UniqueTII Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Hey gang, I'm looking at getting a '96 Legacy Outback and I was wondering what some websites were where I could get an idea of what's out there for parts. Wow, that's a nasty sentence! Anyway, I'd be looking for performance suspension and brake parts first, and eventually things for more power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Originally posted by UniqueTII Hey gang, I'm looking at getting a '96 Legacy Outback and I was wondering what some websites were where I could get an idea of what's out there for parts. Wow, that's a nasty sentence! Anyway, I'd be looking for performance suspension and brake parts first, and eventually things for more power. I don't think you're going to see much improvement from the usual intake/exhaust mods. If it were that easy, the cars would ship that way. These cars are already pretty well optimised. I think you'll need to change cams to see any significant gains. BTW, the EJ25's (both phase I and II) weren't built with forced induction in mind. You'd be better of sourcing an engine from a wrecked WRX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benebob Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 If you didn't get the outback yet. Find a similar age Legacy GT. It should handle much better/firmer. My guess is you should be able to get one cheaper as it lacks the yuppie factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remarcable Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 The outback is handicapped in the handling and performance department by the extra weight, tire/rim choice, and tall suspension. If you want to lower it you will need to go to a different size rim/tire to avoid hitting the struts. You should actually try and find a Legacy GT Wagon of similar model year. It will handle better and be more receptive to upgrades if you can find them. It seems like the aftermarket for our 2nd gen legacies has really died down a bit. If you want to go up a stage in performance but down a stage in comfort, try the impreza platform which includes the forester. There aren't huge performance gaps between the legacy/impreza of that model year but if I were to pick a 1996 model year to turn into a rally car I'd go with an impreza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alias20035 Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 The 96 EJ25 engine only had 155 HP, the 97-99 models had 165 HP and got better fuel economy. The 97 added solid valve lifters, and has completely different internals for less friction. On the upside the 96 is less prone to piston slap. Head gaskets still blow on the 96 EJ25, just like the 97-99 Phase 1 EJ25's. I am not sure what we would call the 96 EJ25, a Phase 0.1? Avoid the 96 5MT Outback, it has the smaller but very reliable EJ22 engine, but it really struggles with the heavier and less aerodynamic Outback. The EJ22 can get worse fuel economy than the EJ25 in some cases in the 96 Outback because it is often forced to work at its limit. The 5MT was only available on the EJ25 starting in 97. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrxsubaru Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Get a outback with a 5spd then swap in the ej22t, 160 horse and 180 pounds of tork but with more boost a ehust and intake innercooler it would be putting out over 220 horse and still have alot of down low tork, that the ej20 does not have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UniqueTII Posted December 18, 2003 Author Share Posted December 18, 2003 I was looking at Legacy GT's too, but they seem to be hard to find and are usually pretty pricey. Adding forced induction is a distant dream, so I'm not too worried about that right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted December 20, 2003 Share Posted December 20, 2003 Originally posted by alias20035 The 96 EJ25 engine only had 155 HP, the 97-99 models had 165 HP and got better fuel economy. The 97 added solid valve lifters, and has completely different internals for less friction. On the upside the 96 is less prone to piston slap. Head gaskets still blow on the 96 EJ25, just like the 97-99 Phase 1 EJ25's. I am not sure what we would call the 96 EJ25, a Phase 0.1? Avoid the 96 5MT Outback, it has the smaller but very reliable EJ22 engine, but it really struggles with the heavier and less aerodynamic Outback. The EJ22 can get worse fuel economy than the EJ25 in some cases in the 96 Outback because it is often forced to work at its limit. The 5MT was only available on the EJ25 starting in 97. Just to clarify: Phase-I EJ25: Twin cams acting directly on HLA's (hydraulic lash adjusters). Phase-II EJ25: Single cams with "roller rockers" (rocker arms with a roller bearing on the cam end, the other end acts directly on the valve stem). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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