thatswhatshesaid

I'm in! thats_what_shesaid @ hotmail . com SWEET!

Sounds awesome! I might be taking part of this! Can't wait!

I just sold an '82 GL with 260k miles. Shifter is getting a bit sloppy, but everything else = A-OK!

We need to clarify... In the future, please specify whether your arguments are regarding side-to-side forces, front-to-back, or top-to-bottom. That will make the argumentative/ranting process much easier.

Weight transfer from left-to-right (or vice versa) will ALWAYS be the same. The gravity and lateral force will be present no matter what suspension set-up you have. The weight of the car and common laws of physics are NOT CHANGING. The point you brought up regarding SUVs is a completely different - the reason SUVs roll over is because they are waaaaay taller and higher off the ground. They also have more weight up high (high center of gravity). Now we're talking about up-and-down center of gravity. Not side-to-side weight transfer. Newton's laws act on SUVs and Subarus exactly the same. No exceptions. The SUVs roll over because (A) the suspension on one side compresses much more than it would on a Subaru and ( because the monstrous amount of lateral (centrifugal) force applied to a vehicle with a much higher center of gravity. The side-to-side weight transfer is no different on a 4,000-lb. Jeep than a 4000-lb. Outback (assuming the front-back weight distribution is the same for the sake of argument). It's the top-to-bottom C.O.G. that meks the Jeep flip. The laws of physics that we've known for centuries are always present. They cannot be ignored with swaybars and struts. In short, Sir Isaac Newton isn't a liar. STILL.

I think the real problem here lies in the fact that the Scandinavian Flick should not be performed on dry pavement in a car with an auto tranny and ABS...especially on public roadways. Leave those maneuvers to the pros in rally cars.

Oooh, yes. That wouls be one short (and capable) EA. I wonder how much you could hack away at the front of the car... ...Upon inspection of the Loyale (jeez - it's like 5* F outside), it seems as though you might be able to whack as much as 10" (or so - give or take a few inches) away from the front of the car if no radiator is present. The safety features up front will need to be replaced, though. Perhaps a big, meaty bumper would do the trick. What are you thinking, Scott? I want to see the photoshop results now! Yahoo!

Bob the truck? You're crazy...and I love it. Do you have the photoshop results?

I know the difference between "afterfire" and "backfire". It's definitely coming from the intake. And the previous owner assured me that the timing belt was replaced, but who knows with some of these crazy folks... Thanks for the help, guys. any other input on the matter?

So...my EJ25 is running like poo poo. - 2000 Outback (EJ25) with auto tranny - 135k miles - I've owned the car for the last 8k miles - maintenence before that is not well documented, so...? It all began about 1k miles ago (at the beginning of a 900-mile road trip), with a slight hesitation on hills, and a backfire every now and then. I had to finish out the trip. so now I'm back, I've driven it two more days and the symptoms are much worse. Backfiring happens in every gear below 3k RPMs. Above that, it smooths out, but still lacks the power it used to have. I have looked for vacuum leaks, but to no avail (I haven't done the propane test). Apparently there is no EGR valve, so that's out. When it starts to run roughly, the CEL flashes. It idles normally, but any more load than that and it runs badly. So here's what I'm thinking (let me know if I'm wrong): - PCV? I'll grab one tomorrow - it's 5 bucks and it probably needs it anyway. - Bad plugs/wires? If the plugs have carbon build-up, are the wires toast too? And how the flip can I get to the plug on cyl. #4? Any other ideas? Thanks, - Tyler

Yeah - that's a pretty lame rip, but I like the fact that it's about a Subaru. I like the original - and it's from '02. WHATEVA!

Wow, cool...a Rav4 with a boxer. Bleh.

But it's so dang good-looking! Especially since it's SO rare in that body style...

The '04 is beautiful. It's got awesome amenities. However... The '05 is MORE stylish inside, is faster, safer, handles better (the body style change brought suspension changes that make it handle wonderfully). If anything, the '04 will handle like an SUV when compared to the '05. I'd say go for the '05 (but dang, I like that monotone black so darn much, and the two-tone gray/silver is so plain...)

Is the boxer reliable? Hmm... Does a bear poop in the forest?! Is the Pope Catholic?!

I think everyone that buys one should get a "Donor" badge under their name...they ARE donating (in a roundabout way).

Agreed. The internals are nearly identical. They are great engines.

I know. But it seems like the likelihood is significantly higher than I previously anticipated. I was under the impression that premature failure of any kind was almost completely nil past 2000 ('99 in Foresters). But whatever. I can slime that bad boy and run it til it breaks of something else.

2000 OBW (SOHC PHASE II) - 133k and counting...(now I'm more scared than ever about it)

Many on this board will vouch for the reliability of the Phase II EJ25 engine (the one you have). The head gasket problem was not nearly as prevalent in the later years of this engine. Perhaps you did just get a "lemon".

Looking good, boys! I like the website and that meaty rack! Check your "suggestion box"!

I'm tentatively in for one, as long as I like the pictures of the final product.

We're all eagerly awaiting the thread regarding the current build...woo hoo!

Awesome! AWD snow drifting is so much fun...and those guages are beautiful! I wonder if I could do a swap into my 2000...

Doesn't seem likely...but perhaps a special tune for the sniff test and some of that "magic solution" in the gas might do the trick, who knows?