I want to convert my 95 FWD 1.8L Auto Impreza into an AWD Manual 2.5. Should I try, or is it going to be too expensive and I should just buy a damn 2.5 RS?:confused:

i turbocharged mine, but 15psi messed somthing up, i think its just a head gasket, so im pulling the motor and if the heads are still good im putting them on a 2.2, and manual tranny out of a legacy in my car and boosting that as well.

the only promblem that i can see of the swap is my gas tank fills the spot of where the rear diff would sit, so you might have to swap gas tanks to make room for the rear end.
im in the process of finding out if the the 1.8 wiring harness will plug into the crank position sensor, if it does, im gonna use my stock wiring harness and use my original intake manifold so i dont have to change any wiring harness'.

auto trannys slow you down so much, waiting for the shift.
A lot of people like the 2.5 and a lot of people dont, i myself am not very fond of that engine, people seem to have so many problems with them all the time, but ive been impressed by some of them also. but all in all i dont really like them, im building a 2.2 myself to put in my car and i want to make it rear wheel drive eventually.

Thanks for the insight.

If you can, i recommend you to get 2.5RS

i did 94 FWD 1.8 to AWD EJ20 turbo.
It was a lot of work and time consuming.
in the process, I changed the damn drum brakes to disc brakes but I still can't find the bigger master cylinder for non-ABS. (most of the cars with disc comes with ABS)
You'll end up fighting with little things like this.

I think it worth only if you swap EJ20, and if you have a lot of time (years) for the project

Your probably right, I should just buy a 2.5RS.

It sounds like I wouldn't save that much money, and the pain in the ass that I'd have to go through would not make the money I'd save worth it.

Thanks,

George

if you can aford the 2.5rs then get that. But just remember that after your payment will you have enough for the fun stuff.

I would just stick with your car and build from there. If your not autocrossing you dont need the awd. And as for your 4wheel disks use the breaks off of an old 2wd legacy. I got the entire rear crossmember, suspention, and breaks for $300 from the local junkyard.
Its just a whole more fun when you build the car.

i agree there is alittle more love put into a built car than just buying....however i am in the same boat...i have put alot of time and money into my 95 L...converted to body over...hood,spoiler,full body kit.......interior.....yet i am still at the point where i almost think it would be worth buying one....except they are hard to find...not cheap...and not something you can be proud of when your done...

Hey I have a question. I just want to put an EJ20 in place of my EJ18 engine, but I want to keep it FWD not AWD, will I run into a bunch of problems? I know I'll need to switch out the tranny, catalytic converter and exhaust. Has anyone done this yet?

i talked to the subaru mechanic in winter park, fl and he wanted to sell me a WRX tranny for cheap, i asked him and he said it would bolt right up to my 1.8, so i dont see why you would have to change your stock tranny.