turning the mufflers vertically on each side may have been necessary, but it also looks good. Thanks for sharing.

A bit off topic??? Wrong forum??? oh well... lol...

Sorry I did not get around to / finding this suggestion until now... I followed your instructions, and where it would be I found no such thing as "Member Title". I found "Ezboard name" and changed it, but apparently that was not it. There is Gender, Location, Interests, Full Real Name, Occupation, Ezboard name, Referral, Biography, and Vehicles, in that order. No "Member Title". I don't understand... Why only me??? I confused!!! Lol

I actually bought replaceents for all my dash lighting in LED -BUT! I have small, simple headlamps that use various kinds of LEDs, and every one of them causes someinterference on my radio, so I have putt hem away and decided to stick with incandescents. If you could, maybe you could bring an AM/FM radio into your car, turn one the dash lights, turn signal blinkers, etc. and see if your LED dash lighting causes any interference on AM or FM ??? - As I recall, the interference was on (or worse on) certain frequencies mostly,not sure which ones, and you probably have different stations where you live. I would be greatful for some reall ife input on this! Thanks

I love it!!! The Subaru Brat, one of the funnest, coolest looking vehicles ever made, was made by a Japanese company, but by (orwith) and American designer, for almost anyone but the Japanese, and was never sold in Japan !!! I'm sure that a few somehow made thier way to Japan via their owners, but otherwise, I bet the Japanese would love a nice, customised Brat! I also bet that Japanese girls would go nuts over them! - I know quite a few American girls are impressed with them! What a wonderful vehicle!...

I am already finding possible sources for DIY Motorcycle exhaust parts that look really good - Links: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/35117/i/paughco-build-your-own-pipe-1-3-4-exhaust-pipe-kit -------------------------------- http://www.coneeng.com/motorcycle_components.html -------------------------------- http://mattymotorcycle.tv/tag/motorcycle-exhaust/ --------------------------------------------- http://www.69cycle.com/parts/exhausts/exhausts.html -------------------------------------------- http://www.thefind.com/cars/info-hooker-motorcycle-exhaust http://www.hotbikeweb.com/vance-hines-monster-ovals http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/35117/i/paughco-build-your-own-pipe-1-3-4-exhaust-pipe-kit http://www.coneeng.com/motorcycle_components.html http://mattymotorcycle.tv/tag/motorcycle-exhaust/ http://www.69cycle.com/parts/exhausts/exhausts.html http://www.thefind.com/cars/info-hooker-motorcycle-exhaust http://www.hotbikeweb.com/vance-hines-monster-ovals https://www.mikesxs.net/products-44.html https://www.mikesxs.net/products-44.html

In my own situation, I have decided, one way or the other, thatI am goingtohave 'side-pipes' or 'Lake pipes' for my exhust(s), even if I have to fabricate them myself from scratch. However, in researching the parts to do so, we have the smaller-than-most diameter of Subaru exhuasts vs. other vehicles, and I might have to get perforated muffllertubing - for motorcycles as a result. I wonder... how close would the right motorcycle exhaust come to what would be needed for a Subaru??? There would still be the complication of the needed cross pipe, but otherwise, maybe Motorcycle exhausts would work just fine once attached to such??? Might be a tad louder than a normal exhaust, but then again, would it be such a bad thing for your Subaru to sound alittle like a Harley ?? lol... - a 4WD Harley ?!? lol...

Sadly, that will never happen - not inthe USA anyway - due to both the modern industrial mindset, and tons of regulation. It would be possible in South America and other countries, as you can still buy a good old fashioned VW Bug there. The modern version, the "Baja" has almost nothing in common with the old Brats, other than similar shape and 4WD/AWD. They have all the gadgetry and modern crapola that most modern vehicles do, and all the failings that come with them. Part of the The older Brats' magic was in thier simplicity. Few parts, basically well made, few things to fail, so much less chance of failure. Every system, gadget, sensor and computer you add to a vehicle is just one more thing that can failor complicate things. Whereas the older Brats and Subarus did not even have a timing chain, which provedthat such things were not needed. Sure,you can get more power and efficiency with timing belts, electronic ignitions, etc. etc. etc, etc. - but you also get more complication, more things to fail, and allmaing it harder tofix should something go wrong. Now if someone could find and steal all the original blueprints, designs, etc, To older Brats and other Subarus and run off to South America with a Lottry winning, they could make a slightly new design to avoid copyright and patent lawsuits and create the next phenomena...

WOW !!! I could have sworn it was a Japanese gentleman, but you know what this means?!?... The Subaru Brat is an AMERICAN Design !!! A legendary design by a legendary designer ! This is wonderful !!!

I have to ask, specifically, why are 5 speed transmissions so loved? I HATE 1st gear in my 4 speed, and wich I couldjust start off in 2nd and never even use 1st. With a 5 speed, you would have to go through 5 gears to get past 60 mphinstead of 4. I would guess that 1st gear might not be any better for me in a 5 speed than with my 4 speed. Somebody edjicate me?

- UPDATE - According to the business owner 'somebody' hooked up to it and took it away, and it was not towed, so it looks like the owner finally clamed it. - That or someone stole it! I am laughing because of how we were all circling like vultures, wanting to claim its vital parts! lol... If I had enough money to make some reasonable offer on it for a parts car I would have left a note on the windshield. I had cleverly reserved 'first dibs' for myself by not giving its exact location, lol... Oh well, we should all keep an eye out for dead, abandoned, or forgotten Subarus in general. None should ever go to waste, even if dead.

It was already parked in the alley behind the business

I used to know this, but have forgotton. I know the Leone had a designer, but I think it was someone else who adapted/modified the design for the Subaru Brat. Who was it? I want his name on my Brat when I paint it! - along with the designation NCC 1701-Q, lol

I like what appear to be individual headlight grills! The vehicle as a whole looks pretty cherry!

The more I think about it, the more I think that either the owner wrote it off / does not value it, or got into trouble and will not be able to recover it. If it were mine, or belonged to most anyone who frequents a forum like this, it would not be there still. I would get a friend to pull it, or pay $50 to get it towed - unless it was in such bad condition that it was not worth it, which again would indicate that it has been written off. If he loved it, it would probably not be there. He would have at least contacted the business owner and told them he would be back soon for it, or asked them not to tow it because they are working to get it back, and has not, according to the business owner. My bet is that it is an abandoned orphan.

The registration is still good for almost another entire year. Two bottles of coolent in the back - means cooling system problems. Gas can and rope in the back, so It may have broken down on the street nearby and been towed/pushed to its present location. Coil on the front bumper - means electrical/starting problems. Very little else in the car, except for a very few misc personal items, like a cheap 'custom' dagger, that would indicate young/teen driver or owner. Owner has left it there for reportedly 3-4 days, and has apparently not been able to get a friend to help tow/pull it home, and cannot afford to pay for a tow, or its possible that they got into trouble so they could not make it back to take care of it, or just said to hell with it and went on with their life. Rear bumper is one big, long piece of angle iron with a trailer hitch ball welded on it. lol How many times have I seen similar, lol. I used to buy things like this, take them home and strip them for parts, lol. I like the wheels too, except that they are aluminum. The tires are very low on tread. I like the front brush guard, except my brat is going to be street, not off-road. Not sure if it would even bolt on to my Brat. I would love to pull a lot of misc. little parts off of it.... Alternator, water pump, gas pump, interior, etc. I want the seats if they are good ! lol.