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I have a 1989 subaru GL hatchback with a carb and I want to rally race the car and I was wondering if a WRX engine will fit in the car because I hate the carb and want fuel injecton and a turbo, bigger more powerful engine since I took it to a shop to get the cylinders bored out and the heads port and polished and the shop laughed at me saying "its a wast of time and money to bore out and port and polish the engine for rally racing just go out and buy a WRX" then I told them I couldn't afford a WRX cuz im a college student and can't afford it.

 

Also if anyone rally races what would be the way to modify the car for rally racing.

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Be careful, there are people out there that are selling engines that they call WRX engines but are actually from a Legacy RS from Japan. Although they look similar, they are not the same, although some parts interchange.

 

Next, do you mean Hatchback or 3dr, the Hatchback looks like a short 2dr station wagon, the 3dr has a fast back sloping rear door with a large glass area.

 

The conversion can be done to either type of car, but it is not cheap, and I wouldn't think that it could be done on a students budget. A real WRX engine can start at about $5,000.00 and go up from there, add a few thousand more for the tranny, and a couple of hundred for the rear differential and you have bought the basic parts for the conversion. If you don't get a complete from wiring harness and ECU, then you will have to go aftermarket, those cost over $1,000.00. So, now before you have even put anything into the car, you'll have spent almost $8,000.00. I would think, having done something similar that you'd spend at least another $2,000.00, in in all you are looking at $10,000 and for that price you could pick up a 98 Impreza RS.

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Power isn't every thing in rallying, in the canadian rally championship the under 2L classes are dominated by the subaru justy, 3 cylinders, some carbed, and no boost, but it comes down to their handling and nimbleness

 

That being said if you were to enter in a rally you'd have a great time with your car as it is, but with a wrx engine you'd most likely be in open class against all those evos and sti... don't think you'd want that:D

 

Not sure if it's possible to swap the WRX engine in, i haven't looked at a GL engine bay in a while, but i've seen it done to Loyale's so it may be possible. You'll need much more than the engine... tranny/ ecu/ wiring harnesses.. and your probably gonna need some custom driveshafts.... = $$$

 

If i were you i'd probably rally the GL for as long as i could or move up to the 1st gen Legacy if possible; which is a great base to start on and would be a very easy swap car in the future

 

I'm a student as well and am running my legacy turbo whenever i can in local events.... best of luck:D

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I am not sure how the classes work where you live but here if you did that conversion for pro, club, or evin rally X it would throw you into open 4WD$$$$$.

 

if you just want to rally X it just keep it stock and have a good time. just a little $

 

if you really want to rally buy a prebuilt car that has a cage, seats, and all the other necessary gear.

 

basically find out what your local requirements are and go from there.

 

I am making the move from Rally X to club rally right now and it wont be cheap.

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