themixtoo

I started this project in 2002, when something went haywire in the computer system of my 83.5 Turbo Brat (and no one in Cleveland had the testing equipment anymore). Didn't want to junk the car (super rare here in northeast Ohio) so I set it aside. In 2004, my daughter was involved in an accident with a huge semi-dump truck, she wasn't hurt, but the '95 Impreza wagon was 'totaled' by the insurance co. I bought it back from them for $350 and then decided to make a Impreza/Brat. The Impreza had been damaged on the passenger front corner. I parted most of the car out but kept the engine/trans, rear diff and suspension engine cradle and the left side front suspension and the complete wiring harness with the combo meter too. After researching ideas here on USMB I started the transformation. It seemed to me that doing a lift would allow me to bolt a 3x3 steel tube to the factory cradle bolts and then I could relocate the Impreza cradle about one inch forward so I could put some nice 32" tires on 15" rims under it. All was well and good till I had to custom make the front/rear lower control arm mounting brackets. Any way, it all worked out ok till I inspected the EJ22 engine. The accident snapped the threaded bosses off the engine block where the power steering pump mounted and I was at a stand still. Fast forward to last year and once again, my daughter had destroyed another '95 Subaru.... this time a Legacy..she calls and says "dad I'm sending the Legacy to the recycle yard, do you want anything off it?" WELL.... I'll take the whole thing.... at least this one she didn't hurt the engine

Oh yeah, by the way the 95 Impreza is long gone...... all of this is going into my '83.5 Turbo Brat that I custom built a 3"lift with the entire Impreza suspension. I just checked my old posts......can't believe it's been 10 years since I started this project.

Thanks again for the info......... tried to remove the speed sensor, but to no avail....aluminum to aluminum not touched in 20 years DUH........... I am soaking them in penetrating oil right now, don't want to strip any threads..... that would be not good.

Thanks, I'll give it a try....... I just didn't want to break anything inside.

I have a 95 Impreza with a bad 4eat trans...... recently picked up a 95 Legacy 4eat trans..... how do I change the speed sensor that's in the Legacy trans to the cable set-up in the Impreza? Trans codes on the VIN tags read Impreza...TZ102ZA3BA and TZ102ZAAAA on the Legacy. Also, do they have the same final drive gear ratios? so I don't have to change the rear diff... Thanks in advance for any help. Gary in Cleveland, Ohio

So, everything is bolted up and the right side (with the modified upper strut bracket) is 1/2" higher than the left side. Here we go again, I guess I"ll have to redesign the left upper strut mount for the third time. This is such a drag, but I WILL get it sooner or later. The Brat sure looks neat with these 27" AT tires mounted on those 15" rims from GrossGary. Thanks again. '

Well it's a monumental day today, not just because the wife and I are celebrating our anniversery (32 years) but the Brat rear suspension with the additional 2.5 inches of lift so my 27" tires will fit IS FINISHED:banana: . Last night I fabricated a couple of brackets to mount the Impreza rear rubber brake hoses. Now they are primered and painted, but I can't install them because the little clips that lock the hoses into the struts and the brackets had to be 'special ordered' from my local 'Ru dealer (go figure). Next up is to re-design the upper front strut spacers as now I have new Legacy Outback front struts ready to install but I think they will lift the front too high (is there such a thing) and damage the front axles. So modification is in order as I really want to drive this THING on the street sometime this year.

I'm afraid 'easy' doesn't discrible me very well. Probably 'different' is more like it. . Gary

Ok I've downloaded that Easy Thumbnails thing, lets try again

Thanks, I'll give it a try

OK....Finally it rolls on the Impreza suspension!!!!!!!! I'm still not thru, rear will be 2.5" higher and the front will be about another inch higher. What you see here is with my '98 2.5RS Impreza 16" wheels on. The final 'look' will have 27" tires. These are only 25" in dia. DAMN once again can't download the pix it's too big and even my kids laugh at me when I ask how to reduce it. Any feedback would be appreciated. LOL. Gary

Sorry it took me so long to see your thread. I think you can do this without a lift but serious cutting will need to be done around the tunnel and under the rear seat area. Also, if you can get away with an aftermaket fuel cell that'll make things alot easier. The rear differential is mounted differently than early hatchbacks with 4WD. Check out the thread with the EJ22 Justy, if he could do that I'm sure you can too, but he didn't take it to the level we're headed to. Gary

I have a '84 Turbo Brat and it HAS 25 spline inners. Don't know the correct part # but I'm sure an old OE parts book (if any still exist) would have that #. I do remember it was a different # than the standard 4WD. Gary

Started fabricating the front mount for the differential/lower radius rod. Mocked it up, tried to tack weld it, couldn't get good penetration (in other words F'd it up). At two in the morning, woke up and remembered just how important it is to turn ON the gas when using a MIG welder. HAHAHAHA

That's funny you mention Summit Racing, I was just looking at their catalog yesterday, as a matter of fact they are only 45 minutes from my house. I might be able to use one of their fuel cells after the Brat is emissions exempt but not right now.

This 'tweeking' of the rear suspension has turned into a nightmare! Everything turns into a project. The seperate mount for the front of the differential had to be narrowed 7" and the outer pivot bushings on the rear spindles are frozen. Don't want to damage the spindles so I'm trying to drill out the rusted bolt (got five hours into one bolt so far and NADA/NOTHING, can't even budge it with a sledge hammer and my tie rod fork tool. CAN'T BELIEVE MY FIRST POST ON THIS PROJECT WAS ALMOST A YEAR AGO!!!!

Great idea BUT still got to pass E-Check here in Ohio......Tank must at least 'look' OE. Gary

Thanks, Carl..I'll check them out. Gary

Interesting thought, is the '02-'04 stuff the same as my '95?

Even with a 3 inch lift in the back, there is not enough room above the Impreza rear suspension cradle and the floor to put the original tank back in. Tried that allready.

Sorry, everybody, lots of things happened to distract me on this project. This 'cut the spring' idea didn't work. I'm still experimenting with a new plan.....99 Outback struts, Impreza coil springs and my custom top mounts will give me 6.5" lift (on stock 14" wheels). this may put too much strain on the CV joints as I only dropped the Xmember 3", but we'll see. Engine and trans are in. Last night I bolted up the Impreza rear suspension assembly, needs a little 'tweeking' but it looks pretty good except now I got no place for a fuel tank. Does a Justy tank have the fuel pump inside or does anyone know where I can get the Impreza tank modified to fit between the 'frame rails' of the Brat? Gary

1999 Legacy Outback front struts are two inches longer and the lower spring mount is 1 7/8" higher than the Impreza Outback Sport strut. I might have to modify my upper strut mount as I allready have 4.5" of lift added at that point. now I know 6.5" lift sounds cool but I don't want to break any CV joints either. Thanks again for all the help. Gary

You are correct-o-mundo. I only had time last night to take a glance at them (she must have ESP) as she kept a close eye on me last night. Rears look very different but the fronts look like they will work. Still won't know until I can actually remove a wheel. Maybe t'm'r'o, would be nice to finally get a day here in the 50's. LOL Gary

Thanks for the thread. I'll check out the specs on my wife's '03 Baja. I think it has the highest ground clearance of all our 'Ru's. If it will work I'll convince her she needs new struts on the Baja and then I'll keep the 'old' ones for myself:brow: . I should be ashamed of myself....NOT! Gary