Phizinza

I've been looking at getting a Impreza sedan, late 90's model, for a while now to replace the Brumby. But now there is enough choice. I'll explain my thoughts on the Subaru first. What I was looking at getting was either the 1.8 GX model or the 2.0 RX model (not sure if the US got the RX, but anyhow its just a 2L version of the 1.8 and 2.2 EJ's.) I would upgrade the ECU and block to a 2.2 or 2.5 EJ block. I would also get rear disc brakes, and maybe WRX front brakes for it. I would lift it 2" or so (Suspension.) Also fitting some 27 to 28 inch OD tires. I would build a AWD VLSD center Dual range EJ gearbox for it, with the 1.59:1 low range and 4.11 diff ratios. Was also looking at getting that new LPG injection that is available here in Australia now which gives anywhere from %10 to %20 more power and the same litres per 100km. What I want it to do: Tow a 1200kg - 1500kg total load (buggy on trailer) to and from offroad parks. Be fairly economical. Be sporty and fun to drive. Be comfortable. Able to soft offroad (things like sand dunes, trails to camping spots, all pretty easy stuff here in Australia.) Then my brother said I should get a Toyota Surf. If I were going to get one of these it would have to be the 3L TD (turbo diesel.) This would be a 93 to 95 model he told me. So for the same money I could get a stock Surf which we think is coil sprung rear solid axle, IFS, blah blah. This would come stock for the amount of money I'm looking at. Pros about this rig is: Much better towing. Much better offroading (which isn't necessary in my mind for what I want.) Can run on bio diesel, with the added LPG for better economy and power (costs a fair bit, but is a future mod.) Can get a rear locker cheaply. Can get lots of other mods (not so cheaply, but are available.) Cons of the Surf are: No where near as good handling. Not sporty to drive, won't drive rally style on the dirt roads. Heavier and more fuel usage. Will end up making me spend more money then I need (because I can.) Is very generic (everyone owns one just about) and I don't like that. I do like the look of both. But the lifted Imp would stand out more and thats my style. Ok. So my question to everyone who is still reading is, what do you think I should get. A stocker Surf or a hotted up Imp?

2 Problems I found with a welded diff were: Lots of wear on the rear axle splines and DOJ cup streching. Stub axles in wheel bearings wearing. But if you don't mind fixing those later on, then its awesome for offroading upgrade. A stock subie with a welded rear diff I reckon could beat just about any stock 4x4 offroad if you didn't give a . about the subie.

Good to see some photos of this. As you would know I didn't do this with my EJ conversion. Is it alright if I use those images on my site mate? Cheers, Phiz

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=72434&highlight=hatch

When I was doing my EJ conversion I did notice the EA82 friction plate looked identical to the EJ22's. It may just have different springs in it. The pressure plate is different though.

Cheers mate, I'll check it out over there

Slightly offtopic, but. People really need to consider that ethanol is much better for the environment. So even if you don't save any money running it, your still saving something. I can't see why all new cars aren't made to run fine on ethanol. It should be a compulsory standard in all countries.. There also should be conversion kits will all the little things you need to make any EFI car run on it. Ok, sorry about that, back on subject.

Sorry to bring this back up... Can you bolt EJ22 heads to a EJ25 block? That was my understanding that you could. And if so, would the EJ22 ECU not like it at all, run rough, run ok but not at high revs, etc? I'm thinking about getting LPG injection, dyno tuned, so I'll be running on that a lot more then petrol. That means if it doesn't run right on petrol it wouldn't matter so much as the LPG will run good and thats what I'll be using most of the time (expect long trips through the Australian outback. So I guess it needs to run reasonably ok.)

Man does that bring back REALLY bad memories...

That's alright John.. sounds like you needed to get that off your chest. I've towed in a few different cars. I've pulled a car trailer with my parents Toyota (3L turbo diesel.) I've towed 6x4 trailers with a few different cars and different loads. And a tandem 5x8. One that I do remember well as the lack of braking power caught me by surprise was when I was towing a 6x4 with 750kg (1,650lb) behind my pretty much stock Brat. I was only going 60kmh (37mph) and I ended up foot to the floor on the brakes and only just stopped in time. With the car trailer the trailer brakes help a lot from my experience. But yes, if you do load the trailer up so there isn't enough weight, or too much weight on the draw bar your in trouble. Only thing I'm really worried about is the weight of the Imp isn't going to be enough for braking for the load I wish to carry. I guess I can test this by towing something similar on a car that is similar in a safe area.

Just saw this thread and looked through a bit.. Awesome job man. Looking really good.

Good point. I thought about that after posting what I did... Would do what lifted Yotas (Hilux, as known here in Aus, we call them Rollux's) do I guess..

