rottenhead

It's a 1985. I've got a post about it running over in the Old Gen forum. Also, lots of pics here.

Hi all, I'm a newly minted BRAT owner in Eagle, CO, looking to start networking for parts, advice, etc. I know right off the bat I'll be looking for a dash in better condition than my currently cracked one, and possibly a passenger door. I'd appreciate any leads on good junkyards in CO and sources for parts. I might be able to offer up some parts, as I do know a gentleman in the area with a few BRATs that will never see the road again. I can take a look at those and get an inventory. Looking forward to joining the fold! --Andy

Cool. I'm gonna get after that front underside rust ASAP. Any leads on tracking down parts? I had a good junkyard when I was in Maine, but suspect most of stuff will be found in Denver in CO.

This is a second vehicle. I have a reliable 98 Legacy for my daily driver. Projects will have to get spread out as resources permit. I can probably afford to put $200 a month or so into it. My roommate knows how to weld, but we don't have the ability to paint. He and I could probably also handle repairs that don't require specialized tools. But my garage is also a dedicated parking spot, so can't have the BRAT torn apart in it for weeks at a time. I probably will only be able to dedicate a about a week's worth of evenings each month to it.

Did my best to get some shots of the underside. Worst spot is front driver side.

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll work on getting some pics of the underside. Part of the reason I went for it was the condition of the wheel wells and frame, in my estimation, which admittedly is always a bit blinded by BRAT infatuation. It was supposedly maintained from 1993-2008 by Metro Subaru in Denver, and driven by the owner of that shop (the regular one, not the performance place). More pics ASAP.

Hi everyone, It has been quite awhile since I've posted, but I've been around and still faithfully pursuing Subaru enlightenment. Anyway, I found a 1985 BRAT here in Vail, CO, a couple weeks ago and sealed the deal for $1775. May have overpaid a bit, but there just seems to be fewer and fewer around, so I went for it. Check out the photos and let me know what you think. 215K. I'm struggling with where to begin on it. It drives great and hasn't lost any fluids in the first 100 or so miles I've driven it. The oil pressure is reading high, and the e-brake seems to stick a little. The passenger side of the body needs the most work, and overall it needs a paint job. Decals, rear wheel wells. The dash has a few solid cracks in it -- is it even feasible to replace these? The previous owner "drilled an extra hole in the carburetor" -- to improve pick-up, he said. Have not taken a look at this yet. Thanks for looking and chiming in...I've wanted a road-worthy BRAT since I was a kid!

I did this over the weekend. Ended up getting the part from exhaustwarehouse.com. It came quickly and with a 5 year warranty. The hardest part was getting it all off. I shouldn't have bothered trying to save the bolts, as once I started cutting with a dremel, it all came off rather quickly. There's some soft aluminum that goes in between the front and mid pipe that was sort of quirky to work with, but it appears to be flush and there are no leaks that I can see. All in all it took me about 4 hours and $170.

Josh's page has the procedure on how to read the TCU codes: http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/trans.html

Your Game has just begun. Good luck.

From my understanding, there's a pipe with a cat coming out of the manifold; then the rear pipe, which some call the mid-pipe, with another cat; then the muffler, which has another section of pipe attached to it. The one I need is the rear/mid-pipe. I checked all the internet prices--143 at exhuast warehouse was best deal. I am concerned I won't be able to do it myself though and that a shop would be reluctant to install it for me.

Yes, I've been met with "it's illegal to install a used cat."

Yeah the chain and the local shop want more than it's worth to me. exhaustwarehouse.com has a "direct-fit coverter," which looks enough like the OEM part for $143. http://www.exhaustwarehouse.com/index.cfm?display=converter_prod_info_list.cfm&id=144&unitprice=143.02

My 92 Legacy needs the rear exhuast pipe (one with cat attached) replaced because the pipe has completely detached from the cat, which is loud. Do you all think $258 is a decent price for a new one? (that's just for the part, not the install) and how much should the install cost? Thanks!

My 92 had the filler pipe rust out twice and also the bad lines. Leaking gas is no fun, but it was pretty cheap to fix.

The ONLY time I've ever been stuck in a Legacy is when stuck on high crusty snow and the wheels actually come off the ground. Otherwise, smooth sailing. knock on wood. (knock knock).

My 98 doesn't have DRL's. The sat system is awesome, but it was pricey to get it all done. I got a Samsung Nexus, which is a portable player but has to be docked to receive live content. The radio itself was only 70 bucks. But the car kit was also 70, and to have it installed so there's no wires showing anywhere, and to hardwire it to the radio (rather than using the built in FM transmitter) was another 70, then you add in subscription costs... It's worth it though as I have a fairly long commute. I guess I could have just bought a sat ready deck for the car but I like being able to take the radio inside too.

They were just stock sylvania bulbs. It's the first time I've had to replace them and I've had the car since 114K. Although, the bulbs in my 1992 legacy, which I also have had since 114 have never needed replacement--and that's at 250. Go figure.

98 Legacy L, 137K. Recently had a satellite radio kit installed through my existing aftermarket cd player. 2 days later, one headlight goes. Five minutes after the first, the second goes. Both only blew the low beams. Think it's just a coincidence that they went so close together or do I have an electrical problem on my hands? Installed new bulbs and they are OK after one night of driving around.

It was actually in upstate NY at the time. I was dumbfounded too b/c I think a t-belt job is pretty easy money for a shop.

I tried to have mine changed at 120K and the shop said they'd never seen one go so don't bother. At 191K it went. Luckily I wasn't in the middle of nowhere.

1st Subaru parts has them new for pretty cheap. https://www.1stsubaruparts.com/partscat.html Also, a local guy I go through (Portland, ME) seemed to have several on hand for the same or slightly cheaper than 1st Subaru parts. E-mail me if you'd like his contact info: rottenhead at hotmail.

RE Foglights. I see Teague's has the factory kit for 175. Parts America sells various stuff for 30-60. Anyone have experience either way? I'm leaning toward ponying up for the real deal... Here's another thought. I like the look of the GT, but wanted the 2.2. I have the nice wheels to put on, will put in the fogs. I don't think the cost would be prohibitive to put a spoiler and roof rack on. The only think that might be tough to pull off is the body colored moulding and side-view mirrors? I'm thinking they might just snap right on though...perhaps I could find a wrecked GT or something...

Boooo on the timing belt change. I wasn't aware of that. I have some good Blizzaks on steel rims from my 92 that I plan to toss on in the winter.

Hi all. I finally gave in and am putting my '92 Legacy to rest at 250K. I may keep it on the road a bit longer if I can get someone to fix the seatbelt (lap belt fraying, automatic no longer working) and ignore the rust. Anyway, I got what I thought was a reasonably good deal on a '98 Legacy L with 113K--$4300. So far it's been great. Smooth tranny, no loss of fluids, etc--and of course, the virtually indestructible 2.2. I'd like to put foglights in (anyone do this successfully on their own?) and I'm also going to put some nicer wheels on, perhaps the 5-spokes I have on my current ride.