Sapper 157

Ok so I am considering getting a K&N air filter for my blue buddy (1984 GL Wagon EA81. 165,262 mi), but im really torn at this point. I have heard wonderful things about K&N. I have read up quite a bit about them and I really would like one. But before I do I thought I would check with the magical subaru farries which dwell within this form . Anyone ever run or currently run a K&N? Any noticeable gains in performance (mpg, power, acceleration, filtration). The main thing stopping me right now is the rather steep $65 for the filter. In reality, the thing would pay itself off in no time because you never need to throw it away, but I wanted to make extra, extra, extra, sure that it is worth laying down sixty five smackers for. Thoughts? Experiences?

Crap. I was hoping you wouldnt say that. I'll try the ohm meter like you suggested. haha thanks for the happy new year and same to you. its a balmy 9 degrees now . so its going to definitely fall into the negatives tonight.

When my dad first acquired what is now my soobie, he had a tune up done on it, and a block heater put in. its REALLY nice to be able to start it so easily in sub zero idaho temps. But when I went to start it this afternoon (outside temp was about 8 degrees fahrenheit) I had the ROUGHEST cold start I have EVER experienced with this car! the temp gauge confirmed that although I had it plugged in, the car did not heat up the way it normally does when I have it plugged in all night. Something went haywire, and im lost as to what it could be. I plugged it in again today when the engine was cold, and normally you can hear a very audible "hiiisssssssss" when the block heater is working but I heard nothing. Any ideas??

You totally should, it would look awesome! I cant imagine mine without it now!

Nice looking wagon, inside and out!

Nice brush guard you got on there.

Whats your average mpg?

Here is the list of things that I have so far improved or changed. 1. New V-belt 2. Fixed overhead light 3. New seat covers 4. Carpet added to back 5. Coolant flushed & refilled 6. New Transmission fluid 7. New rear differential fluid 8. Oil & oil filter changed 9. New OEM clutch cable 10. Seat belt fixed (twisted) 11. Sun visor fixed (wouldn’t stay up) 12. New wind shield wipers 13. Rough left turn fixed 14. New oil pan gasket 15. Fixed gas tank leak 16. New back hatch lift supports 17. Repainted/repaired rust spots 18. Repainted lettering 19. New spark plugs 20. Cleaned carburetor w/ additives (GUMOUT cleaner/ Seafoam) 21. New starter 22. Undercoated inside of hood 23. Undercoated backside of bumper 24. New speakers 25. New thermostat/thermo gasket 26. New thermostat bolts 27. New 10 blade Flex-a-lite electric fan 28. Animal whistles installed 29. Fire Extinguisher installed 30. Tool kit added 31. Survival kit added 32. Windshield chips filled 33. New fog light switch 34. OEM oil press. Sending unit 35. Radiator leak fixed 36. Radiator wobble fixed 37. Fuel filters changed 38. New air filter 39. New PCV (or is it PVC?) filter 40. Undercoated spot where battery sits 41. New distributor cap and rotor 42. Armor All bug bra applied 43. New flood lights 44. Emergency tools put in: shovel, 12V air compressor, tow strap, fire extinguisher, StopLeak, one quart of emergency 10W-30 oil, one extra gal antifreeze

here is the carpeted back. On the left is my tool bag and on the right is my survival kit.

That black on the hood is a rubberized spray-on bug bra that is made by ArmorAll. Its called Custom Shield and it can be removed at any time. One can costs about $13. Without the bra it just looks kinda plain so im super happy with it. Adds a lot of character to the car As far as the roof rack goes, im sorry but I just couldn't bring myself to sell those, they're so darn useful. I have a roof box that a friend gave me and for long trips where we need to haul a lot of gear I just throw it on those cross bars, tighten it down, an in under 5 minutes its on and ready to go. I also use it for holding our skis during snow season. If I ever do get rid of them youll be the first to know. I'll keep my eyes and ears peeled for some other ones for ya.

Thanks! Yeah I have winter studs on right now. Snow storms have been hitting our area and then rain comes and washes it all away, then the snow comes again, etc. As you can see in the engine compartment I have a full size studded spare instead of the annoying donut tire. As far as street tires for next year, I talked with my local auto shop and they said they can fix me up with four brand new tires by a company called Kenda, balance, and alignment.... all for $288. Pretty good deal right? I think it is hilarious because when I told my friend who drives this big longbed 94' Ford turbo diesel that I was getting that kind of pricing for everything, his jaw about hit the floor and he was like "$288!?! ONE of my tires costs almost $288!!"

