AWDfreak

Does your Subaru have a flux capacitor? Welcome to USMB, this place is filled with extremely knowledgeable people!

Dude, that's kick-rump roast! So, does that mean you're going to do the widebody conversion

Guess the clutches can't handle the diesel engine's torque

Sucks that happened... But you spent wisely :slobber::slobber:

I've always loathed automatic transmissions, but I am quite interested to see a test between auto and manual Subarus on a video to see the difference. And as much as I hate automatics, I would actually like to drive an AWD auto in the mud patch I've driven my 5MT Outback in to feel the difference. Is there any reason why the AWD manual Subarus are always mechanical AWD? And how about the STI? I know that's a huge can of worms I'm opening, but what is it more related to; the manual (viscous center diff) or the automatic (electronic transfer clutch)?

Ahahahaha! Well, maybe you could get that EJ25D to sound as mean as those V8s with unequal length headers

Thanks dude! I didn't know there was such a site that catered to owners of Subarus!!! From what I can see, looks like they take Subaru owners into consideration. Also lots of variety of products, thanks for the link!

Tell us about it! I'm debating whether I should put Sylvania Silverstars or Hella bulbs in my fogs.

Dam, awesome!!! Keep us updated! I want to see more of the EJ25D, since it is the same engine in my Outback! Oh, are you going to use Subaru head gaskets?

I remember reading in some Subaru forums (don't remember if it was here or somewhere else) that the 1st gen Outback could fit the rear Impreza's strut tower brace. I want to confirm this here in the trusty USMB, and also, am wondering if any other strut tower braces are compatible with the front struts. But even more, I'd like to have a list of Subarus in which have certain interchangeable strut tower braces and other miscellaneous suspension parts and accessories. This is for the benefit of everyone else. I could not find enough information from the results of my search on USMB. As for the people who'll say "you don't need it" and such, I WANT it! I would love to buy the genuine STI/SPT stuff, but aftermarket manufacturers are welcome if FHI doesn't make 'em for my 1999 Legacy Outback.

I love how the engine bay is muddy and dirty Well, for starters, a good lift kit will be mandatory. I'd say at least 6 inches for really serious mudding. Then maybe some skidplates. A diff guard (that is, if the rear didn't come with a diff guiard) or two, some nice off-road bumpers, sheetloads of fog lights, huge rally mud flaps.. OK, at this point, I'm daydreaming

In your Owner's Manual, there should be an area describing where the coolant reservoir is. That's where you fill up your coolant. As for the type of coolant, some say that the Genuine Subaru coolant is the best coolant to use. In addition, I would highly recommend you have a mechanic put in the Subaru cooling system conditioner, which helps seal up any leaks in the cooling system. (search WP-99 and you'll find out). Your Subaru dealerships should have both the cooling system conditioner and Genuine Subaru coolant available.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Subaru Legacy Blitzen (considering where the thread is going), which was a collaboration between Porsche engineers (I think) and Subaru Tecnica International. http://www.subaru-sti.co.jp/blitzen/voice/voice_f.htm http://www.subaru-sti.co.jp/blitzen/top/top_f.htm only in Japanese, but you can translate it via Google. \/\/\/ Here's the translated page, not the best, but enough to understand it \/\/\/ http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.subaru-sti.co.jp%2Fblitzen%2Fvoice%2Fvoice_f.htm&sl=ja&tl=en

Yes, that is correct. The Baja (8.4 inches) has about 2 more inches over the Impreza Outback. However, I do believe the regular Outbacks of that generation had worse ground clearance than the Baja at the same 7.3 inches as the previous generation (MY 96-99). However, uplevel trim Outbacks of that generation (L.L. Bean, VDC, H6) had 7.9, pretty darned close to the Baja's ground clearance.

This is the best I could find: http://www.snedcs.com/dcsmain/service/WWP_subnet2-5-04.htm But consider yourself more fortunate; those with a 1999 or before 2.5L Subaru engine have to deal with the major Phase I head gasket issue, which I have experienced. The Phase II SOHC engines (MY 2000 and onwards) don't have it as bad, from what I can remember reading on these forums.

