Project free subie
Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:44 am
So, a gentleman on the grassroots forum posted up that he needed to get rid of a 2002 Subaru impreza TS wagon. Landlord wanted it out of the parking spot. He stated that it ran and drove and stopped, but the engine is bad(rod knock). It was in Manchester NH. The best part was that it was free. He didn't want a darn thing, and it took a lot of arm twisting to give him some beer and maple donuts. He said his dad gave him the car for $1 two years ago, and didn't think he should make anything off of it as long as an enthusiast could put it to use.
222,000 miles on it.
My expectations were pretty low. I figured if I could get the rear bumper off of it, and a few wiring harness bits, then it was probably worth the $100 I spent on gas/beer/donuts to get the thing.
As it turns out it has less rust on the body than our wrx wagon of the same age and less mileage. I've yet to get under it to check for undercarriage rust.
He sent me on my way with a trunk load of spares too. Car drove on to the trailer as easy as can be, but you could hear the rods a knockin'.
So I'm in a bit of quandary. It really only needs a junkyard Ej251, and it would be ready for the road. Inspectable without a guilty conscious. Sort of seems like a waste to part it out.
I think Larson suggested putting the motor from scrappy in it, and drive it, and move the motor from the wrx into scrappy. I like that idea, not sure I can sell that one to Rhonda. I keep telling myself that a N/A motor is a better fit for my budget hillclimbing, as it is reliable, and the lack of power means the 5 speed gear box should hold up longer. However who doesn't want a faster car?
Rhonda suggested transferring everything from the wrx into this wagon if the underside of the thing is as clean as the body. That idea intrigues me a little. Not sure if it is worth the effort or not.
I could find a junkyard ej251, drop it in and drive it. If the body is as good as I think it is, might be worth a cage. However the wagons are heavier and the weight is in the wrong place. No Larson I won't turn it into El Subinino either. Could be a rallyx beater/back up hillclimber.
Or I can just part the thing out which was my original intention.
222,000 miles on it.
My expectations were pretty low. I figured if I could get the rear bumper off of it, and a few wiring harness bits, then it was probably worth the $100 I spent on gas/beer/donuts to get the thing.
As it turns out it has less rust on the body than our wrx wagon of the same age and less mileage. I've yet to get under it to check for undercarriage rust.
He sent me on my way with a trunk load of spares too. Car drove on to the trailer as easy as can be, but you could hear the rods a knockin'.
So I'm in a bit of quandary. It really only needs a junkyard Ej251, and it would be ready for the road. Inspectable without a guilty conscious. Sort of seems like a waste to part it out.
I think Larson suggested putting the motor from scrappy in it, and drive it, and move the motor from the wrx into scrappy. I like that idea, not sure I can sell that one to Rhonda. I keep telling myself that a N/A motor is a better fit for my budget hillclimbing, as it is reliable, and the lack of power means the 5 speed gear box should hold up longer. However who doesn't want a faster car?
Rhonda suggested transferring everything from the wrx into this wagon if the underside of the thing is as clean as the body. That idea intrigues me a little. Not sure if it is worth the effort or not.
I could find a junkyard ej251, drop it in and drive it. If the body is as good as I think it is, might be worth a cage. However the wagons are heavier and the weight is in the wrong place. No Larson I won't turn it into El Subinino either. Could be a rallyx beater/back up hillclimber.
Or I can just part the thing out which was my original intention.