Finally got Bandit pretty enough to post on this thread. He's a 1984 EA81 GL Wagon with a four speed four-wheel-drive Dual Range standard transmission. He was my dad's daily driver for about six years until my dad recently upgraded to a Toyota truck, and I received bandit as my first car in April. I've been fixing him up as much as possible. I'm trying to make sure he's well taken care of because my dad never really did much for him. He would change the oil when it needed to be done and would fix things when they broke but other than that he didn't do much. Now almost 8 months later, Bandit is sitting real pretty and looking and running great. I'll upload a list of all the things that I have fixed/improved on it since I got the car. In the mean time here are some pics.

I got an EA81, took mine off with no problem. the back ones are kinda tricky but as stated there are holes so you can reach the bolts. ahhhhh... the wonderful simplicity of an old soobie! Unlike these new fangled machines. You need an electrician and a mechanic for even the most basic malfunctions.

So my cap I have on right now was replaced about five or six years ago. I took it off the other day and there was a little corrosion, not too bad though. Is it advised that after six years and who knows how many miles that I should get a new one? Or is this one gonna last another six years? Thanks all!

okay after I went back and looked I found a perfect spot for the coolant. That really helps to set my mind at ease.

Batteries!! I knew I was forgetting something obvious. Where excactly can that extra jug of coolant go? I looked in the engine compartment of my ride (84 Gl wagon EA81), I cant find a good spot for it. You should post a pic of where you put it so my tiny brain can understand exactly where you put the jug of coolant.

Okay so I think its no secret that the majority of us subaru guys take our rides into some extreme places. Since we're human, sometimes we forget to fill the tank all the way, or push our rides too far, and end up stranding ourselves in the middle of nowhere until help arrives. Or like all vehicle owners, we find ourselves getting buried in a freak blizzard or something like that. The point being to all this that its a good idea to keep a survival and roadside assistance kit in or vehicles. I have a survival kit in my car,but I know there is more I can add to it. Here's my list, I know there is other stuff that I am forgetting or would be helpful so please chime in with your own list! Survival Matches, WetFire, two lighters, Swedish Steel 3 fleece blankets, 2 space blankets Energy bars H2O purification tabs NOAA Crank weather radio 3 flashlights Extra batteries (AAA and AA) 8-10 chemical hand warmers Deck of cards .22cal Ruger pistol 50' poly rope (or paracord) hatchet Survival knife (I threw in my Gerber Bear Grylls ultimate knife) Knife sharpener T.P. Survival whistle Glow sticks (use them as flares) 3-5 Shotgun shells (my Remington is in the car with me about 60% of the time and even when its not the powder can be used as a fire starter.) Compass Medical Assorted bandaids Quickclot pads gauze ​Ibuprofen & tylenol Q-Tips med tape burn pads (for severe burns) Aloe Vera antibiotic ointment Tums Anti-diarrheal Chapstick Alcohol Pads Sports tape Mechanical/ Roadside Assistance Guerilla Tape QuickSteel (Basically steel-in-a-tube, awesome stuff!) General tool kit Jack Jumper cables Tire plugs 12v Air compressor Electrical supplies (wire, elec tape, fuses etc.) Shovel 1 quart 10W-30 blended synthetic oil Towstrap WD-40 4 brand new spark plugs Extra thermostat/gasket Fire Extinguisher Zip-ties 1 bottle of cankcase, tranny, power steering stopleak Gallon of coolant Okay so thats what I have in my ride. Now what did I forget that would be useful?

As long as im asking about fuel pumps, how much does a new OEM one run for; just so I know incase mine should suddenly poop out?

haha okay I guess that puts my mind at ease (with the exception of the random and untimely failure)

How long does the fuel pump on an EA81, 1984 GL Wagon usually last? My ride has 164,000mi on it. How long do you gurus think I have left? thanks all!

this thread really shouldn't be pinned anymore, it serves no purpose.

thats what I did. worked like a charm

Its Beautiful!

Did the 87 GL have a clutch cable?? I just replaced my crappy aftermarket cable in my '84 GL Wagon with a fresh Subaru OEM cable and with the aftermarket my clutch was very stiff and the shifting wasn't good at all. now with the OEM cable, the shifting is as smooth as a babys bottom with melted butter, and the clutch is soft as a pile of Angel Soft toilet paper! So... if the 87 has a cable, maybe that needs to be replaced? Congrats on the new car!!

Just got the OEM clutch cable in. HOLY STINKIN MOLY!!! I have NEVER had my sooby shift that smooth before!! That's amazing!! You guys where defiantly right about the OEM cable! It's amazing!