Does anyone know if this is possible?
Convert a 2003 Legacy L model with a 5 speed to a GT (limited slip rear diff) ?
Has anyone do this?
What's involved? Is it mechanical system?
Has anyone drive an L model and can compare it to a GT?

FYI: the cost of a new L-Special Edition=$21750 vs new GT=$62250

If the cost of the conversion is less than a new GT.....

I have a rear LSD with axles for sales for $600. Thats all you need to convert your non-GT Legacy to a GT spec. I am pretty sure the parts that I have (from WRX) will work.

I can check, since I also have a GT. ;)

- Alex

One thing though. Check the gear ratio in the rear diff and make sure it matches the front gear ratio. If not, the you will have to change one or the other. If you do not, your car will skip all over the place and you would destroy your transfer case.

I hear you there. The GT also has larger brakes, a sports tuned suspension, sportier gearing for high reving fun. We could not comprimise either. Bigger brakes and the limited slip are crutial components. But why not buy a 2002 GT? We got two of them a few months ago for under the price of a 2003 L. You will have to look one up on Subaru.com and drive far, or have it delivered to your Dealer as we did. It is well worth the savings and you will have much better mechanical features. The L Special Edition might look like a GT, but mechnically it is a wimp compared to the GT.

Just my 2 Cents,
Heather

Thank you all for your responses.
Heather, I wish I knew how you purchase your 2002 GT. Do you live in Norhtern CA?

I just (yesterday) placed a deposit on a 2003 GT. It was more than I wanted to spend....but I'm getting the main features I wanted.

Hopefully, I'll receive it this coming week... :)
They sure don't make too many GT's tho.

With regards to the L conversion to the GT, I guess there are just too many things to "convert" therfore not cost effective.

Hello, Yes we live in N. CA. Chico. I bought mine in May and he bought his in September. I got mine delivered to my Dealer in Chico from Tahoe and he had to drive to Reno NV to get his (A really fun drive up highway 70 though!) We both had to have manual wagons, so those were the only two left. I got the color I wanted, Titanium and he got the color he wanted, Silver. We both installed larger rear swaybars and better tires and are both very happy with our 2002 GTs. Both were below invoice, but his was a much better deal since we had to go to Nevada to get it. I agree, the features in the GT are not worth comprimising at any cost. When I did a search for 2002 GT's back in September I found a lot in sedans and manual, but only those two in wagons. I know they are still out there since my Dealer in Chico has a 2002 GT Sedan in Titanium.
Heather

I did not think they made a 2002 GT wagon with a 5 speed? I work at a dealer and have never seen one.

As for the suspension, there is no difference between the L and the GT. They have the same part #'s. The gearing is different though.

00-02 GT wagons had 5-speed transmission as standard equipment but the majority of GTs sold seem to have been automatics. 03 GTs are available with a 5-speed or the sportshift autobox.

Since 2000, a GT wagon 5 speed is not even available here.

Originally posted by cardin555
I did not think they made a 2002 GT wagon with a 5 speed? I work at a dealer and have never seen one.


You must not have been at the Dealer long because 5 speed is standard equipment. If you search for one, I am sure you will find one. Automatics are no darn fun! A 5-speed is a must have no comprimise feature.

Heather

Been with the dealer almost seven years. There are sometimes small differences in what the USA gets and what Canada (where I am) gets.

I got my 02 GT Limited Sedan 5spd a month ago in NorCal (Bay Area) for $20k out the door.

Well, everyone has thier own oppinions...

Yeah, the GT is mostly luxury stuff - it is easier to make a better car by yourself.

I bought a Brighton, saved about 9K over what the dealer was selling the GT for, and got a 5 speed to boot!

My car is faster than a GT because it is lighter. It also handles much better after a few easy mods.

I don't know why people make a big deal over the rear LSD. This car is basically a front wheel drive car, with some rear torque to ballance things out. The LSD does not make much difference. The only time I miss it is when hill climbing off road. I have never seen someone take a GT, with all of that plastic rocker pannel stuff and do the kind of 4 wheeling I am talking about. An LSD is nice, but I only miss it when driving RWD cars.

As for the brakes, they are not very big on the GT. I do not know why they did not put bigger brakes on like they did the outback. A little known fact is that only the automatic cars had the smaller brakes. At least my model year (2000), the 5speed had the same brakes as the GT model.

The gearing is an interesting argument. You can easily change this gearing yourself by putting 50 series tires on instead of 55 series tires. You will get better handling, and quicker acceleration. I have done this, but honestly I only notice the handling difference. The car accelerates pretty much the same. I guess a GT needs lower gearing because of the extra weight it has over my car (200+ lbs).

GT's do not handle that well. Not good enough for me. I fixed this problem on my car by
1) using lighter and wider wheels from an RS (and good rubber!)
2) using a bigger rear sway bar (22mm)
3) using the whiteline anti-lift kit.

None of these by themselves are enough for me, but all three of them together make for a very nice handling car. I can steer with the throttle, hold a nice 4 wheel drift, and power out of turns very nicely now. A GT can not do any of these to my satisfaction.

If I had bought a GT, I would have done all of these things anyway. For my condition, it did not make any sense to by a GT, take all of the performance parts off of the car that made it a GT, and replace them with my own. Since the factory will not sell us a good handling car , I just got a plain car and made it the way I wanted it.

I had my heart set on a nice GT, but after driving several of them, it just was not enough for me.