daeron Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 okay, vehicle is a front wheel drive, auto with AC. it has a stock AM/FM 20watt stereo in it, and a trip computer. I want to put a real stereo in it, one that i already have, and i want to spend no money on doing so (i already have the needed wiring terminals, etc.) Im actually anticipating running my own rear speaker wire, and also the front, so i am leaving the stock stereo harness intact and bypassing it (except maybe for power, i havent decided that yet) My question is, im planning on putting the new stereo in the space below the entire stereo/storage hole/trip computer area.. the plastic piece has already been cut in half and it should be simple enough to secure, but has anyone else ever installed a real stereo in the normal spot, without having to relocate the trip computer controls? Also, the computer display is no longer backlit.. could i disassemble that unit and replace a bulb? Another thing, with this auto gearbox.. the power is just nonexistent. How much HP did this motor have stock? its an ea82 with the spfi on it, non turbo. Would gutting the catalytic converter and installing a k&n air filter produce much of an effect in giving me a little more power? im not looking to smoke anything here, but maximum acceleration is just a little low for my comfort, and id like to have another 5-10% more power is all. I love the car, and it runs great, but rust is getting it bad so im not contemplating sinking much into it. I also have a datsun 280Z thats been my baby for six years now, but i havent driven it in almost two because i had a small electrical crisis, and that persuaded me to park it until such time as i could fix the myriad other upgrades/repairs it needed. I got the soob from my brother for free, all it needed was a timing belt. another issue is the AC switch. The switch mechanism is functional, but the ears that hold the screws that attach it have broken off and i have to punch the buttons to get em to push. I have gotten the switch itself out of a car in the junkyard, and am assuming i just attach the vacuum hoses into the back as they are on my car (donor car 92 loyale.) Is there any way for me to pry out the push-buttons that are the face, with the words on them? all of mine are broken from being punched at for so long (myself and a previous owner guilty) I tried to remove it, but it seemed like it might be integral with the entire guage pod hood. I just need the pushbuttons, not the temp selector... One final question.. there is a small pulser coil, or something, that hangs on a bracket over the front face of the AC compressor pulley. I buggered mine up a bit, and had never had it lined up right because i lost the proper bolts for it and pegged it in place with some temps.. and then the wire got bit by the belt. I just replaced it, and my AC is blowing MUCH colder now!! it barely functioned before, and in the muggy heat of the day in south florida, it was virtually useless.. when it would blow cold, it was cool enough outside that i didnt wanna waste the gas... but now it seems great.. so wtf is that thing?! ive never seen anything like it on an AC compressor before..... Also, the AC gives the car a tendency to run a little hot sometimes.. and once in a while, if its on in a parking lot say, the car will stall. usually it involves steering, braking, and not hitting the gas all at once with the AC on, and the motor just says, unh-uh.. obviously, dont use the AC in this situation, but does this bode well or ill for anything? anyone experience this problem, is it common, if so, is there a fix? Thanks for reading the long post, but i finally found a good soobie board due to a crisis with my crankshaft pulley that i just finished dealing with, and these are questions i wanted to pose to the sagacious subaru simians here on the board... you guys (and ladies) seem like a great bunch of folks... like the distillation of what used to be the Good datsun guys, and the volkswagen guys, but more than just that. i can see how a community like this has arisen out of these beatifully built, ugly little cars..... and im sorry, but this GL-10 just screams japanese bleh sedan :- ) it looks like a trapezoid on wheels, almost like a japanese volvo. I love it to death though.. the thing, from what i can tell, only weighs about 2400+ pounds, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 RE: Power - I have an 89 SPFI with 3AT. It is reasonably peppy. I would first look at tuneup items/issues before taking hammers and saws to the car. Plugs, wires, cap, rotor... and timing! I have seen lotws of FI EA82s that have their timing misset. A/C pulser coil on front of compressor is to detect when the compressor is not turning (like it is seized) and disable the clutch circuit. If the pulser does not put out a regular signal, the clutch will not stay engaged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 My question is, im planning on putting the new stereo in the space below the entire stereo/storage hole/trip computer area.. the plastic piece has already been cut in half and it should be simple enough to secure, but has anyone else ever installed a real stereo in the normal spot, without having to relocate the trip computer controls?? Its done all the time, but there is a 14.95 kit to do it if i understand you correctly. Also, the computer display is no longer backlit.. could i disassemble that unit and replace a bulb? i think the bulbs are tiny and soldered in. i dont recall anyone ever doing this, but it goes under the heading "you cant make it worse" Another thing, with this auto gearbox.. the power is just nonexistent. How much HP did this motor have stock? its an ea82 with the spfi on it, non turbo. Would gutting the catalytic converter and installing