Ok I am a getting ready to upgrade to a newer Subaru. I currently own a 91 LS wagon, this is Subaru number 11. The newest I have owned is a 96 Legacy Outback 2.2, this had a early death because of airbags issues. Anyway I am looking to upgrade to newer 97-99 outback with the 2.5. From the board, talking to my shop, etc. seems like HG issues abound.

 

So I am looking to get one and had a few questions.

 

What can I expect to pay for getting the HG fixed?

Or can I swap in a phase II 2.5 motor as a direct and easy swap?

 

I have been looking around and hope I can find one that has been fixed or that is blown and selling for cheap.

See the links I posted in the following thread.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=69375&highlight=outback

 

Headgasket cost - About $1200 to $1500, depending on what work is all done. (Eg, timing belt, seals, idlers, machine heads, valves, etc.)

 

The phase II is not a direct swap in. I have posted on that as well. It has been done, but there are several issues. I "think" the block could be swapped in, but not totally sure on that.

 

Commuter

See the links I posted in the following thread.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=69375&highlight=outback

 

Headgasket cost - About $1200 to $1500, depending on what work is all done. (Eg, timing belt, seals, idlers, machine heads, valves, etc.)

 

The phase II is not a direct swap in. I have posted on that as well. It has been done, but there are several issues. I "think" the block could be swapped in, but not totally sure on that.

 

Commuter

Thanks.

 

I was going to look at a 2nd generation with the Phase II motors but they seem to have HG issues also and I don't care for the looks of them as much.

 

After talking to a few shops and reading here it seams that once they are fixed with the new designed HG that they are good for life. Is this true?

 

-R

As long as the engine has not been baked, they are pretty much fixed. Where are one or two here that have had multiple HG failures. I suspect those are due to other issues besdie the HG.

 

Also check for torque bind.

 

 

nipper

As long as the engine has not been baked, they are pretty much fixed. Where are one or two here that have had multiple HG failures. I suspect those are due to other issues besdie the HG.

 

Also check for torque bind.

 

 

nipper

 

I only own manuals so won't have that issue.

 

Thanks!

I only own manuals so won't have that issue.

Ummm, you wouldn't have a transfer clutch or C duty solenoid problem, but you might have a viscous coupling one.

I only own manuals so won't have that issue.

 

Thanks!

 

 

no your problem would be worse. With an automatic there are a few things you can do to remedy it, with a manual there is nothing.

This goes for ALL AWD cars, you need to drive in circles to make sure the car doesnt jerk.

 

nipper

no your problem would be worse. With an automatic there are a few things you can do to remedy it, with a manual there is nothing.

This goes for ALL AWD cars, you need to drive in circles to make sure the car doesnt jerk.

 

nipper

Good point, I do this to check the cv joints also.

Was there any other changes between years 97-99?

Any change in brake size, tranny, etc?

Good point, I do this to check the cv joints also.

Was there any other changes between years 97-99?

Any change in brake size, tranny, etc?

 

97-99 are pretty much all the same. There is some torque loss when they went to the SOHC engine, but i forget when that happaned.

 

 

nipper

97-99 are pretty much all the same. There is some torque loss when they went to the SOHC engine, but i forget when that happaned.

 

 

nipper

in the latter part of 99 the auto trans was changed, the trans wiring harness too. these late a/t don't fit in the newer 97 -98 cars and vice versa.

in the latter part of 99 the auto trans was changed, the trans wiring harness too. these late a/t don't fit in the newer 97 -98 cars and vice versa.

 

i jut hate vague mid year changes. i used to laugh at VW vin #'s, and the ability to break down the date the car was made to get the correct part. That may not have been a bad thing.

 

nipper

97-99 are pretty much all the same. There is some torque loss when they went to the SOHC engine, but i forget when that happaned.

 

nipper

 

When the Legacy got the SOHC engine in 2000, the hp stayed the same at 165 and the torque went up a hair from 162 to 166 as I recall (peak values). More importantly, the curves got fatter in the mid range revs by up to 15%, thanks to fewer valve train losses from the SOHC design.

 

They later pushed the hp up a few to 168... then got it over 170 (173?) with the Phase III design with the extra valve lift etc.

 

www.cars101.com would provide the details.

 

The original question was on the 97 to 99 models. As others have posted, the 99 is something of a oddball year. For example, the transmission got a filter. The engine is a bit of a piecmeal deal as they were heading into the switch to the SOHC engine (CCR Inc has mentioned this). All in all, one is usually best off with the last years of a model run, as opposed to the first. Bugs get resolved. Weakness show up and get dealt with. Etc. Subaru made little progressive changes to the Outback from 96 to 99.

 

Commuter

If you don't mind the HP loss, the '95 2.2 is a straight swap for a '97-99?. I paid $1500 for HG repair (incl. head work), resealed the engine (don't forget the tranny sep. plate) to stop other leaks, and new pulleys.

 

Good luck

Or for a little extra money, and without playing Russian Roulette wether you will get HG issues or not (my previous car, a 96 Outback with the 2.5 didn't have any HG issues at 136,000 miles before I traded it in for a newer one), do what I did- I went for a H6.