KiwiGL

If you're painting bare metal I'd recommend self-etching as it'll stick to the metal better due to the chemical reaction, but if you're priming over existing paint epoxy should be fine. Since you've sanded it back I'd go with the self-etching. One thing though, it's not a rust-converting paint - so if you spray t over rust it won't stop the rust. It's just designed to etch new, clean metal. Cheers.

Thought I'd share my Forester with you all. I know it's new-gen, but it is 12 years old with 207,000km so it's a long way from mint, the photos make it look waaay better than it is. Basically, it's a 2002 SG Forester 2.5X. NZDM, so it has the 1.19:1 D/R 5-speed, a vLSD rear, rear discs, and the EJ251, not the EJ202 like JDM Foresters. Plans are to just build it up a bit, get a set of cheap snow tyres off a Jap import for 4x4ing and just drive it. Snow tyres are cheap here as we don't ever get enough snow to really need them, my photos say otherwise, but they are all taken above 600m (1200ft) and the amount of snow is low anyway. The tyres come in on Jap imports from the mountains over there. My main build thread is over on offroadsubarus.com at http://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=5568 I bought the car early June, and immediately started modifying it - nothing too obvious as the laws are fairly strict here in NZ, but just a few things that would give it a unique look. Started off with a skidplate from my old Leone - it died a natural death from multiple causes, had terminal rust in the firewall and A-pillars, as well as surface rust on the roof and bonnet and too many rusty stone-chips to count - basically needed a full respray. The engine was rattly, ticked, leaked and burnt oil and coolant and the 3AT was on its way out (nasty rattle and erratic shifting), and the suspension was shot... If I had a spare 5 grand and a lot of time I'd have restored it but yeah, I'm way too busy with studies and that. So a Forester it was, as the L had failed its last warrant and I needed a car for the winter's skiing. The manual in the Foz was a bonus, I was sick of driving auto. Here's one of the Leone: The other attraction with the Foz was the dual-range full-time AWD and the better ground-clearance, without the need for a lift kit (which requires an engineer's certification in NZ). While the reduction isn't amazing at 1.19:1, it's a lot better than nothing, and it works well from the offroading I've done so far. Bashplate: Stickers: Diff breather: DRLs: I also screwed the bottom corners of the number plate in to prevent it getting ripped off when fording rivers, I've seen it happen before. Intake: I did this to make water ingestion less likely when fording, as the stock airbox wasn't the best design. I've since added another PVC elbow to replace the first box too, sealed the joints with silicone. Changed the plugs, they were toast, as well as the gearbox/diff fluids. I also touched up my stone-chips to prevent a repeat of my previous car. To give you an idea of how bad rust can get in the Dunedin climate, here's an old MY wagon from up the Peninsula, just before the Karetai Rd. turnoff: There's pretty much nothing left below the doors. Previous owner bent a couple of the pinch welds on the sills. A shot of it the day I got it, prior to new tyres (slightly oversize at 215/65R16 vs 215/60 stock), RallyArmor mudflaps and removal of the little flaps before the front wheels. A few shots of it in various scenery: A bit of flexing. I could have flexed more, but I had to reverse out, I was by myself down a long dirt track and I didn't want to get stuck due to diagonal spin. Anyway, that's probably enough pic dumping for one day.

Actually, I'm curious as to how you did the 5-stud - did you find Vortex/XT6 parts, or go the Aussie way with the Crossbreed conversion kit?

I don't know, I'd keep the 85/86 bumper. We only ever got these in NZ, and I much prefer the flush indicators to the recessed ones - I'm not a fan of the USDM extended bumper look. But each to their own I suppose. Sweet find anyway, love that colour.

Try AUSUBARU.com, it's an Australian Subaru website, there's plenty of Melbourne members there.

My dad drives his 86 pretty hard, it has some 24,000km now and no major issues. Had one taillight fixed due to the condensation though, and the reversing sensor wiring was badly fixed and rattled at first, but apart from that it's been fine. Great even, a really nice car to be in/drive. Handles much better than his previous Impreza 2.0R. In NZ, the 86 version seems to be a lot more popular though, I've seen numerous 86s, and only one BRZ. Probably due to the fact the Toyota 86 costs ~$34,000 base compared to $49,000 for the BRZ. I haven't heard any complaints from NZ 86 owners.

