Can I swap it into something newer? I'm assuming that the engine harness would need to be swapped but I don't really know how involved that is.
The engine runs pretty good although it MAY have been overheated before we purchased it. I did the head gasket job myself and had a very reputable local place do machine work on the heads. Engine has 200k miles on it, but it seems solid. In my mind it makes sense to try to buy a 500-700 shell and swap this out since his current car is getting so rusty and the chassis/brake lines/fuel lines etc is beginning to have more and more issues.
I know everything would likely FIT, however I don't know about the other aspects.
Also, is the automatic trans for the legacy any different than for the forester? If I found a 98 forester with a manual, could I swap the auto that he has in? His wife can't drive stick.