Hi everyone,
First time post. Sent here by an outstanding member of the Outback Yahoo Group.
My '99 O/B, s/w, 5mt has just under 249k miles. It _appears_ the main bearings are going south. My mechanic, at Hartlaub's Auto Service (a former dealer mechanic who went out on his own) & I are considering putting a 2.2L in it. He's always wanted to try it but never had a guinea pig.
My goal is for the car to run another 3 years which, at the current annual mileage, will put it at ~325k miles. (I've also just dumped a new exhaust into it, starting at the 2nd cat to the end of the car + new tires in Dec.)
I'm looking for any/all advice! I'm told this is the place to be.
I already know I'm taking a hit on power (though I suspect someone out there has upped their 2.2L) but gaining reliability and a few more MPGs. I currently get 27-30MPG, combined/mixed. The 5 speed stays - it's got some bearing noise in 4th but that can wait. I have an early '99 so, of course, the fool thing is a DOHC and hardly worth rebuilding. Just had a pulley on the timing belt nearly seize, bending the water pump shaft + jumping the timing on one cam by 1 or 2 teeth...and what DOHC 2.5L is complete without doing the HGs? Can you tell I'm just not that into my 2.5L any more?
MANY MANY sincere thanks for your time & experiences!
Heck...I'd toss in a 2.2L Turbo ouia' WRX if I could get one (worth having) cheap!
Joe
'99 O/B, s/w, 5mt, 248k miles...and hammering shortly after a dead cold start