88 WRX Touring Wagon Project

Show off your Subaru to other members. Tell us a bit about it. What mods you have done or have planned for the near future.
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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:13 pm

Ok, I'm after some serious offers to offload some gear that's no longer going to be used for this project.

Also happy to take some part exchange, as I'm chasing some bits to get back to standard.
  • Complete RX turbo sedan interior. Driver's seat needs some attention.
  • Complete US spec 3 door ground effects kit (ie skirt kit). Will fit straight onto a sedan, but rear pieces need work to fit to a wagon. Guaranteed to be the only one in Oz.
  • Import spec turbo cluster (volts & oil pressure). For extra, I can finish modifying it with the 240km/h version I got out of a Vortex.
  • the WRX engine & stripped wiring loom
  • I have some spare doors & tailgate from DL model
I can post up pics

I need:
  • blue interior out of a late model Touring Wagon (door trims & seats are minimum)
  • Carbied engine (post 88 model & not too many k's, sub 200 000)
  • pair of post 86 front doors in white
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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BlackMale
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Post by BlackMale » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:35 pm

wagonist wrote:Ok, the project is now become defunct.:???:
Too many other things on & a better car now resides in the garage.:mrgreen:
Dam man this is the first time i have seen this update on your thread a(the joys of being busy again i suppose) sorry to hear about the defunctness - Care to tell us what's in the garage now?

wagonist wrote:I'm searching for a touring wagon interior in preferably blue (where I'll just need seats & door trims), or a complete interior otherwise.
I should be able to help you with the complete interior (just name it i have it ALL) in good condition and in blue.

Actually (just edited) I have just been out to the garage and also have both of these items
wagonist wrote:Carbied engine (post 88 model & not too many k's, sub 200 000) and
[*]pair of post 86 front doors in white
You due back in Perth again anytime soon?! :-D
(I am not expected in Sydeny for a while)

I know the trouble you when to with this and could be interested in it.
wagonist wrote:Complete US spec 3 door ground effects kit (ie skirt kit). Will fit straight onto a sedan, but rear pieces need work to fit to a wagon. Guaranteed to be the only one in Oz.
If you want to PM /e-mail me some picture and a price and i'll see what my budget can handle.
Toyota 105 Series LandCruiser (that nobody on here wants to really hear about).
RX Touring Wagon - fitted out for 4WDing (currently collecting dust).
RX Project - will be road only at this stage (and currently taking way to long to finish).

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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:43 pm

Image Image Image
Rear skirts Grill front & side skirts

Image
US wagon with kit fitted
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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Xtreme_RX
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Post by Xtreme_RX » Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:16 am

What sort of $ are you looking for the body kit?
SubiParts Australia - Australia's BIGGEST Aftermarket Subaru Parts Specialist
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BlackBox Motorsports - Subaru Suspension Systems
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'L' Series Touring Wagon - EJ22 & 4.111 AWD
Gen 1 Liberty GX – Worked EJ22 & 4.11 AWD

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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Sat Jan 24, 2009 9:49 pm

The kit owes me $900 (shipping it from the US was a major killer because the side skirts made it oversize:rolleyes::mad:).
It does also include the special undertray & rad support that the front air dam bolts upto.
I do have another front dam that has been damaged, but nothing that a little plastic welding wouldn't fix.
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:44 am

Time for an update, because things have actually happened on the car:eek:

After buying the Toyota, which is faster (though heavier), newer, better equipped, safer, I decided not to continue with the WRX conversion because I really couldn't get it the way I wanted.

Now I've sourced a complete EFI loom & mated that to a Vortex EA82 EFI NA motor, with a manual box & running gear, etc from an 89 DL.

As the motor was from a Vortex, this meant changing a few things on the motor, ie power steer pump & bracket (meaning the inlet manifold needed to come off:rolleyes::???:), and the pulleys on the front of the motor.
I also found out the Vortex water pump pulley in a different offset & I wrecked the L pulley trying to relocate this on the shaft (it still hasn't budged, any ideas:confused:)

The RX turbo sedan interior is off at the trimmers getting redone to suit the wagon & give it a freshen up (vinyl spilt everywhere), & I'm trying to get it running so that it can go off to the painters to get the body finished.

Attached is a pic of where the car stands now.

What its future will be, I don't know. I'm killing my Toyota by doing 40 000km/year in it (lucky it's an import with low k's to start with), but mechanically it may need less looking after.

