97 RX Liberty - WRX Conversion

priorpeter · Post by **priorpeter** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:04 pm

Hey folks,

First time posting here, had a bit of a look around so sorry if something like this has been covered elsewhere & I've missed it. Running a 97 RX Liberty, however the big end bearing is gone. Toying with the idea of a WRX conversion for it. Speaking to a bloke at Cardiff Automotive it seems that I can get my hands on an EJ20T for $2.5 - $3k... However he couldn't give me any indication as to what he thinks I'd be looking at for labour.
Any ideas? Would it be worth my while?

Alternatively, if you guys have any other ideas then feel free to let me know. I'm not _heaps_ clued up on this stuff so any/all input is greatly appreciated - even if it's just being told it's a stupid idea and I'm a muppet

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:55 pm

Join RSLC, it's been done a hundred times on there & you'll get all the info you need, everything bolts straight in, it's the wiring that's the problem, most guys send both harnesses to AMautomotives to get them married together, labour will be around the 4-5 thousand mark at an absolute minimum, speak to Al at AM as he's done probably twenty & supplies everything drive in drive out, usually works out cheaper to send your car to Noosa & get him to do it all.

Or really your best bet price wise it to get a 97/8 GTB Legacy manual, that way everything is just a straight swap, just means you have to put up with the twin turbo motor but they have the STI box, bigger brakes & slightly stronger motor.

priorpeter · Post by **priorpeter** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:52 pm

Cheers dude, from the sounds of it the Legacy may be the way to go then. Trying to track down a decent front cut... Guessing labour would be a hell of a lot less for the Legacy vs WRX?

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:29 pm

There is a gen3 Twin Turbo manual halfcut on eBay that keeps
being relisted on eBay for $1299.

I so wanted to buy it for my vortex but
it got smooshed.

Good luck mate

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:09 am

Yeah, you could do it in a weekend with a couple of mechanically minded mates but it must be a gen 2 and a GTB not the earlier weaker GT as you'll need to swap a lot of the dash over like gauges & climate control.

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 11:26 am

priorpeter wrote:Cheers dude, from the sounds of it the Legacy may be the way to go then. Trying to track down a decent front cut... Guessing labour would be a hell of a lot less for the Legacy vs WRX?

I wouldn't be splitting hairs here - engine swaps of this nature are always costly...and that is before something goes wrong.

+ for Al at AM - he has a website, price up in your head hassle v cost

priorpeter · Post by **priorpeter** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:10 pm

Awesome, thanks for your help folks. I've managed to find a half cut gen 2 legacy GTB for $1800 so I'm thinking I might go down this route. Got a couple of guys who are willing to help me out so hopefully it will all work out.
Other than what comes in the front cut, would this sort of conversion typically require anything else ie rear diff etc?

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:10 pm

I hope it's a manual, if it is you'll need matching 4.44 rear diff and of your car was an auto you'll need a manual tail shaft, probably be up for some exhaust too.