1987 GL-10 Turbo AWD Wagon

[EMathy]

Hey there!

 

I've got a line on a 1987 GL-10 Turbo AWD Wagon. There aren't alot of reviews floating around for these, so I figured I'd come to the source (read: here) and ask.

 

Opinions, good and bad, on this car?

 

Thanks a bunch!

- Erik

[86subaru]

a/t or manual.,? if it's a/t then mpg will be 23-24 city 25-26 hi , main thing to do is keep the turbo motor cool , good 2 row radiator + tranny cooler ,

[EMathy]

It's got the manual transmission and all the standard equipment.

 

So a new(er) larger radiator and a transmission oil cooler. The tranny oil cooler is easy enough. I assume if I look around here there will be a post about putting a WRX radiator into an 80's GL. I've already seen a few posts on transplanting a 90's engine into a 80's chassis.

 

Thanks!

- Erik

[Syonyk]

They're absolute junk. Total worthless piles of metal. You should tell me where to get it instead. :-)

 

I'd love a clean GL-10 Turbowagon. They're about as good as you can get in the old gen Subaru line.

 

This forum will be your friend. They're simple to work on, reliable if taken care of, light, and a blast to drive.

 

-=Russ=-

[86subaru]

what i ment was a tranny cooler , light duty, i always change the oil very 3,000mi also , drain and fill the tranny will also help,i got my new radiator from the radiator barn 2 row, , advance auto had the tranny cooler on line

[EMathy]

They're absolute junk. Total worthless piles of metal. You should tell me where to get it instead. :-)

 

I'd love a clean GL-10 Turbowagon. They're about as good as you can get in the old gen Subaru line.

 

This forum will be your friend. They're simple to work on, reliable if taken care of, light, and a blast to drive.

 

-=Russ=-

 

Hahahaha! No way, man! I'll hopefully be able to see it in person today and get the VIN for a Carfax check. If it all looks good, it'll be mine by the weekend!

 

I need a kidmobile, but want something that's not like everyone else has. The GL-10 seems to be a good starting point. I've found some 15x6 rims for a good price if I want to go the offroad route. Then maybe some offroad style bumpers, a rear swing gate, some rally lights, a roof mounted cargo flat (where my built XR50 will go during trips), etc...

 

Thanks!

- Erik

[NorthWet]

Tranny cooler is for automatic, not manual. Too much bother to go with a WRX radiator, just get a new 2-row-core COPPER radiator and you will be fine.

[TheSubaruJunkie]

I wouldn't suggest off-roading a turbo car. For one, that car might only have Single Range 4WD. If its the AWD model that is. Then ontop of that, the turbo motor doesnt make good power unless its under boost... and for off-roading you want all your power at low rev's.

 

But that is a good car. The GL-10 is the top of the line for that year. Key things to check will be the CV joints... that and the motor. Make sure it doesnt overheat, and ask if it has ever overheated in the past. Overheating a EA82T will make it a paperwieght real quick. And once you do own it, do everything you can to keep it from overheating.

 

-Brian

[GeneralDisorder]

It all boils down to this:

 

1. Weak head gaskets/weak heads - be it from age, mileage, crappy head design, what have you... this is the root of everyone telling you to NOT overheat it. Biggest problem with the EA82T by far, and the reason that holds nearly everyone back from getting more HP from it (can't take much over stock boost).

 

2. Weak stock cooling system. (see #1). Stock radiators are 20 years old, so that doesn't help. Heat agrivates #1 a LOT.

 

3. Weak timing belts.... this is probably somewhat debatable as many 80's cars had similar problems. The real problem isn't the belts, but how they are routed, and the lack of hydrualic tensioners. If the belts are tensioned properly, and kept that way as they stretch (you have to manually adjust the belt tension every 10,000 - 15,000 miles, which is a huge PITA if you leave the covers on) they can actually last longer than the recommended 60,000 mile interval. Again - debatable being that many other 80's cars had this same problem of going through timing belts rather quickly, but today it's common for t-belts to have intervals of 100k or ever 120k. Should note that engine is non-interferance, so should they break it's just annoying and expensive, but not fatal.

 

Really if those three items don't bother you, and the very, very real aspect of a head gasket at some time in the future is no problem to you, then they are really great little cars.

 

I love em to death, but I wanted to give you the bad side so you are prepared. Don't let me scare you too much, but also don't beleive that you have found the holy grail of 20 year old cars that will never die and can be passed down to your grandchildren having never seen the business end of a socket.

 

Oh - and yes - very bad choice for off-road. Probably no low range, and turbo's are for the street. No low end torque + no low range =

 

GD

[Jack in Norfolk]

does it have the Diff-Lock?

Very rare, very cool item.

Also, is it, by any chance a Touring wagon? The touring wagon has the bump in the roof and has more overhead space than the standard wagon. Both very rare features.

Regardless, it sounds like you have found a nice car.

I had an 86 gl 4wd wagon. It was not a turbo. It had the dual range. In hindsite, if I had not been so hard on it off road, it would have lasted longer and stayed in better shape. Its your car, do what you want, but consider being gentle and just enjoying the heck out of snow days, gravel and dirt roads, and maybe some moderate beach driving.

[Turbone]

I've owned a 86 GL-10 T-Wagon for around 5yrs now. It has about 147K on it and I just now had to do the HG's. I've hauled a trailer full of scrap metal and household stuff with no complaints from it. The GL-10 is the top of the line for all models in the 80's. The only thing that was a option for the GL-10 Turbo was the LSD rear. Get the car and enjoy.

[calebz]

I've got an 87 turbowagon with a couple of mods. It is fun, but it seems the main purpose of it is to give me a chance to find new and creative ways to blow it up.

[rallyruss]

whats up up there in oak town?

my wagon is a little work horse. I am selling it but only because I need a commuter with better fuel mileage

avoid the auto transmissions.

I have done some rather dificult off road action with no low range in my turbo wagon but it does require a bit more skill than your average jeep TJ. no low end torque is the biggest problem. they do love to go fast on some fairly clear fire roads.

If you go to the snow you will love it. turbo spoolin sideways action.

GD hit the down sides rather well.

I have never blown a head gaset but I try to keep the engine cool. bigger rad. oil cooler, intercooler ect.

i also rally cross an RX (same motor). it does just fine as long as I dont let it get too hot.

[GL-10 Turbo]

So, do you have the in with that couple who's giving theirs away?

 

The one in San Rafael who hasn't returned my emails?

 

I think I know where your line is in these waters...and would love to help out any way I can. I'm in the process of evaluating and going through an '86 version of the one you're looking at.

 

As a Parts specialist at a local Subaru dealership, I can tell you it's not always the easiest getting parts, but I'm surprised by how cheap they are.

[rallyruss]

no Im not pickin up any more cars for a while.

 

the subaru parts are getting harder to find for the older cars huh?