If someone comes along with the right money, I may sell this project as it's basically a new car with nothing on it having done over 160 000km, plus a lot of TLC, which is pretty good for a 21 year car.

I am trying to get hold of my old full time 4wd dual range, centre diff lock equipped box, but I'm not holding my breath (plus I think I'll need to change the rear diff ratio to suit).
Attachments
Picture 068.jpg
Picture 068.jpg (110.17 KiB) Viewed 6207 times
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:33 pm

More updates:
got the re-trimmed RX turbo interior back

Front seats re-done
rear seat retrimmed to suit the wagon cushion
new cargo area carpet
hoodlining retrimmed

And just to make you really jealous
Factory Subaru Touring Wagon rear spoiler

Engine has received a new water pump (to suit the double V belts instead of the multi V pulleys)
New timing belts on this weekend & then the front end can be completely reassembled.

I picked up an aluminium roo bar, but I'm having trouble with the brackets that go onto the bar. Any advice?
Attachments
Picture 075.jpg
Picture 075.jpg (89.98 KiB) Viewed 6200 times
Picture 074.jpg
Picture 074.jpg (106.93 KiB) Viewed 6203 times
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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sven '2'
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Post by sven '2' » Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:13 am

wagonist wrote:More updates:

And just to make you really jealous
Factory Subaru Touring Wagon rear spoiler
ohhhh baby!

When I owned wagons I would have given just about anytrhing for one of these...

Good to see the project is back on track

Goodluck

Sven
73 Yamaha DT3 250

08 Ford BF wagon - LPG FTMFW

14 Toyota Kluger - goodness!

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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Sun Dec 20, 2009 6:38 pm

Not quite on the full conversion now, but I may still do a 5 stud conversion.

This car's become more about the looks.

I'm looking at re-doing the instrument cluster & switches in a matching colour to the exterior (ie yellow) with some stickers, but I need to figure out how the light will get through.
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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Fang
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Post by Fang » Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:18 am

Was it only the Touring Wagons that the spoiler came out on - do you know? Would love to see some interior shots of the cluster, etc. Looking good!
Image

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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:18 am

Unsure about the spoiler. It's the only one I've ever seen.

Apart from hooking up the fuel pump, adding coolant, changing the oil & changing over the early dizzy over to the later one, this baby is ready to start.

I haven't reinstalled the interior yet because I'd like to get the door opening all painted before that gets reinstalled, but it does look good.

Just need to get some carpet, and figure out how to colour blend the rear wagon trim to the black front sedan trim.

I'll post up a pic of the sample cluster later (it's on the home computer), but the aim is to have black gauges with a yellow face. At night, the yellow will be backlit instead of the symbols.
Bit of work to get to this point though, as the cluster needed to be fully disassembled, including removing the gauges, & then sanding back the printing on the face until back to the plastic.

I've done up something similar with the buttons on either side of the wheel, as I have a full complement of switches (cruise, front fog, rear fog(for spotlights), headlight washers, rear cigarette lighter outlet), but you can't buy them anymore
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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phillatdarwin
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Post by phillatdarwin » Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:57 pm

i like the wheels u have on it as are the same as my rx

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guyph_01
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Post by guyph_01 » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:55 pm

WOW love the spoiler, Where did you get that it from????(very jealous)
It looks great, i want one:)
Would love some more pics to, When i get back in perth i want to try and get my cluster lights become elec blue an do the same with the dash etc.
The project, EJ22 --->>> EJ25 Quad CAM:D touring wagon
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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:26 pm

That spoiler's been sitting at a wrecker in Adelaide for like the last 5 years.
I just didn't think it was worth the purchase price at the time (the price of the full skirt kit from the US cost less, but shipping was a different matter...)

Not sure if the wheels are going to suit after the full kit is on & the car is lowered. I'm still considering a 5 stud conversion.
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:50 pm

That spoiler's been sitting at a wrecker in Adelaide for like the last 5 years.
I just didn't think it was worth the purchase price at the time (the price of the full skirt kit from the US cost less, but shipping was a different matter...)

Not sure if the wheels are going to suit after the full kit is on & the car is lowered. I'm still considering a 5 stud conversion.
Attachments
cluster yellow-Model.jpg
cluster yellow-Model.jpg (53.24 KiB) Viewed 6147 times
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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BlackMale
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Post by BlackMale » Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:26 am

WOW now there is a blast from the past. Good to hear that project is on the move again - she's looking good. Oh and i am envious about that read spoiler = very nice find.
Toyota 105 Series LandCruiser (that nobody on here wants to really hear about).
RX Touring Wagon - fitted out for 4WDing (currently collecting dust).
RX Project - will be road only at this stage (and currently taking way to long to finish).