Cheers Andy. I'll be using a manual 5sp with a 4.11 ratio diff and a 1.59 to 1 EA82 low range gearset. (D/R EJ gearbox FTW.) So I should be alright if I can take my time starting off. Might look into a better clutch as that will take a beating.

I realize it is totally opinion and thats what I want. I can make up my own mind on the subject. And if I had enough replies maybe I'd have enough situations to figure out who was over rating and who was under rating thus giving a fairly good answer. But it looks like no one twos with these. Strange because I remember seeing more then 1 thread about towing with old gen subarus in the other subforum. Cheers Keltik, I found the maximum towing without brakes rating for the Impreza is 350kg. The trailer I am thinking about towing will have brakes, no doubt about that. The only think stopping the Impreza towing after it has a good brake upgrade and a good engine upgrade should be its weight I would think.

Stick a ER27 in the back facing backwards, flip the axles to reverse drive... Would be fun.

For around $800 you could get the Australian delivered Liberty (Legacy) dual range gearbox parts you need to make a 4.11 with 1.59 low range. You can't use the 4.44 though, as it gets in the way of the gears. You'd just need to source the EA82 low range gearset, EJ center diff and rear casing, and the 4.11 pinion and crown wheel. All you need from Australia is the front gearbox casing minus front diff and pinion. You might even get away with not having the output gearset side if the ratios from australia are the same wit hthe US. Just a thought.... Will have to find out how much shipping would be I guess.

This is sort of a sub thread to my other one about the Impreza. Just wanting to know your stories on towing with you Impreza, weather it be a 1.8, 2.0 or 2.2 litre. Just make sure you say what year it is. And how heavy the load was. Basically I want to know how heavy loads went, and if you thought it was safe or not.

Rust is not so common where I live to most places I've heard about in the US, so that should help. Would Liberty/Legacy rear discs/hubs/knuckles bolt on? They look the same. And I have a 89 Liberty with all the brakes on it right here. I'm going to start a new thread about towing just to see what people think.

Cheers pusher, this is sorta what I'm after. Little personal reviews from people. Thanks

Lol... and the energy used to lift the car comes from what ever he was on when he done that to the poor old subie?

Yes, the Liberty(Legacy) maybe would be a better option. But they are a little more expensive and I don't really like the look of them. I think the RX has rear disc, but yes that is something I need to look into. I had a mate who put WRX brakes on his 97 RX Imp. Was very easy. So you say putting rear disc on a drummed Imp isn't easy? Rattles in an 06? Hmm... :-\ I will be towing, but only to and from offroad meets, which will be maybe at most 5% of the time. And most of that is straight open roads. Brakes and power are defiantly on my mind for upgrading. Anyone know the kerb weight of a Liberty(Legacy) and an Impreza from the late 90's? I've looked at Liberty sedans (I even have 89 Liberty wagon down the paddock as a donor car for my Brumby) and I don't like the look of them. And for some stupid reason that matters a lot to me. I guess I'm just kinda ricey..

Not so much worried about the motor, more of all the little things on the car. Like all the dash instrumentation, door things like windows, blah blah.. I know when you have a good EJ22 its good. Just not sure if buying a 90's Imp is going to fix my issues with my present car. I need good brakes as I'll be towing with it. Its just the little things that I want to know that will be good. I'm just fed up of rattles, squeaks, poor heater controls, and things like that. Oh, and I would like a good sounds system.. Maybe something that only needs some decent speakers swapped in and maybe a new headunit. None of this cutting, chopping, wiring nightmare.. Ok, yeah, I'm getting old. I should really go test drive a bunch of them and that should tell me what they are like.

He got it for free, then done that to it, and now wants $900???

We got three model choices in 96-97. LX which was 1.6L and barebone everything else. GX 1.8L with option Aircon and the like. RX 2.0L with most of the goodies including the WRX side skirt and a better front bumper with fog lights. I would like to get an RX, but a GX will do. I plan on putting a EJ D/R box in it and a bigger engine (thus the other thread.) Then some suspension lift and tyres. Should make a good tourer. I just don't want to go and buy another car that is going to annoy me with little sounds and things not working properly. So, you reckon a late 90's Impreza is going to be the ticket for me? Oh, there was also the forth choice which was the WRX (out of my price range)

Thanks again man. Looks like if I do get a EJ18 Imp I will be putting an import EJ22 block in and then maybe turbo it later on. I'm 99% sure the Imp RX (don't know if the US got those) has the same motor as the EJ18/22 only in 2litre format. Cheers for the help again, and we'll see how it goes with getting an Imp.