Dr. RX

Just use that axles out of your RX.

Well check out Joe's web site (Joe at Carter Subaru), http://www.cars101.com/impreza_archive93_96.html , the first year it shows an Impreza with a 2.2 is 1995.

The 2.2 was first available in 95, but it only came with an automatic tranny.

So Mic, are you going to make reproductions?

Unfortunately, you car is during the timeframe when Subaru used updates for each new year, so to have a complete FSM, you'd need to go back to the beginning. If I remember correctly that started in either 93 or 94 (I know the Impreza started in 93), so you would need all the books from the start to 96. I have a set that goes through 99 but it is not for sale. They started single year FSMs again starting in 2000. I don't know about these downloadable FSMs, and how complete they would be for your model year. If they are Subaru manuals, you'd need to download every book from 93 to 96.

Most sparkplugs nowaday come pregapped from the factory, so as long as that cardboard tube around the electrode is not damaged, the gap should be correct. It never hurts to check though. Note, these plugs may have a different gap then the standard single (non-split) electrode, so check the box and see if there is a gap setting or go on-line to the NGK site and see if they have a chart. Also, it is best to use a wire type guage, they give you a better gap by measuring only the gap distance at a single point, a flat guage may pick up more then one point and give you a wider gap.

I think I saw somewhere that had those decals still available, I'll look and see if I can find where I saw them.

The reason I asked is because I know where there is a pristine late 70's wagon tucked away on a back road in Issaquah, I thought that might have been it. And no, I'm not telling anyone where it is.

Looks like you are only planning to complete, not compete. I'm sure that the price is right, but if it has set a long time, you'd better replace all the seals, repack all the wheel bearing, and replace all the fluids. Does your grandfather live in Issaquah??

Too funny, you let me drive one of your cars. WJM, you're right, we need to get back on track here. I just have this thing about my ability being challenged.

Nope for all 4 of the RXs that I have owned. Liek other have said, I don't think any coupe came with power door locks.

Alright, Hatches it is, in fact we'll use your's. that way the fastest will be the best driver because the car will be the same. I have driven so many different types of cars, it would be a long post to list all of them. Lets put it as just about everything from an 18 wheeler to a BWM Isetta. Driving a hatch is not any more of a challenge that any other car, sorry that it was for you.

Looks like Pat left the east coast just in time, he should be in the Rockies by now, or very close. Hey Moosen, how much snow have you guys gotten so far???

You pay for the shipping of my car to the east coast and back, a day to get familiar with the course and your on. I honestly believe that only thing that kept me from going professional is the fact that I live of the west coast, When I was running SCCA, the national boys didn't like it, I took points away from them, but they were glad I only ran the west coast events. In those days you had to run the east coast or southern Cal to get noticed, I ran neither. Or, you could come out here and we could go to my old stomping grounds, Pacific International Raceway.

Gee let me see, do I have any high speed driving expertence? I probably have more years of racing experience then you have driving experience. Two years SCCA F Production, racing an Alfa Romeo Guiletta Spyder Veloce, two seasons Barstow to Bakersville desert racing in So Cal, 1st year 2WD class, 2nd year 4WD class. One season of rally in the Pacific Northwest, back when we held an event for the WRC, that was in another rally prepped Alfa. My fastest speed on dirt was 120 mph on a stretch between Barstow and Bakersville. Yes, I know what it takes to drive fast, not only on pavement, but on the dirt too. So anytime you what to take me on, go for it, but I hope you like crow.

I have owned 4 of them, one was converted to UltimateRX, one is now owned by Richie, the other two when to none board members (but I told them about the board when they picked up the cars). All were white, 2 87s, an 88 and an 89.

Having owned an 80 hatch, 1600cc, an 83 hatch, 1800cc, an 83 wagon, 1800cc, an 85 turbo wagon, an 86 GL turbo coupe (pre RX model), an 86 GL-10 turbo sedan, 4 RX coupes, I'm here to tell you that the EA81s don't hold a candle to the EA82s when it comes to handling. And now that I own a 96 Impreza that has been modified to WRX level, neither of them come even close to it.

So where is "up here"??? I'm sure if Ed had seen any XTs he would have posted that.

Ryan, unless you are planning to go over a turbo with a fine tooth comb, I'd suggest that you run a carburated engine. A turbo engine (EA81 or EA82) is complicated and too many things can and usually do go wrong with it. This is really tough, because like Zap said, the EA81 series are not known for their great handling, the EA82s are better, but are prone to overheating. An EA82 sedan would probably be best, and probably the cheapest to pick up. The first thing I would do would be to flush the cooling system and replace the single row radiator with a twin row. That car should get you through the rally, not a contender, but will get you through. Now, if you want a fast car too, you only have one option, and that is a turbo. Now the fun begins, that first thing I'd do would be to flush the engine and twin row radiator like the carb'd car, but then I'd replace every hose, with silicon hose if possible. I'd hank the A/C, that has been a problem for me with overheating the engine on a hot day. If you go with a turbo car, the best choice would be one of the RXs, coupe or sedan, but these would be hard to find at your budget of $1000. You might be able to find GL-10 turbo sedan in that price range, but you'll have to replace the air suspension. Like I've said, if you need any wrenching help, let me know. If my garage were completed, I'd offer it, but it probably won't be done until April.

Boy, how did I miss this one. If you need another wrench, with some racing experience, I'll be there. So why hasn't ricochet replied to any of this, I'd like to here his feedback on our suggestions. I'd also like to know what he has in mind as "rally preped'.

Let me see, Barbados, that's a third world country isn't it?? I guess that they also made EJ18 carb'd engine for third world countries. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against third world countries, it just proves my point that only those countries got carb'd engines.

According to several dealer brouchers that I have seen they did, I believe that they were available up till 94 or 95, I believe from 96 on, all Subarus were 4WDs. I am looking for one for a special projecty that I have in mind.

The EJ15 and EJ16 came that way, mainly because they were sold to third world countries. You probably won't find them in any Japanese motor importer's shop. As far as I know, these were not available in Japan, with the possible exception of the north island, which is pretty rural when compared to the rest of Japan. I wonder if the MS+ setup can be used with the Subaru triggering system. Subaru uses two sensors, and crank angle sensor and a cam angle sensor to calculate the firing of the sparkplugs. I think that they are the only ones who use that system, so the MS+ may not cover that. I would definately get on the phone or e-mail them to find out before I took the leap. A lot of the engines at these Japanese motor shops do not come with an ECU, and aftermarket ECU that will work start at around $1000.00 (one thousand). WJM is right on with his comments about the tranny, comparing the two is like night and day, the EJ series is far superior.

See my reply to your other post.