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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Tue Sep 21, 2010 9:04 am

Ok, a tiny bit of progress (in my opinion anyway).

Managed to get some bits back from my old project, mainly the Genuine Subaru black RX steering wheel with the cruise control buttons

Also have plans to get a "spider manifold" type EA82T (which has a 2nd throttle cable for the cruise built in)
& a fulltime 4wd gearbox with diff lock. Whether to go dual range or single range is the problem at the moment. With single range, I need to find another centre console cover (which will need painting to match the black interior)
Rear disc brakes are also on the cards, which means I also have to swap back in the sway bar rear end.

All of the door openings have now been painted, and the body panels prepped so they are straight.

I need to made up a new vertical bar for the radiator support so that I can fit the Liberty water-air intercooler in the nose.

Had some vague thoughts able fitting a spare wheel carrier on the rear bumper, because it won't fit in the engine bay anymore (especially as I'd shortened it in the previous incarnation). But I want to use the original bar skin...
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:01 pm

8 years on Wagonist, how's the build (still?) going?

I'm hoping you've managed to chip away at it or put it into hibernation at the very least!

Cheers

Bennie
"The lounge room is not a workshop..."
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wagonist
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Post by wagonist » Mon Jun 04, 2018 12:35 pm

haha. I actually bought the shell back in 04, so it's now 14 years... It sits in my carport out of the weather.

WRX running gear is gone. Swapped it with a mate for a spider manifold EA82. He's been trying to sell it as the project he was going to use it for got sold. So now he's been trying to sell that stuff with no luck.
It might end up back in the car yet.

I bought an import GT/ii turbo touring wagon which has the 4EAT. Was originally going to use it as parts, but it's managed to clean up & I've been trying to get it on the road.
It needs paint & panel work though, the shell just needs paint.
Been toying up swapping everything from the import into this shell and turning the import into an off roader, but will that ruin it?

I know of another GT/ii that has been twin turbo EJ converted and is for sale, but no one wants it...
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car:confused::???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon

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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:02 pm

wagonist wrote:haha. I actually bought the shell back in 04, so it's now 14 years... It sits in my carport out of the weather.
In my book that's not a bad thing. I've got a Torana in the same boat, long term view on that project.
wagonist wrote:WRX running gear is gone. Swapped it with a mate for a spider manifold EA82. He's been trying to sell it as the project he was going to use it for got sold. So now he's been trying to sell that stuff with no luck.
It might end up back in the car yet.
Yeah I read about the WRX gear (refresher sesh last night!). It'd be funny if it comes back around like that.
wagonist wrote:I bought an import GT/ii turbo touring wagon which has the 4EAT. Was originally going to use it as parts, but it's managed to clean up & I've been trying to get it on the road.
It needs paint & panel work though, the shell just needs paint.
Ohh, nice. Painting, something I've not got into... yet.

wagonist wrote:Been toying up swapping everything from the import into this shell and turning the import into an off roader, but will that ruin it?
Well it really depends - how much value do you see in the import's equipment it's fitted with? Will this unit be appreciated over a locally delivered L and thus have a higher value?

Or are we in that late 70's/early to mid 80's where no one wanted a Holden or Ford from the 50's or 60's? Then 15ish years down the track BOOM! Market for these models explodes.

Who knows. If your gut says you'll regret offroading the import, don't to it.

Currently there's an L near Newcastle (IIRC) for $1G ono - lift, tyres, bullbar and rear clutch pack LSD. I want it for the rear LSD and that price makes it very appealing. But the distance and my lack of the good stuff is the reason why I can't (and shouldn't) do anything about it... But for someone closer half the work is done for an L offroader. It's an early touring wagon from memory.
wagonist wrote:I know of another GT/ii that has been twin turbo EJ converted and is for sale, but no one wants it...
And that's the other issue with modifying the import - resale seems to be a bitch on converted vehicles. I've seen a number of "WRX'd" Libertys for sale, they run well etc - and their sale price/value isn't significantly more than a factory NA. Plus you don't know what gremlins you may be buying either.

But that GT2 is very cool :D

Cheers

Bennie
"The lounge room is not a workshop..."
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El Freddo's Pics - El_Freddo's youtube

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