I currently own a 1992 Subaru Loyale wagon and am thinking about purchasing a 1987 Subaru GL wagon. Would replacement parts match up between the cars? The bodys and inside look basically identical. Taking it for a test drive later today.

All the parts should interchange...engines and everything...the only diff would be the intake on the engine (Carb, SPFI, MPFI) and the pistons. Anyone know of any other differences?

There's going to be various differences in the engine electrical and control systems, as well as the fuel system.

 

Body wise, 100% identical on the outside except for the trim (which can be changed), interior wise, the GL uses better fabrics but everything is compatible and can be swapped out. All the light lenses and glass are the same.

 

The suspension and 4WD components are identical, provided the cars are similarly equipped (both 4WD, both manual or auto, both wagons, etc.).

 

4x4 manual trans GL's came with a dual range (high/low range) transmission that is loads better for offroad/snow performance than the Loyale's. Very easy to convert the Loyale, details are all over this board. The automatics will be identical, provided they're both 3 speeds.

 

You can even use the GL's carbed engine in the Loyale if need be, but you'll have to swap over pretty much everything but the block, heads, oil pan, and timing components. But if you end up needing an engine, it can be done.

 

So yes, a GL makes a great parts car for a Loyale... and personally I'd swap in all the GL's goodies into the Loyale, while being mechanically almost the same, the GL's are much more comfortable cars.

If it's a 87 GL, it's probably a SPFI motor.

 

I've swapped many parts between GLs and Loyales, and most of it is a direct fit.

4WD 1987 models still had a carb engine, with some 87.5's getting the SPFI. 2WD models had the SPFI in 87 though.

My 87 4wd wgn was a spfi

My 87 4wd wgn was a spfi

 

So was my first one, it was "technically" an 87.5 model. My second 87 wagon, though, was carb.

You're basically stuck with some of the interior parts--the plastic wagon cargo surrounds out of the '87 will work with the Loyale but not the upper anchors because of the safety belts; the rear cargo lights are not compatible with each other ;-), intake, possibly tranny...but all the body panels and most of the interior will swap. The only real problem areas will be electrical stuff, where the Loyale has (or is missing) stuff your GL didn't have, like the electric seatbelt setup.

My 87 4wd wgn was a spfi

 

I thought that California ones had the SPFI in '87, and rest of N.A. had carbed. My '87 GL 4wd was originally sold in CA, and had SPFI. I dropped in a motor from a '91 Loyale and it was almost indentical.