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Newbie to Subies.... info needed


Guest Toyofast
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Guest tomrhere

Myself, I'd try and get a second car from them, hopefully one with good engine, and whatnot. Do the swapping of needed pieces, and then part out the donor car to recoupe some of my money. Or just hang on to it for my own use later. That is one sweet looking wagon. Like everyone else, really like those rims. Also, on another note. It's is always good to have "The Wife's Blessing" on these things. Go for it!!!!!! .....Tom

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Guest Toyofast

Alright.... Friday after work update.

 

Checked out the other two cars... one is an '87, red, grey interior, auto, wagon and a less apealing interior... my price $600. Other car is a '90, silver color, 5spd, Loyal wagon, super clean interior and very nice body... my special price $1000. The wife likes the '90 a lot but also likes the '86(the one that I've posted pics of).... she has never been so excited over an automobile before, what's with the Subarus?

 

So a big question.... Say I were to get both the '86 and '90, could I swap in the dual range system(is it a t-case or?) into the '90 with ease? I like the idea of having dual range but don't want to dump too much $$$ into the '86 to get it running right when I could get the '90 and '86 for about the same price as what I might be into just the '86 alone after I get it running.

 

Did that make sense? Ideas, thoughts, plans and suggestions wanted!!

 

I'll have more pictures posted tomorrow after I go drive/check out the '90 a little closer. Any thing special I should look at when checking it out??

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Guest Flowmastered87GL

it would probably be easier to get the 90 and buy a DR tranny off here for $50-100 and then get a matching (probably grey) console. You may have to tinker with the wiring a bit to make the 4WD light, light up when you move the lever. You probably wouldnt have a low range light.

 

Personally I think the 86 would be a better bet. Try to find a good engine, then throw timing belts and maybe a weber carb on it and you have a car good for probably another 10 years. The 90... well I'm sure a problem COULD develop with it. There has to be some reason the is in that back lot right? A cherry 90 would be out in the used lot, not the back lot.

 

If it were me, I would stick with the 86 unless you could go over every aspect of the 90 and make sure its perfect.

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Guest Toyofast

The back lot is our wholesale lot, not for sale to the public... but for employees a deal can be had. Hell, they've got some nice newer rides back there just sitting there waiting to be sold off.

 

I'm going to see if I can't get both for a good deal, but it all depends on what I find out tomorrow.

 

The wife likes both, '90 'cause it's much cleaner and newer and the '86 'cause it seems to have a bit more personality.... I think deep down she likes my projects :)

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Brett, first off welcome to the board, always good to have another "serious grease under the fingernails" type.

 

You sound like you have the moxy to fix either one.

The 86 gets my check mark but the 90 will have fuel injection (SPFI aka throttle body) if that is more to your liking.

 

The symtoms you describe about the running of the 86 could be just tune up parts, fresh gas and a bottle of "engine honey" ("Restore" or the like)

These engines are very stout and unless it has serious "hidden" miles (over 300 kmi) the smoking should stop after a fresh oil change (20w/50 Castrol GTX + 8 oz Marvel Mystry Oil)

The Hitachi carb may need a good cleaning also (a can of "Seafoam" in the gas tank may do it)

I think before doing an engine swap I'd try the simple tune up items and see how she runs.

 

As with others I'd love to have those rims

<img src="http://www.westol.com/neper/sportwagon.jpg"/>

good luck and again welcome aboard

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Guest Toyofast

Well, today we drove the '86 again and the wife didn't like it after all... something about it smoking, vibrations and the fact that the passenger side window didn't go back up all the way<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">

 

She really liked the '90 though... as did I. Took some time to get the '90 started due to a dead battery, though once started it was a sweet sounding engine. Quiet, smooth and could probably give my Toyota a run for it's money in a drag race. It was also EFI'ed which in my book is a good thing.

 

So... what have I decided? Well, we're going to get the '90 instead of the '86. Less inital work needed as the '90 looks, drives and runs like a brand new car. Yeah the '86 would be a fun project but I need a break from true projects for a little while.

 

Here are a few pictures of the '90 that will very soon be in my driveway, probably on Tuesday afternoon:cool:

 

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2722.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2723.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2724.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2725.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

This picture you can see the '86 dual range in the far left background and the red '87 auto kinda next to it:

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2726.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2727.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2728.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2729.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2730.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

<img src="http://www.backwoods4wd.com/members/toyofast/subaru/1990/PICT2731.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

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Guest Flowmastered87GL

Wow, it does look sweet, good choice. I even see upgraded speakers. If you want a full size spare (on a white EA82 wagon wheel) I will sell you one for $10 :D

 

(I'm in Portland area)

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Guest subyaddict

In my opinion, I would buy the '90.

EFI, less miles, keeps the wife happy.

Although I wouldn't hesitate to put a motor in the '86, but I have more faith in the 80's models that the rehash 90's loyale.

I think they (90's) have a track record of electical problems,

plus there is more emissions stuff I beleive, which I don't like in any case.

The transmission in my '83 is out of a loyale.

It shifts much smoother than the older ones.

Must be better syncros or something.

Nathan

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Guest calebz

Get both!

 

its worth it.. pull the motor out of the 86 and rebuild it..you get your project, your wife gets her DD..

 

and when you're all done rebuilding the 86.. and lifting it:evil:

 

you will have beauty and the beast!

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Guest Hondasucks

That smoke from the 86, if it's a white smoke, it is probaly a cracked head or a leaky head gasket, which would make it run rough. I'd get them both, and use the 86 as a "toy". Head gasket is not that hard with a shop manual (about 15 bucks), you could do it in a weekend.

At the least, get those wheels, they are friggin sweet!

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Guest Toyofast

Okay... now you guys are making it hard!

 

The smoke from the '86 isn't white, pic shows a bad image of color. It's pure blue, and the smell of burning oil is present... at a stop light the smell is horrible as is the smoke entering the interior. The engine has about as much power as I would if I were to push it, perhaps only running on 1-2 cylinders. It's not just engine problems, windows don't seem to go up or down other than the driverside, exhuast system needs help, it's carbed(I dislike carbs), more miles, shocks & struts felt weak/worn out and few other minor things that needed to be fixed... the perfect fixer-upper.

 

The '90 runs and drives like a new freakin' car. The engine has 100 times more power than the '86 PLUS it doesn't smoke or make funny smells. Interior like new condition too. Seats feel like new and visualy no wear and tear on the cloth. The body does have a couple quarter/half-doller sized dimples but nothing you'd see when driving by. Plus it already has a decent radio, it works unlike the '86s radio that made static sounds.

 

I guess I'm more intrested in a "turn-key" Subaru.... this will be a more driver friendly car vs. the fun project car. The wife wants to drive it which means it needs to have less crap to deal with, my other projects don't seem to go fast enough for her ;)

 

I'll try to work out a deal to get both... then I guess what ever I don't want/need from either I'll sell off........ BUT we'll just have to see what I'm allowed to bring home! Not sure I can fit much more into the garage as it's filled with my other toys.

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