My Vortex 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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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Sat Jul 08, 2017 7:20 pm

Hi all

just managed to take some photos of the new vortex and I will be working on my black one tomorrow and keep everyone updated.

let me know what you guys think :)

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Johnny T
88kw of fun waiting to happen

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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Sat Jul 08, 2017 8:12 pm

Looks very clean!

The front bar doesn't bother me but I don't know the difference! You'll have to find out if they're a direct swap - if I were a betting man I'd say they are.

Your black interior will look good against that green of the body. Brown interior is so 70's that it should've been left there.

Is the plan to drive this one while you fix up the other one good and proper?

Cheers

Bennie
"The lounge room is not a workshop..."
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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Sat Jul 08, 2017 10:09 pm

Thanks for that Bennie.

The plan is to put all the good bits into the green one from my black vortex (my turbo engine and running gear etc...) get this painted black and finish off the project. Unfortunately I will have to get rid of the original black vortex as I don't have enough cash to do the roof repair but keep as much as I can for spares :)

When the green vortex is fully complete I'll be posting a parts list for sale as I don't need the suspension , disk breaks....

Later on I'm going to save up for a fa20 and go either rwd turbo or super charged and make it a sleeper weekend car :) but for now just doing the big swap and will post more progress tomorrow
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Johnny T
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TOONGA
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Post by TOONGA » Sat Jul 08, 2017 11:42 pm

that is a great score Johnny ... that is the first in tact dash surround I've ever seen look after it as they are rarer that the rear discs

TOONGA
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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Mon Jul 10, 2017 7:51 am

Thanks for the reply guys :)

Well I do have some great new. I managed to get the Black Vortex Started after so many years. My mechanic and I removed all the fuel lines, cleaned them out (using a mini air compressor) and relined every line and then it fired up :)

So now I can start the full converson as soon as my new Garage is completed and going to be posting heaps of updates :)
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Johnny T
88kw of fun waiting to happen

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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:26 am

Hey guys,

I know I have asked this question before, I am looking to put the XT6 hubs on next weekend and wanting to get the coil over this week, just wanted to know what ones to get as I will be going to pedders suspenion. Do I ask them for a set of 95 WRX Coils and I know they are not a direct bolt as you will have to drill new holes for them to fit, would I need anything else besides the Coils?

Thanks again for everyone's help :)
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Johnny T
88kw of fun waiting to happen

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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Wed Jul 12, 2017 11:23 am

Rear end you're probably better off asking for coil overs for a Gen3 liberty as they have a very similar coil/shock setup out back. I've not tried swapping these onto the L series but I know they're a better fit than a McPherson strut for the rear.

Front end it probably doesn't really matter so much as the strut is basically the same. Heights of the spring hat might be different but going coil over that really isn't an issue.

Cheers

Bennie
"The lounge room is not a workshop..."
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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:28 am

Thanks Bennie for the advise again :)

I'll have a chat with the guys this weekend (if nothing else pops up)

just cant wait to start the new project and have a running turbo vortex :)
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Johnny T
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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:57 am

Hi guys

just an update, I am going to start the engine swap soon and when I remove the motor out from the Green Vortex I am looking to sell the it with gear box (this is the non turbo motor and 3sp Auto approx 216,000k's) but not sure if I am asking too much to sell it at 500$ together. Can someone give me some advise if I am asking too much for it?

Thanks again for everyones help
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Johnny T
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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Mon Aug 28, 2017 10:18 pm

Chuck it up on Gumtree at that price and see what you get. $500 gives you room to move and negotiate.

You never know what you'll get. Beware though, you'll probably get some real low ballers trying it on with you.

Cheers

Bennie
"The lounge room is not a workshop..."
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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Tue Aug 29, 2017 7:34 am

Thanks for the advice Bennie.

When everything is out of this car and if its not gone within a week I'll be giving it to the wreckers (only problem of having spares is space lol)
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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Fri Nov 10, 2017 8:27 am

Just a small update.

