cleaning

[Gravija]

what should i use to clean under the hood?
i haven't cleaned the hood since 92 when we got the legacy, so there's a fair amount of buildup of grime and stuff

also, what is best for cleaning those little holes in the alloy rims on the N/A sedan?

two misc questions:
will any CD player/changer i buy from like Circuit City/Best Buy fit into the dash? (they look alot smaller than the stock radio/tape)
also, is it worth it to modify a AT/FWD sedan to AWD/5mt+turbo?
thanks

[mTk]

two misc questions:
will any CD player/changer i buy from like Circuit City/Best Buy fit into the dash? (they look alot smaller than the stock radio/tape)
also, is it worth it to modify a AT/FWD sedan to AWD/5mt+turbo?
thanks

1) yes, as long as it's 1-1.5 DIN it will fit, you'll need a wire harness adapter.

2)I did this swap. My car used to be na/fwd/4eat. For me.. it was worth it. Much more fulfilling than just buying another car.

MK

[Gravija]

how much did the swap overall cost?
how hard is it to find the parts to replace?
is there a person/place in the SF bay area that will either help or do the swap?

thanks

and is just wiping down with a rag on the inside ok?

[THAWA]

I'd say the cheapest way to do the swap would be buy a salvaged car or something with all the stuff you need, that way you not only have everything, you also get it for fairly cheap.

If I were closer I'd help though I'm only like 90-100 miles away

[eastbaysubaru]

I'm local, but don't have first hand knowledge or know how to do a full on swap. I'd love to help with turning a wrench or two on the project if it gets that far

-Brian

[Brat4by4]

buy a bottle of heavy duty degreaser and go to town. cover important electrical stuff (like i don't know, like say your coil-packs??) before you LIGHTLY spray down the engine bay. Don't worry, this is the same thing that happens when you drive in the rain. just be careful where you spray and don't drench anything.

[LaureltheQueen]

I was going to convert my L to a turbo setup, and even keep my stock 4eat for a while, til it died, before doing the 5mt swap. what I realized, after adding up prices, that in addition to the $550 engine, I'd also have to buy all sorts of extras that added up to just over $1000, like spark plugs, and wires, a new alternator, injectors, fuel pump, engine mounts, exhaust piping, also an intercooler, and my L wagon had at least minor damage to every panel except 1 door. The interior was poop, and I was rollin on steelies. It was more cost effective for me, to sell the partywagon for $1000, buy a touring wagon in good condition, and transfer my deck and spring/strut setup over to the new car. I got the touring wagon for $3200, within the first week had my deck, seats, and suspension on, and even though I'm still $1000 in debt on it, there's no way i'd look back, even though I'm still running a 4eat. Now both cars have the awdrivetrain, which would probably add another $500 in parts, plus a new transmission, and all of this is without the cost of any kind of labor(i've got friends) and I had a car that I could borrow for the month or so that the partywagon woulda been out of commission. Just a thing to think about, it would probably make more sense(in my opinion) to get another car, unless you have SERIOUS emotional attachment to the car, or want the experience in it.

My thoughts on the issue.... Take a 13 year old car(worth $1000), that's falling apart and needs over 2 grand in bodywork and interior stuff, dump close to $2000 on the engine, and still have a car that's worth maybe $1500. I wasnt very attached to the color of the car, so... i just got another one(i still miss ruby though) I dont expect to sell the touring wagon anytime soon, and anything that i'd put onto it would be transferrable to almost any other subaru, which would most likely be my next car.