Yeah, being from NZ I've seen several JDM top-mounted sets of fogs in yellow, with the pop-up white covers. My friend's mum used to have a JDM silver on navy turbo fulltime 4WD D/R Touring Wagon with the fogs, white 8 spoke 14"s (in a style similar to Minilite), bashplate and height control suspension. Very cool wagon. Wish they hadn't sold it before I got my licence, I loved that car. Sadly, it's probably been wrecked, there's very few L series' in NZ anymore. And the front lip on that red sedan is unique, never seen one like it before with the split look.

Wheels are Subaru or aftermarket, I've seen them in silver onother vehicles before. Also looks like it had foglights at some point, judging by the bumper holes.

What are you towing with your hitch? Doesn't look overly solid to me, just like it's bolted through the sheetmetal and the rear bumper. Feel free to correct though.

Again not wanting to hijack your thread, but just wanting to say that I think I saw your Brumby the other day on Portsmouth Dr. You took off from the lights and I noticed the lpg sticker on the door; then I saw the 5-stud hubs and did a double-take, as I wasn't expecting to see those on an lpg Brumby... As for fuel effeciency, probably not great, at least 9l/100km.

I like it, but you need projector headlamps to complete the look.

Is the 2.5 shortblock still in good condition? It's possible to use the 2.2 heads with the 2.5 block, for a bit more power than the standard EJ22. It'll still be a bit down compared to an EJ25D though, as the heads don't flow as well, and this 'frankenmotor' also requires custom head gaskets from Cometic.

It will be a bit sluggish with the 1.6 and if it's a manual, taking off on a boat ramp with the boat on could be an interesting hill start. Otherwise, I've seen people use concrete boat ramps with FWD cars with no probs. If you're towing long distances with large hills and it's an auto you may want to consider a transmission cooler and an upgrade to disc brakes on the back for better stopping, but if you're only going a short way it shouldn't be a problem. Personally I've towed my dad's 700kg aluminium boat and trailer behind a 2.0 manual AWD Impreza with no probs, but steep hill starts get the clutch smelling a bit (no dual range from 08 on in NZ). I also tried towing my friend's rally car on a trailer; that was around a ton or 2000 pounds, and while that's fine for a braked trailer on my car (up to 1250kg braked) there was not enough torque or clutch for hillstarts. Cheers.

No idea, you could try and get ahold of the guy through his youTube/fb and get the plans to make yourself a set. I'd imagine shipping from nz= expensive.

This guy in NZ has designed a unique suspension system, tested on a Leone sedan. Is used for off-road racing - looks impressive when compared to the ride/handling characteristics of the sotck suspension. Design is a self-regulating fully pneumatic suspension, using custom lathed parts. Videos below. The suspension: And comparison with conventional: See his channel and FB for more. https://www.facebook.com/pages/HEIDI-the-Paddock-Car/292602420089 I'm not the guy, just found this and thought it cool, kinda like the guy in NZ who made DOHC EA82 heads for a light aircraft. Enjoy, discuss and I hope I posted in the correct section (mods, feel free to move).

Try the forum ausubaru.com for more info, but they should fit, not sure about the offset though.

Good to see this is still getting around. I saw it at McLeod's Garage in Waverly about a year ago, and haven't seen it since. Rare with the spoiler, first I've ever seen, especially in the touring wagon body. Is it NZ new or JDM? Pity about the dent, that'll be a bitch to fix in that place. Also, welcome to the site.

That's a great pair of cars! Yeah, the twin-tops are relativel common here in NZ. I'd really love to get one when I graduate.

I'll have to keep an eye out for that next time I pass through Glenorchy. Pretty nice condition, was it a Central Otago Brumby?

There is a way to do the electronic split, I have no idea how it's done but the first reply sounds like it would work. I'm sure someone else can confirm, it's been done on a few vehicles.

It's entirely possible to replace the EA-82T with just about any later model 4-cylinder Subaru engine, especially the EJ series. Try searching the board, you'll get some ideas, but here's one for now, if money's no object... http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/126559-retro-gl-10-turbo-build/

I thought the repro skins were plastic? Or is that just the fenders? Either way, it's pretty clean apart from the tailgate. Nice buy!

Well, from the auction details it's had a swap to a version 8 STi drivetrain, so it's no longer twin-turbo. As for what goes wrong, I can't fill you in on that, sorry.

Yeah, nobang has a 1st gen sedan. Currently Subaruless myself, due to a lack of funds as a student, but I'll get there. Welcome to the board.

Doesn't bolt to EJ, starter wrong side. Sorry mate.