I have started to do the conversion and now have both cars on stands, removed the wheels and have removed the rear diff and rear axle. Only problem I am having is removing the front hub from the Green Vortex as it is pretty stuck. I have used an impact wrench and a breaker bar with an extension for more torque but still won’t budge (even sprayed the wd40). Is there another way of removing the stubborn hubs because I am tempted of getting a angle grinder and just cutting it off completely lol.

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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Sun Nov 12, 2017 9:18 pm

Looking good mate!

Front hub, are you talking about the 36mm castellated nut? If so I've always cracked these with the tyre on the ground with 3/4 inch drive breaker bar by jumping on the breaker bar.

On stands I've found that trying to crack this nut only results on spinning the hub due to the hand brake not able to hold the torque that's applied.

Cheers

Bennie
"The lounge room is not a workshop..."
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dfoyl
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Post by dfoyl » Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:31 pm

If it's on a stand get your significant other to sit in the car and press hard on the brake pedal. But yes, much easier with a wheel attached and jumping on the breaker bar. Force + speed works best, not just force.
1989 Brumby - Shiny new red paint, stroked EJ20 phase 2 SOHC with Darton sleeves bored to EJ22, Wiseco high-compression pistons, Delta 2000 grind cams , EJ/XT6 5 stud with WRX 4/2 pots, 5-speed, 86 GTS seats and so much more.
Contact me for reproduction XT6 hubs...and EA82 rear discs.

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dfoyl
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Post by dfoyl » Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:34 pm

I'd be interested in the gearbox...can you lmk if still available.
1989 Brumby - Shiny new red paint, stroked EJ20 phase 2 SOHC with Darton sleeves bored to EJ22, Wiseco high-compression pistons, Delta 2000 grind cams , EJ/XT6 5 stud with WRX 4/2 pots, 5-speed, 86 GTS seats and so much more.
Contact me for reproduction XT6 hubs...and EA82 rear discs.

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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:57 am

Just an update

Managed to install the rear diff into the new car but will need to drill new holes for the cross members to fit (not sure if i am calling it the correct part) and installed the rear shocks :)

The next part I will need to do is put the rear brakes, so far I haven’t had any major issues.

I will be removing the air suspension from my black Vortex (looks good super low at the moment when its not bolted to the rear axle). If I'm going to sell the air suspension how much would they be worth and also where is the control box for it or is it in the ECU?

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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Wed Dec 13, 2017 4:45 pm

Looks good low ;)

Dunno what air suspension is worth... I'm sure someone will pick it up - chuck it up on gumtree.

Before you do, I'd be keen to see pics, particularly of the rear shocks ;)

The rear crossmember that you talk about is commonly known as the mustache bar...

Cheers

Bennie
"The lounge room is not a workshop..."
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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Mon Feb 05, 2018 5:51 am

Hi everyone

Just an update. I have tried to install the rear breaks from the XT6 and came across a bit of a problem with connecting the break caliper to the backing plate. The issue I have is that the backing plate from the XT4 is to small for the XT6 Caliper on as the backing plate bolt holes for the calipers are 15mm too small. Is there anywhere I can get a set of XT6 backing plates sent over to Australia or would another backing plate from an older impreza fit? Worst case I will have to find a fabricator and get it custom adjusted.

The other issue I have that I will be removing the engine from my black Vortex and trying to find in the service manuals on the instructions on what I need to do. I have opened "1988 Service Manual Section 2 & 3" Section 2.11 and not getting much help as the note for engine removal only states the removal for the er27 engine and not the ea82, would the steps still be the same as the XT6 Engine? Also can anyone direct me on to what page in the service booklet I need to look up so I can get the engine and gearbox out correctly?

Thanks again everyone for all the advice
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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:26 am

Can't quote page references but the EA82 removal will be about the same as the ER27, except for the small differences with the turbo stuff.

Gearbox procedure should be the same.

As for rear backing plates, you can use the EJ gear but may have to drill a new hole for the single rear bolt. The EJ has 4 bolts in a square pattern.

Cheers

Bennie
"The lounge room is not a workshop..."
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Johnny T
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Post by Johnny T » Mon Feb 05, 2018 2:17 pm

Thanks Bennie

would any EJ plates work?
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Johnny T
88kw of fun waiting to happen

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