gpatmac

The WRX wagon I've got is essentially an STi. EJ257 block (which I'm comtemplating putting into this Loyale, instead. Maybe, maybe not.) Currently WRX heads, but I have some v7 Jap STi heads on my bench. Jap v7 STi w/o DCCD 6mt. FP Green Turbo. Stoptech front BBK. Tein Flex. Whiteline rear swaybar, lateral links, and anti-lift kit. You know, a logical question I should have asked y'all about the loyale...I did everything in building up my WRX, but how much of a greater task will it be to get the Loyale to the point where it's satisfactory? I don't have any need for it to look good at all. I just want it to have some impressive, usable power; handle well (DEFEAT THE UNDERSTEER MONSTER!!!) at high speeds, and brake on a dime. One of the biggest things I'm impressed with is that stock, a Loyale's curbweight is 2400lbs. A little bit of adding weight with the addition of stronger parts, and deleting weight with my sawsall and maybe a torch. I'm hoping to have something extreme without actually being...extreme, if you get what I mean.

Thank you all very much. Don't expect me to be making progress quickly as my first priority is to get my WRX back on the road. Well actually, I need to get the clutch in the Loyale to where it's healthy, first, and then work on the WRX and then I can begin on the Loyale wrt performance. [/ramble] I'll continue to post anything I do, though. I'm with you on the transfer vs transaxle and front and rear differentials vs part-time 4wd. I can see where there'd be inherent weaknesses. I'd like to be able to launch it.

I've just purchased a '90 Loyale for $75 and it looks like it's worth every penny. Anyhow, for the time being, it appears as though there's relatively little wrong beyond some rust and an almost worn-to-the-metal clutch. I have almost all of the parts from my WRX, except for the front and rear differentials. That is to say, I've swapped almost everything out of my WRX wagon and most everything is sitting in my shed and garage. I have an EJ20 complete with either a td04 or a vf30 turbo, the transmission case (the gears are a little bit chewed up and not in the case right now), the TMIC or a larger PWR TMIC, driveshaft, clutch and flywheel, lateral links, endlinks... I figure I should be able to find an inexpensive WRX transmission, or maybe I'll save up for an STi gearset. If I were to utilize the stock Loyale (EA81, right?) transmission, does anyone know of any durability/compatibility issues? Conceptually I understand the difference between a transaxle and a transfer case, but mechanically I don't. Anyone know of any compatibility issues with leaving the front transaxle in place, and is the rear gearbox essentially the same as an Impreza? I should be able to find some struts and springs fairly cheap. I may just go with some Koni's, though. Anything else of value to add or discuss? Thanks, (phew. Knocked that 1st post out, didn't I?)