BeefaRu

yes indeed. Rocks already took out the passenger glass as you can see. Not sure how to protect them for that, but I need to get another glass from hella. --E

I mounted my hella lights below the bumper here, using the existing screws. Works great for me: These things are REALLY bright. they swivel up down/left right. I point them down the road but to the sides a little to catch the deer. A couple 900 mile drives to Montana & they've been great for spotting deer before they're on the road. --E

Thanks! I don't take any credit for the build. In fact, I'm attempting to have a 3rd party connect with the builder to get the specifics on the tranny build. When I get all that info I'll get it up here asap. --E

Its up now. Must've had some emergency maint on the server. Mail server was fine, but website was down for a few hours. --E

Just got around to doing this. The modifications and now the building gallery are operational on the site. Enjoy! http://www.solo-act.com/pages/Alb_beefaru/index.html

Update 2: I did it! Here's the webpage I promised The only gallery up there right now is the Modifications gallery. I'll add more when I get a chance. -- About the tranny I spoke with mudrat this morning and I'll try to get more details. He deduced it could be the tailhousing and parts from a gen1 legacy on the back of the RX tranny and in the center diff. --E

The builder had a lot of troubles after he built my car and I'm sure would prefer to remain anonymous. There are a few here who can tell you how its done. You have to replace a couple things in the center diff so it plays well with the rear diff. --E

Update 2: I did it! Here's the webpage I promised The only gallery up there right now is the Modifications gallery. I'll add more when I get a chance. -- About the tranny I spoke with mudrat this morning and I'll try to get more details. He deduced it could be the tailhousing and parts from a gen1 legacy on the back of the RX tranny and in the center diff. Update 1: I've decided I'm putting up an album tomorrow with all pix of all the mods the car has plus some more pix of the original build. I'll post the link here. And if I can get to edit my readers ride post I'll put it there to. Hey gang, been wanting to do this for a while. Having enjoyed this particular wagon for 8 years, I thought I'd share its story with people who would appreciate it. Its great to have a group like this, and enjoy the story. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/article.php?a=98 edit: wanted to add this photo to the readers ride post, but can't edit. The last backpack trip I did w/ dear old dad in 1999 (and a better shot of the car than I have in the readers ride post.) I plan to create a website that'll have photo albums since upload space is small here. But till then, the story is finally posted. --E

Thanks! I have a mega mountain wide panorama shot from another 4 wheel trip I pasted together, but haven't cleaned up totally. Anyone want to see that? --E

This is one of my favorites

Beautiful! I saw this one in person, but no videos I know of. Pulled just over 600hp from its 2.2 at the time of this photo.

BTW The extra layer didn't affect the carpet and console going back in. No problems there.

Dynamat has a bulk pack that is 36 sq ft. In the pictures you're looking at most of that pack and it easily covers the entire floor and seating area of a wagon or sedan. There's 2-3 s.f. left over that I can put in the cargo area. I bought it for cash out the "back door" of a stereo install place that didn't carry it, but had an installer or two with connections. Normally around 250 and I paid $180 which is about what you can get it for on the internet but without the cost of shipping which can be high since the stuff isn't light. I tell you what. Look at the before and after pix on the carpet. Just taking that out and doing the high pressure hose at the car wash was almost worth it alone. Much cleaner for a pretty much totalled carpet. The truth about dynamatting is its an investment. My ears are naturally sensitive (musician) and now after years of performing for a living in bands and solo they have a constant quiet ringing sound, so I bought the dynamat for the car ahead of a new job that will have me on the road a lot for part of the year. So those are my reasons for spending the $ and time. However, if you have the $ the sound reduction is really nice even around town. Makes your roo "sound" like a more expensive car because its quieter. Many people will also dynamat the doors and ceiling and then put some of the higher temp dynamat on the firewall. I can imagine that would really make a ride very quiet. But thats an investment for a much higher dollar vehicle--unless you love your roo that much. Good luck! --E

Dynamat project Wanted to so something for my car after all the miles its taken care of me, so I had a bunch of maintenance done (bearings, hoses, belts, w pump etc) then I put dynamat on the floor. I just got back from 3 weeks on the road. I went from Denver to Ardmore, Ok, to Big Spring, Tx, to Waco, Tx, to Big Spring, Tx and back to Denver. The tall 5th gear really was nice for long cruising, and the dynamat helped a lot to bring down noise through the floor. The computer on the passenger foot area is from a 90's legacy and is harnessed into the 2.2 under the hood. I'm putting in an aluminum radiator and I'll post some pix of that next. It looks good and the fin design is pretty impressive for air flow & heat dissipation. When I get a chance I'll post an album with some history on the car including build pictures and some fun destinations its been to. --E

