Hinano Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Just wanted to share my new project!1990 Subaru Legacy 5speed awd. Turns out someone put some freakin sealant into the engine and it needs to be replaced. Picked it up for $500 with $300 in back taxes What I thought was a blown head gasket was… BLOWN MOTOR New wheels! Bigger than my 5.5inch steelies! stock seats were way gone so I picked up some 04 WRX front and back seats with carpet and steering wheel for $300! Seats were dirty so took em off and power washed. 100 zipties for front and back!!! SOrry no more pics 04 WRX carpets fit pretty well but gap between backseats and door TEST FIT! GOTTA FIX THIS! I was thinking about making a little cubby. Well since I found out my motor is blown I've decided to swap in a turbo motor! I also picked up 04 STI suspension which is basically bolt on so I'm getting set for autoX and maybe some RALLY! LOL :jump: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkie Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Wow, sounds like you're going all in on this thing. Didn't expect that on a cheap old car, not that it won't be plenty capable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hinano Posted May 2, 2014 Author Share Posted May 2, 2014 Wow, sounds like you're going all in on this thing. Didn't expect that on a cheap old car, not that it won't be plenty capable. Labor of LOVE! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Wow...........I am impressed. Yea, truly a labor of love. What is with the $300 in back taxes?? Never heard of that before. Nice upgrades with the WRX and STI gear. Old motor looks really roached out. It has been sitting quite a while to build up that much rust. Once finished, I predict you will have one super nice Leggie. Keep us posted with updates and pixs. We love seeing reports like this on the USMB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkie Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 In some states you aren't allowed to just take a car off the road and stop paying DMV without filing the right paperwork. If you don't file it, they assume you want to keep registering it so they charge you late fees and penalties. These follow the car, so it's possible to buy a car with more in late fees than it's worth. I know that's how it works here in CA but don't know about other states. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) In VA DMV prevents title transfer and/or registration of a car if Personal Property taxes are owed to a county or city. The city can put a "Hold" on registration activity which can only be released by paying the owed taxes. Some cities will also file a hold for unpaid parking tickets. Just a way of making sure people pay their taxes, though this is generally only done if an account is seriously delinquent. Good fun project! Those wheels look awesome! Too bad about the engine. They just let it sit for forever with coolant in the cylinders. In a way its better though. I'm sure that engine has been overheated a few times. Edited May 3, 2014 by Fairtax4me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willwright Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 2 thumbs up from me, buy a car, fix it how you want it and owing no money on it. Great project and look forward to seeing your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 To fix the steering wheel: Pull the airbag module off the wheel, flip it over and carefully bend/pry the tabs out and cut out any rivets that hold the cover to the frame for the airbag igniter module. The igniter module should also unbolt from the metal frame and you may be able to get inside the cover that way, but there may not be as much room to work. Get a vinyl/leather seat repair kit from an auto parts store (or ebay/amazon) Glue the fabric to the back of the cover and use the special repair goop to fill in the seam on the front. Then fold up some cloth behind the cover (or use part of the airbag), and cut a block of stiff styrofoam to fill in the space vacated by the airbag and igniter module. Put the metal support back on and bend the tabs back. Might need a new rivet or two in the corners, but screws would probably work just as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hinano Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) To fix the steering wheel: Pull the airbag module off the wheel, flip it over and carefully bend/pry the tabs out and cut out any rivets that hold the cover to the frame for the airbag igniter module. The igniter module should also unbolt from the metal frame and you may be able to get inside the cover that way, but there may not be as much room to work. Get a vinyl/leather seat repair kit from an auto parts store (or ebay/amazon) Glue the fabric to the back of the cover and use the special repair goop to fill in the seam on the front. Then fold up some cloth behind the cover (or use part of the airbag), and cut a block of stiff styrofoam to fill in the space vacated by the airbag and igniter module. Put the metal support back on and bend the tabs back. Might need a new rivet or two in the corners, but screws would probably work just as well. Thanks for that! I was staring at the steering wheel for 30 min today contemplating on how to go about it. While I was messing around I did create something though! CREATIVE PROCESS IS DA spoob! LIMITED "OEOE" EDITION: Special steering compass which points toward anywhere you are going! You have to trim the clips, thats it. Here are the seats by the way! Center council broke so.. JB WELD You gotta trim the WRX carpet and take out some of the padding for the center council to fit Tested the kicker panel thing with the original grey carpet. What do you guys think? The cloths on the doors will be reupholstered dark grey so I think I need to make them the same as my carpet. Sorry for all the pics but I'm having fun time sharing and figure this will make it much less intimidating for the next newbie. Didn't get much done today but I did just score on craigslist! Free 08 STI speakers and head unit! I'm going on a little vacation across the island to pick them up. This is my daily by the way! 2001 Miata special edition, 6 speed with lsd rear w/koni yellows and ground control coil overs. Edited May 3, 2014 by Hinano Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 You may want to see if fabric dye can darken the door panels. It may work, if not you don't have anything to loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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