disrespectedSUB Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I'm looking for the cheapest and lightest possible here. I'm trying to find a wheel weight list that is searchable and provides lug patterns, or a list of cars that our lug pattern is the same as. I'm looking for the lightest(stock or aftermarket) 5x100 rims. They can have scratches or peeling and chips. I know some dodges and GM's have 5x100 but dont know weights. Also, looking for a MUCH lighter hood than what is on my 99 OBW. SO, I'm guessing fiberglass. Even a used one with some damage. I'd like to learn to fiberglass anyway. Lighter fenders or rotors would also be interesting to have as well. I'm trying to lighten this thing up without removing the nice interior or making it look trashy. My tin can Metro is one thing, but I'd like to keep this car looking pretty. I know the stick shift seems to run @3000rpm @60mph, but I think a change to a different gearing requires a trans and a rear swap, correct? What yr/model/RPO code would have a better fuel economy gearing? What are the ratios? How about the Subi 6-spd I hear talk of. This all seems random, and since I get @ 4hrs of sleep a night right now, it probably is, so bare w/me Thanks for any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) Also, looking for a MUCH lighter hood than what is on my 99 OBW. SO, I'm guessing fiberglass. Even a used one with some damage. I'd like to learn to fiberglass anyway. Carbon fiber. Lightest, strongest hoods you can get. Probably the most expensive too. Doubt you can find one for a Legacy though. Not much out there for lightweight options on the Legacy. Especially the Outback. The Outback is heavier by nature. More ground clearance from the taller struts, has lift blocks in the sub-frame, more goodies inside the car (leather seats, door trim, more sound deadening material) all that nickel and dime stuff adds up. If anything, the best way to lose weight, buy an Impreza. The 6 speed trans (one of them anyway) is marginally better top gear ratio than the 5 speed. The other 6 speeds are the same or worse. And at that, any 6 speed is gonna cost you big $$$, where any 5 speed more than 5 years old will be like $500 or less. A trans and diff swap isn't that hard, but the fdr change will get you ~300 rpm lower revs at 60. Hardly worth the money unless you get the parts really cheap. 99 OB will have 5x100 lug pattern wheels. Only way to see the weight of the wheels, is to look them up. Tirerack.com has a decent selection, there are plenty of brands out there that make very light rally/racing wheels that will fit Subarus. Team Dynamics Racing is a pretty big name in the Rally world. I have a set of Team dynamics wheels I need to sell listed in the Classified section here. Check in the vendor forums, and Classified sections here and at some of the links at the top of the page. You may find better info for your weigh loss plan at some of the more performance oriented forums. This board has more of the keep it stock, or add weight so it can off road better crowd. edit: we've had plenty of fuel economy threads here. Click the search button and you should find a few with plenty of hints/tips for better mileage. Might check out the links at the bottom of the page here under "Similar Threads". Edited January 17, 2011 by Fairtax4me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94Loyale Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 As Fairtax said, there really is not a whole lot out there for the Legacy's, weight savings wise. The 6spd is going to be money for sure. And just swapping the trans and rear for the gear ratio isn't going to net you anything worthwhile, same with the wheels honestly. If you are looking for lighter weight, def an impreza, or if you're in love with the feel of the 96-99 wagon like I am, a Legacy Brighton will be significantly lighter than your outback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wavekayaker Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 My old 97 Legacy Brighton I had showed a curb weight on the door card of ~1950 pounds (IIRC). The hood was a LOT lighter than the OBW hood. That scoop weighs a lot! The gears were also taller. I don't remember off the top of my head, but if you do some searching you can find the ratios. I never did understand why the car with less horsepower got taller gearing. I wish my curren OBW had the Brightons gearing. almost 4000RPMs on the interstate is a bit much! Good Luck! Anthony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disrespectedSUB Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 Thanks for the replies gang! I was searching, and among not finding some projection headlights, the hood was right up there. An 02 Ford Excursion has a hood that I swear is a 1/4 the weight of this thing! As for the wheels, my Geo Metro got lighter 14" rims, but tires are heavier and I went to vented rotors up front. The rotating mass makes a difference. Went from 50mpg down @42! So many hings I love about the car though..... It has heated seats for one; and they're cloth! Impreza is not a bad idea, BUT I picked this up for $800 w/new tires, new brakes, new clutch, 5spd, 239k miles. The techthat worked on it did this another another one in after doing headgaskets.... Being a GM tech for 11yrs now, I resealed a 95 2.2L and swapped the 2.5L out. @412-1400 later here I am! Not looking to separate with this sweetie anytime soon. And the GF and I are building a lil farther up north, so on the off chance she has to drive to work on a snow day, she is set(and I get my truck ) Like I said, I dont want to gut it, but some minor things like a hood and wheels might help. Can't bring myself to lose the hood w/the scoop..... Ah, the dilemas in life<smirk> Fairtax4me--I believe it was you that mentioned the blocks for lift. Were the Legacy's like I heard the Foresters were, lifted 3" in '03 and then had to be registered as a truck? Can I lift this thing more?!<----I know, it wont help fuel economy, but what will on this boat So many projects, but this homemade hood may have to be built. Time to learn more @fiberglass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disrespectedSUB Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 And Tax, you're @11hr round trip for me. I may have to keep those in mind though. I wish I could sell my Supra rims.I was only asking $200 and thats less than I paid for them in bad shape! They look like the ones in this link, but I powdercoated mine white and dusted the insides a lil. One has the center hub ground out a lil(by mistake-dont ask-LOL) and some have some lip scrapes from the damn tire machine, but you could grind it an polish the lip and they'd probably look even cooler. 79-81 Supra 1st on list: http://www.wheelcollision.com/ty013.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Fairtax4me--I believe it was you that mentioned the blocks for lift. Were the Legacy's like I heard the Foresters were, lifted 3" in '03 and then had to be registered as a truck? Can I lift this thing more?!<----I know, it wont help fuel economy, but what will on this boat So many projects, but this homemade hood may have to be built. Time to learn more @fiberglass The Outback lift is only about 1.5" higher than a regular Legacy. The struts give 1" of lift, and the slightly larger tires give another 1/2" or so. I think people get the extra 3" from the overall height, which includes the raised step roof on the Outbacks. The blocks between the chassis and front and rear cross members, a little less than 1", are there to lower the drivetrain to keep the working axle angle within acceptible spec. And yes, it can be lifted more. There are strut top lift kits available, or they can be made pretty easily with a little effort and a welder. Fuel economy will get better with a lower car though. Castrate, I mean, reverse it to regular Legacy height, and the closer to the road stance will yield an extra mpg or so on the highway. (is it worth it though?) :-p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 If you are looking to up your mileage you should check out brucey's thread (why wait for diesel) on subaruoutback.org, he has done a lot of testing and has made impressive gains. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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