a k&n air filter produce much of an effect in giving me a little more power?? Nothing short of pushing the car off a cliff is going to give you any better acceleration. Its not so much the engines fault, as it is the transmissions gearing. For specs on the car go to www.car101.com nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azsubaru Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Is there any way for me to pry out the push-buttons Yes - The covers just clip on the sides of the switches. You can pry them off with a small flatblade screwdriver, alternating sides on each button. If you do this without removing the switch from the dash, do it carefully. Then you can replace just the little pieces of plastic with the words on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonicfrog Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 The clock face is held in place by two metal clips, one on each side. You can either pry it out from the front, or better, drop the glove box, reach under, and push it out from behind. That will also give you access to the molex plug, which will have to be disconnected. Once you have the clock out, there are four screws on the back that retain the back cover. Once removed, you will see on each end a little round, flat tab a little bigger that a pencil erasure. These are the bulbs, and they twist out, counterclockwise I think. If you are feeling adventureous, take out the next set of screws holding the clock together and you can change the color of the gel on the reflector in the clock. I changed mine from green (1987 and up) to orange (1984 - 87) to match my orange w/ red needled modified dash (ooops, forgot to post pictures of that last month - been busy). Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 If they are small bulbs like the rest of the subaru line (im not sure in all honesty) try radioshack for replacements. Subaru tends to ask insane prices for the tiny bulbs, even if you can get them. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonicfrog Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 If they are small bulbs like the rest of the subaru line (im not sure in all honesty) try radioshack for replacements. Subaru tends to ask insane prices for the tiny bulbs, even if you can get them. nipper These are definitely junk yard items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted June 14, 2006 Author Share Posted June 14, 2006 thanks to all for the feedback, thats a great response.. sonicfrog, ive already had the unit in hand but the wire harness seemed too long to reach to unplug, i looked at those screws and wondered if it was plausible or not.. but i declined dissassembly until i could ask those who know better. :- ) obviously before i tear anything up, i will install new ignition bits all the way (already done plugs and wires, but no cap and rotor) and shoot the timing with a light.. also will do compression test. I had also figured i would be satisfied simply by having a five-speed instead of an auto.. my basic problem is i want to drop it down to third every once in a while, and then i realize that im in an auto and third is high gear..... :- ( SO.. i was just wondering if gutting the cat or installing a free-er flowing air filter, on this car, REALLY made much of a difference or not... again, consulting the wisdom of those who have modded before me. I already laid in a small supply of aforementioned bulbs (i thought they might come in handy) last time i was in a junkyard car... two other things i thought of.. one regards the door open switch.. the one that cuts the dome light on and off... i tried to remove the dead driver door switch and swap it out with another when i first got the car (1.5 years ago) and.. the wires on it werent long enough to even pull the switch an inch from the jamb..... does this sound typical to everone else?? i drive pizzas for a living and wish that light came on with the door about ten or twelve times a night.... the last thing is a starter interchangeability question.. 87 gl-10 auto 2wd.. 92 loyale 5 spd 2wd.. both ea82, ones and auto ones a stick. can i swap them? i took my starter apart when it died, (i had JUST gotten this job after 2 months unemployment, and was penniless to fix my car) cleaned the entire armature/coil/brush apparatus, and reassembled it, and it worked like new. its worked great ever since. i drive pizzas for a living, and id like a cheap junkyard unit in the trunk in case my soviet rebuild ever fails me.... anyhow folks, i must go to bed. thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonicfrog Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Yeah, the harness is in an awkward place. Push in the sides of the glove box and the tabs come out of the slots, allowing the box to swing down toward the floor. Then you reach behind and up into the heart of the dash to ge to the harness. But it is kinda a long reach, and reminds me of those movies where a farmer has to stick his arms into a cows nether region to pull out the baby calf. Never though I'd write anything like that on the Subi list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Yeah, the harness is in an awkward place. Push in the sides of the glove box and the tabs come out of the slots, allowing the box to swing down toward the floor. Then you reach behind and up into the heart of the dash to ge to the harness. But it is kinda a long reach, and reminds me of those movies where a farmer has to stick his arms into a cows nether region to pull out the baby calf. Never though I'd write anything like that on the Subi list. at least you didnt say "it reminds me of when i had to stick my arm ...... hehehe nipper moo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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