I picked up a project from a guy in Southwest Va that gave up on it and bought a wrx. It has its issues but I'm pretty sure most of the hard part is done. He put a forester lift and tires on it as well as front brakes. The rear wheels still don't look centered and it accelerates rough (posted elsewhere). Will post pics soon.

I had the same issue when I put forester xt struts under mine, I just cut out the fender well all the way up to the rear door to make the opening centered on the wheel

Better pic

I've seen something about outback trailing arms but I haven't gotten too deep into that part yet. I'm working on the mechanical stuff first. What paint did you use on yours, Jtateam?

Hey, that's an idea! I just used rattle can, rust-oleum camouflage, khaki

I was thinking of doing a color close to that but I figured it would be covered in fingerprints in no time.

Pics as promised. One upside, the "cool hood" and corner lights swapped direct from the OBS.

Edited March 8, 201610 yr by Fubaru

Heck ya! Gonna be a sweet little car!!

You can use outback or forester trailing arms as both are longer than the impreza arms the outback are longer again than the forester arms from memory.

Looks like a great project good luck with it.

TOONGA

One problem down. Right rear caliper was seized and 95% of "brand new" pads were gone. New caliper and pads made it a little happier. Still has the missing at low rpm problem.

Does anyone know if there's a market for all the stock pieces (spoiler, bumpers, etc.) that I'm removing? If not, I'll just keep everything....just in case.

You can use outback or forester trailing arms as both are longer than the impreza arms the outback are longer again than the forester arms from memory.

Looks like a great project good luck with it.

TOONGA

The arms are the same. It's the Trailing arm brackets that are different.

So I just need to mounting brackets off a 97-99 outback and keep the forester arms?

QD Sway Bar links were easy enough. I still want to shorten the pin shafts and the wire locks so they aren't a snag point. Attempted to change the O2-sensor and the old one came out way too easy.... With the bung attached. Looks like a new cat is going to take priority.

So I just need to mounting brackets off a 97-99 outback and keep the forester arms?

Yep!

Simple enough.

 

Got the cat off the car, gutted it, welded the bung back in and re-installed the exhaust today. Car still runs like crap (different post) but I finally found (and ordered) luggage rack crossbars that allegedly fit as well as a fumoto valve to hasten oil changes.

.....baby steps.

Crossbars came in. They're not "universal" enough. There is no way to attach the rear bar due to no rear door jamb for the clamp to hook on. Well, when in doubt, get the welder out. Hopefully I'll have pics to post tomorrow.

Four months later the little beast has a new color, a winch mount, new seats, and roof rack mounts. It's slow but makin progress.

Got some interior in place and the aluminum skid plate is in and ready for pickup at the machine shop! Pics to follow.

This project has been sidelined multiple times due to work and training but here's where I am, 9 months in. Interior is 80% and all of the shift linkage parts came in. The door locks are fixed, skidplate installed, antenna replaced, and aftermarket headlamps are nearly fitted.

Headlamps and modified corner markers/turn signals are in and the oe rear bumper is back on until spring. Now to get the intake smoke tested in an attempt to find the vac leak.

Vac leak turned out to be a bad valve seal.   The hesitation and dead spot continued to get worse until the 1.8L met it's demise in West Virginia one fateful day in May.  The maximum depth of water a "forester lifted" impreza can cross without a snorkel is less than 20 inches.  After a $200 recovery and tow bill,  she limped home on 3 cylinders and is now waiting for the 2.2L swap with Delta cams.  Wheels and tires shipped yesterday and I'm hoping to be pulling the 1.8 sometime next week.

Delta cams installed in the obnoxiously colorful 2.2L and the hubs are re-studded to accept the steelies wrapped in maxxis bighorns. Intake manifold needs to be assembled and installed. Then on to the body and suspension.

Real progress finally being made. 2.2 mostly together and waiting to be installed.

Edited September 23, 20178 yr by Fubaru

Roof vent done... and for comparatively cheap. The engine is on hold due to missing one flywheel bolt. 8 new ones should be in Tues. then the engine should be going back in.... hopefully.