ViceMan

What!?!?!?!?!?!?!? you mean to say its wasn't the most awesome, best looking, fastest sports car on the planet in 1988 like the used car salesman told me? My world is shattered, ruined................ LOL Yeah they are bad, I can take my entire back end and make it bounce no problem. and each front corner, although for some crazy reason the front driver side shocks and springs are stiffer than any of the others, which in certain situations makes the car steering wheel turn, although since I know the car its not to much trouble. I do have to say that even though I have only given minimal maintenance still still runs, without any real problems. Even now considering what i need to with it, it was still a good buy. You know even with its reliability decreased it still outlast anything else. Oh one story I heard from my brother. 3 big trucks with chains on of various makes and one chainless Subaru Baja in the mountains in the winter. The Subaru pulls all three trucks out of trouble at one time or another during there journey. I thought that was funny. ViceMan

I am looking to get and install new shocks and breaks. The question that i have is what ones should I get? in case anyone forgot, I have a 1988 Subaru GL, SPFI, AT. thanks again. ViceMan

Ok, I figure I am going crazy but I am going to go with it. So I have decided to do it myself, not without a certain amount of what the hell am I thinking. I am going to call around to see what kind of prices/warrantees are out there. Also while I am doing this new brakes, shocks, oil pressure sensor, and possibly a new radiator thermostat and radiator. btw, What kind of shocks do you guys recommend? I will be doing all four corners, same with brakes. Now I would prefer to have someone who has done some things on his/her Subaru to help out. I will offer food and some money. Pm if you have the time or whatever. thanks to all the people that have helped me out with advice and knowledge in the last week or so. ViceMan

Ok, so here is where I am at. I posted on the forums not to long ago that my transmission had failed, and it was suggested that it would be the governor gear. I checked it out and it was not, it was good. So now it has come down to a decision, either get a new(used/reconditioned) transmission from 750 to 1000 dollars depending on the millage on the transmission, or take the money and some extra and get a another car preferably another Subaru. I wouldn't mind putting in a new transmission but my engine, an EA82 SPFI, is having issues like high engine temp even on cold days even when driving a relatively short distance, voltage fluctuations. also it needs shocks and breaks. I wouldn't mind doing the work myself but I have not done something like that, and no idea where to start. If someone or several someones are willing to help out and provide some jacks or a lift, i would be more than willing to help and learn. anyway so there are the facts. Also if anyone has has seen a descent Subaru for sale in the Portland metro area please tell me. Thanks for your help and time.

Thanks You guy for your help. I Located and pulled the governor and it was perfectly fine, no apple coring and no plunger sticking, so its my transmission. Which isn't bad i suppose considering that its only 400 to 500 to replace at mountain tech motors in Oregon City Oregon. Thanks for your help though, it was greatly appreciated. ViceMan

I have a 1988 subaru GL 4-door sedan with the EA82 engine SPFI with an automatic transmission. MY subaru is having trouble getting into gear, it was fine until sunday when it had lots of trouble changing gears. the next day it had trouble even moving forward, so following the user manual i put in some new ATF fluid that helped a bit but its still not doing well, i have to rev the engine to get it to go, then other times I did not have to. Also I just added fluid but did not drain the old. if anyone could tell me how to fix this or what the problem is I would be gratefull. Man I did not know how much I have loved this little car until I couldn't drive it:(. it has really grown on me, and even though i haven't been able to give it all that it needs, it still runs and it keeps going. So please help me out. thanks a ton. Viceman

Well Its only been about a week or so since I got my Subaru and I seem to have been bitten by the I Love Subaru's bug. I have done some research and according to what this website (http://www.economysuperstar.com/milesfox/subaru/subaru.htm), which has what your VIN number means, and what it says is my car is aparently a XT/Loyale with an engine type of 1800, an EA82 engine and is SPFI. As for what I already know my car is a 1988 GL 4 door sedan. Ok, apparently I am going to need new shocks/struts here soon. And most of what I am going to do is driving on pavement but having the ability to go off-road of a bit or being able to drive on unimproved roads (read logging roads, as I like to go shooting) is a consideration. So what would some of you recomend for this? Also I am considering a new exshaust system. Someone recomended a Cat Back exshaust system and another recomended a Cherry Bomb. Can you combine both? and what about improved Fuel Injectors? Can you get better ones that fit, but are better at atomizing the fuel thereby getting a better more complete burn? Another Question, Has anyone tried the Tornado Air Thing for their engines? (website is here http://www.tornadoair.com/) and if so what was their experience. Thanks in Advance for everyone who takes time to read and/or replies to this thread. Sincerely, ViceMan

Wow, so many responses in so little time. So to answer a few Questions. 1. Although I am mechanically inclined, I am not the type of person that can just drop in a turbo motor. And Subaru_styles I do know its more work than that, but thanks for the tip, although for some people it might be that easy. 2. It is Fuel injected. I know this for a few reasons. no huge round air filter on top of the engine. I can spot fuel Injectors. And the most un-subtle one, The person who put in my new water pump told me so. Question: What is a pod Filter? Now I know some aobut cars but most of it is for domestic U.S. cars. I can tell you if an engine is good or bad, what could be the problem by listening to it, Spot obvious problems and other things like that. When it somes to foreign cars I am not lost so much as not sure how things should be. Some of it is common sense, but some things you just need to ask questions. So Here I am. Seriously though, the First Time I heard of an engine that had a configuration known as Horizontally opposed was when I got this car. BTW Can I get a Cold air induction unit put in? and What sort of exshaust system would any of you recomend for releiving some of the back pressure and there for increasing horse power? One more thing before I go. I am thinking I need to replace the front shocks/struts. What would you guys recomend for any of the above? Oh BTW, the car still had the Manuel in the glove box, something that really surprised me. Till Later, ViceMan

Hello All, I just got a 1988 Subaru GL no turbo. And even though I have been only driving it just a few days i like it alot. It looks good, nice straight body, nothing bad. Had to replace the water pump becuase it was leaking, but other than that it almost looks a few years old, not 18 years old with 164,000miles on it. I have a few Questions. First, Is there any way to boost horsepower a bit? I am not looking for like huge gains, but just something that will increase available horsepower. Also Anything I should be aware of, for general Maintence or general care that will make sure that this car keeps going well beyond 250,000 miles +? Any tips on this or anything else that maintains the car will be apreciated and welcome. Also since this is my first car I have bought on my own I would like to be able to keep it in good repair if not better. Thanks in advance for everyone who responds to this Thread. Till Later, ViceMan