Body swap?

[Tommio RS]

Hi everybody!

I have a sudo easy easy question for ya.

I want to swap my old rusty body off my 1993 legacy turbo for a nice clean fresh NON rusty body.
My rear sub frame is like puff pastry,gas tank leaks at 7/8 full and rust in all the right locations.....

But here is my sort of pickle here.
I have this list of mods in my car already that i want back in:

Slotted front rotors + hawk pads
SS brake lines
Tribeca front sway bar with cnc links and poly
Kyb GR2 struts with H@R lowering springs
TBE
Power mod button
WRX radio
AEM FIC piggy back ECU

And for my motor now:

EJ22T Stock engine 175000kms
New head gaskets done 1650000kms
New water pump
New thermo
New T-belt
Power steering resealed
Oil pump reseal
And so on for the resealing

Everything thats motor related has been cleaned up

So this is what i am thinking of a good bodies for swaps:

92-94 legacy Turbo AWD MT/AT
92-94 legacy NA AWD MT/AT Wiring harness issues maybe????

I really dont know any diff between NA to Turbo bodies other than panels really. If im missing something between the two tell me!

But ya. If i have to i WILL swap the entire car into another shell! Motor, tranny, rear diff, the complete interior every dam thing!!!!

So in saying that.

I will be hunting for a MINT legacy once winter passes over manitoba.


Thanks every one.

Tommio

[PhyrraM]

The only major thing not on your list is the front crossmember. They are different from Turbo to non-turbo.

A non-turbo shell will need a hole punched into the firewall for the clutch. Those that have done this say it's not hard.

Wiring is only minorly different and will mostly be related to the MAP/Boost control. Those are the only 'new' things to run. Everything else is close enough and can just be re-pinned.

Don't gloss over a clean FWD shell, all the mounting poins are there. And if your really planning to swap 'everything' there will be no extra work.

[Binford]

Don't gloss over a clean FWD shell, all the mounting poins are there. And if your really planning to swap 'everything' there will be no extra work.

The gas tank will be different on a FWD car. If your tank leaks, you would need another replacement........

[Legacy777]

The engine harness and subsequently, the engine chassis harness connectors are different between turbo & non-turbo. Not a huge issue, but something to keep in mind.

You can always move the coolant temp sensor wires from pass side of the engine harness to driver's side and then use the n/a engine harness on the turbo engine.

[Tommio RS]

Hmmm this is all great info!

Im kinda thinking i will just swap my entire engine harness into the donor shell. I really dont care if i have to swap out the dash right out. I have pulled dash boards out of 08-11 impreza and dashes out of 05-09 legy outbacks. So it will still be a bitch seeing that im much MUCH older. If i have to i will swap my interior from my leggy right now because its near perfect.

So a FWD gas tank is different. So it will not work with a AWD power train? Cuz i know a buddy who would take the FWD tranny and mod the CRAP out of it. So i can make a buck or two on that.

My front subframe i think is not too rusty compared to my rear. So thats not an issue thar.

And for the donor car. Im going to make 2 legacy's to drive. One winter beater and summer fun!

The beater will be the crappy ass old turbo shell with some other EJ22 in it.
The summer fun car will be the good shelled donor i find.

One more odd question. Let me paint a picture in your head now

So i swap my shell from a Turbo to a Non turbo.
The under hood plaque will be different aswell as the firewall vin.

Does one swap that stuff or just turn a blink eye to the insurance???

Thanks everyone!

[evolutionmovement]

The FWD gas tank does not have the clearance in the center for the driveshaft and rear end. As for the registration stuff, that's up to you. In the US, and it may vary by state, you're supposed to notify the DMV, but I don't know anyone who does. I would think in either event, that you'd want the VIN on the dash to match the registration just in case a cop decides to hassle you.

[Legacy777]

Well I think the issue with the engine harness is that it's part of the front chassis harness and the plugs are different. In my opinion it's MUCH easier to simply swap the actual engine harness to the turbo engine to match the chassis harness. You have to relocate the coolant temp senders to the driver's side of the harness, but that's pretty easy.

[LegacyW90]

The only major thing not on your list is the front crossmember. They are different from Turbo to non-turbo.

A non-turbo shell will need a hole punched into the firewall for the clutch. Those that have done this say it's not hard.

Wiring is only minorly different and will mostly be related to the MAP/Boost control. Those are the only 'new' things to run. Everything else is close enough and can just be re-pinned.

Don't gloss over a clean FWD shell, all the mounting poins are there. And if your really planning to swap 'everything' there will be no extra work.

Now why would you have to punch a hole in the firewall of a non turbo car for a clutch......my car is N/A and is a manual.....???

[MikeyMeyagi]

you have a cable clutch. turbo is hydraulic

[BoostedSubie]

I have seen 92-94 non turbo Legacys with the hole in the firewall for a hydro clutch, it just has a rubber grommet plugging the hole. Also, the core support is slightly different on the turbo Legacys, the lower radiator support sits lower to accommodate the taller Radiator the turbo Legacy uses.

[MikeyMeyagi]

ive never seen one. only seen the 2nd gen with the hole already there. the turbo wagons even have it dispite the fact they are all autos. all n/a ones ive ever touched didnt have the hole. i had to cut it in my car back in the day

[BoostedSubie]

One of my 93's has the plug there but my 93 wagon does not and I've seen more in our parts yard. I don't know if it depends on whether its a LS or LSi model or what. I just dismantled a 93 LS a week ago that had air suspension and was an auto but had the hole in the firewall too.

[Tommio RS]

Well i cant believe there is actually still posts on this!

Well it took me forever....BUT!!!

Here is my Teaser picture of the car!



I have NEVER SEEN a Subaru this clean for this vintage!!!

Feel free to guess who did own this car.

Yes it was from a board member!