Yes its dual range. That's what I originally wanted for the car when it was being put together. I live in Denver. --E

Not a whole lot to see. But I can snap a pic next time its on a lift. --E

Don't know if this helps, but you can do a couple of cool things with the tranny from that car. I didn't do the work, but an 87 rx d/r was put in my 88 wagon & modified to work with a 4:11 legacy LSD. The viscous coupling unit from a legacy was installed to replace the locking dif (I guess they match up pretty well). The vacuum system for the previous locking center diff was modified so pushing the locking diff button on the gearshifter throws in the reduction gear since the diff is not there any more. I had high rpm's in 5th @ interstate speed, so a 5th from a forester was put in there when I needed the clutch replaced. The tranny bolts to a 2.2 legacy engine via an adapter plate. This setup has been working pretty flawless for over 7 years. Some of the things I've enjoyed about using the rx tranny this way: The close ratio gears knocked down to 4:11 are fun for off road. I always have full time 4WD. The button engaged reduction gear is really convenient & pretty quick. The LSD has been very useful. 85mph+ on the highway is a breeze with the long 5th gear. --E

I'm looking for the under bumper front air dam --Eric

I've been driving on this setup for the last 7 years, but I've never known exactly "how" low the 1st gear is with this configuration. --E

I've been wanting to know this for some time, but not sure how to come up with an answer. My wagon has an RX 3:7 dual range full time tranny in it. However, its been dropped to 4:11 to match up with the 4:11 LSD I have. So.....what ratio would that put the RX 1st gear into when in Low range? --E

Thanks I searched and it was him. I PM'd him and MorganM to see what I could dig up. --E

Anybody do that with a GL or Loyale body? Like to ask a few questions for those that have. Thanks, --E

I apologize for blabbing all over my own thread. Someone said check in as I make progress. These are my conclusions so far & what I think I'll do: 1. A 20% improvement is not worth the $ for a custom built Alum radiator. That's a last resort if everything below doesn't turn the tide on heat running AC. 2. Since the experts all concur that its a tossup between Alum. & Brass/Copper I'll stick with the new 2core B/C I have right now. 3. I'll close the gap between condenser & radiator making an air tunnel for better pull through from the fans, & get all condenser fins cleaned out. 4. I'll mount my second low profile fan for a wimpy total 1500 CFM 5. I'll pick up an RX front air dam per Skips suggestion 6. I'll buy the 81 280z hood I found with the heat vent and turbo vent/scoops. They're going in only if the other stuff doesn't work 7. I'll locate the scoop in the best location for a heater core add on and perhaps try that before going full on with a custom radiator. 8 If everything else doesn't work, I'll try the custom radiator, and if I need more room the last resort is to cut and move the radiator forward. But I'm pretty sure I'll never have to do that. Probably won't have to get the custom radiator either. But its good to have a plan. Thats what I've come up with so far. Thanks for the input! Of course any other ideas are welcome! --E

This is completely un-helpful, but this 2.2 is at 600+ HP. Just a wild guess, but parts probably aren't cheap

Interesting...... All the manufacturers say its basically a draw between aluminum & brass. They can both be manufactured to cool about the same amount but with different designs. The newer internal coatings help with longevity in both. Burst issues have brass/copper tubes smaller while aluminum can go larger. From what I've seen racers use aluminum mostly for weight, but I've heard airflow with aluminum is generally better, and larger tubes = better fluid flow and that helps counteract the lower heat transfer. But thats just a bunch of crap I've read. However, there are a lot of manuf. saying alum is better than B/C. But I suspect the profit margin on Aluminum is higher plus it helps pay for the investment in the expensive tooling to do aluminum. Anyway I'm on the fence about A vs B/C because its hard to know who to believe. I tend to lean towards the experts, but they all say its a draw. That being said, I think it could be possible to have a B/C radiator that has better fin density and design than a stock GL single core, or the new stock GL dual core I have in there now. The custom could give me more fan clearance than my current 2 core and better density for thermal transfer than a single core and perhaps an overall better cooling situation. Even if I did that, it still has to be custom made and I can't find anyone in Denver area making custom radiators. --E