Hi everybody. I have a 1988 Subaru GL wagon, automatic with a bad trans. I just found an ad on craigslist of a 1987 GL-10 wagon with a bad engine... Its a year older, and its a 5-speed, and the engine is a turbo. (so a completely different setup, mine was auto/non-turbo... but both are push-button 4WD)

 

Would my engine fit into his 5-speed car without much/any modification? are they the same engine? (I was also wondering about the turbo and if that would fit right onto my non-turbo engine?)

 

here is the ad:

http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/2396408919.html

 

 

thanks in advance for all the help guys!

-nate

You can't use the turbo on your other engine because they have different compression ratios. If it were me doing this I would go with the GL-10 and fix the engine. Things would be torn apart anyways so it isn't much more work to go through the engine and rebuild it. At least if the body is in good shape.

Edited May 28, 201114 yr by Cougar

I belief the wiring is different and would take some modification because the Turbo is an MPFI while yours is SPFI.

 

Why not just put his transmission in your car? The GL-10 does have a digital dash, probably a sunroof, "nicer" seats, probably rear discs etc.

 

But you will encounter sunroof leaks, digital doesnt always mean better...

 

If it were my situation, Id pick up that GL-10 and swap everything except the EA82T engine into mine. Id put rear discs on mine, put the transmission in mine, pull my engine, reseal it to give it more life, and pretty much use the GL-10 as a parts car, or even part it out, try and lower the cost of my "project" swap.

 

Just my .02

The GL10 will have 4wdb and more than likely the LSD rear differential. Seats are much better than in the GL. If you use the turbo transmission in your car, you won't even have to swap the rear differential because the turbo had the 3.70 ratio, same as what is under your car now. You could easily resell the LSD for a couple of hundred dollars.

Hi,

 

The GL-10 has the turbo engine in part, because of it's weight. Saddled with AC, and all that GL-10 stuff. Even the drivers seat is heavier. Not a good combination for a SPFI EA-82. Add your stuff, people...one advantage you'll have is the five speed, either way. Does it have a diff lock? It shouldn't, but front wheel drive and pushbutton 4WD?

 

Only LSD I've got is in a '88 Turbo Traction Wagon. 5 sp, diff lock, AWD. My '86 with auto, pushbutton 4WD. my '87 has 5 sp. pushbutton 4WD.

 

I have two three GL-10's here, none of the sunroofs leak.:-\ And they too add weight.

 

Which is the better body, which one would you want to work on?

 

hth,

 

Doug

Edited May 28, 201114 yr by Quidam