I envy you for having such options... Because I got the EJ25D equipped Outback with that awful non-functional hood scoop!!! If my engine dies, I will NOT have the option of swapping in an EJ22t since I'm in California (where the eco nazis and car crazy people fight), which means passing smog is mandatory. Unfortunately, running an EJ22t won't pass smog since I have a 1999 Outback. So, no TMIC for me. Enough of my stupid rant. Unfortunately, I cannot answer your questions. All I can do is hope for the best for your engine swap When it's all done, show us the awesomeness of a turbocharged, manual Outback!

Oh man... I do believe I have torn rack boots. They got torn up a few months ago when I was driving through a flood. After that, I've noticed more steering effort is needed, and that at low speeds (like parking, backing out, etc) the steering sounds odd. It hasn't bothered me enough to do anything much, though.

I've noticed that whenever I warm up my engine or when I'm decelerating to a stop, my engine makes an odd noise at around 2500RPM to 3000RPM. It sounds like it may be coming from the exhaust. It sounds like a vibrating metallic noise, as if metal on metal were vibrating. I've had this problem since I got the car (85,000 miles), my 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited wagon has 97,500 miles on it right now, 5-speed manual, EJ25D.

What mileage do the tensioners usually need to be serviced? What mileage do they fail at without proper service/maintenance? I have had my engine diagnosed with rod knock at the dealer, but an independent shop said no major engine problems (besides head gasket at the time). Turns out independent shop did a valve job on it (plus a head gasket replacement).

True that! Lots of great roads in this state, but just about all of them are in such bad conditions, I wouldn't try to drive them hard with something as powerful as a Dodge Viper. Of course, a Subaru with AWD and a manual transmission gives me confidence Oh, and since you haven't yet, you MUST! I honestly believe it is a road that should be driven before death! If the road isn't twisting laterally, it'll be a roller coaster ride in elevation change!!!

Nice to know you got the problem resolved! Have you taken CA-58 between US-101 and Bakersfield? It's epic, I guarantee that!!!

Wow, so taking off the diff guard will be pointless?!?! Thank goodness I haven't actually taken it off yet. And I don't get how that test works with a vLSD, can someone explain please?

OK, so I have done some of research as to whether my 1999 Legacy Outback has an LSD or not. I called Subaru of America customer service, and after more than 30 min of waiting, I was told that the rear LSD should come with the all-weather package. Many other sites I've read say that certain model year Subarus NEVER got any form of any LSD. And some car research sites state the Outback came with an LSD. So, in an attempt to find out, I looked underneath only to remember that my Outback has a black, metal differential guard in the rear. I tried to remove it, but with no actual shop lift and just plain jacks, I couldn't get a good look at the fasteners of the diff guard. I do have a Haynes Repair Manual on 1990-1999 model year Legacy, but it doesn't mention anything about the removal of the rear differential guard. Can someone help me?!?! I really want to see the sticker on my rear diff if it really is an LSD, but the diff guard is in the way. Is it too difficult to remove with plain ratchets and wrenches? I do NOT have a breaker bar, and no shop lifts. Is it better if I just pay/ask a shop to remove and reinstall the diff guard???

Oh, I'll order stuff from them next time I want some parts. Tirerack does have a lot of stuff, but it obviously doesn't offer as many products as importrp. Also, I don't really expect shorter stopping distances, I'm just hoping for it I intend to run the OEM Subaru pads. Unless I find another Subaru racing team-associated brake brand... And as for Brembo being OEM rotors for Subarus, isn't it only the STI that has been using Brembo components?

Alright, I ordered the Brembo front rotors since I am too low on cash to pay about an extra $30 for genuine Subaru rotors. Ordered them from tirerack (for whoever posted another site, I didn't feel that the price difference was enough for me to try it). It's expected to arrive just before the end of the year. Can't wait to install them! My front rotors are just begging to be changed! I'll see for myself if they last as long as the OEM rotors or not. I hope they do last as long as the OEMs, although I do have my doubts. But really, I'm looking forward to: * installing new rotors * having THE BRAND [brembo] of rotors race teams trust (but not the actual racing rotors) * testing if the Brembo rotors make my car stop any shorter