To swap or not to swap?
01-22-2004, 01:52 PM
#1
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To swap or not to swap?
Well I always loved the idea of awd but I had been cursed by a lack of money. Ever since I heard about wrx's i loved them, but sadly can not afford one. Recently I have begun looking again hoping to find something to replace my tired honda prelude. I have found a 96 impreza brighton for 3300. I'm sure I could talk the price down but the question is do I wait and save for a wrx or 2.5rs, or do I buy it. Its has the awd drive and it is stick, but its a 1.8. I want more power. First is it possible to swap in a 2.5rs, wrx, or any other more powerful motor in. Second is it worth the money? Would performance upgrades for a 2.5rs bolt right in? Well my fate is in your hands.
01-22-2004, 04:15 PM
#2
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: milwaukee
Posts: 59
Car Info: '97 imp L
if you want to do it on the cheap, try for a '97 and up 2.2litre. it'll give you some more pep (not much 
), while waiting for that motor swap. the 2.5 and wrx motors bolt right in for the most part. the wrx needs the subframe and wire harness. but the 2.5 wil bolt right in, and you'll be able to use the standard wire harness (i think!, someone correct me if im wrong plz!)
), while waiting for that motor swap. the 2.5 and wrx motors bolt right in for the most part. the wrx needs the subframe and wire harness. but the 2.5 wil bolt right in, and you'll be able to use the standard wire harness (i think!, someone correct me if im wrong plz!)
01-22-2004, 08:06 PM
#3
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: my home is Portland but I'm @ School in Seattle
Posts: 2,801
Car Info: 1998 Subaru Legacy L 5-speed
I think hes right but I would say if your gonna bother with a swap, go all the way and get the EJ20 (wrx motor) with some suspension and brake upgrades that'd be one sick whip.
01-22-2004, 09:10 PM
#4
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Location: Reno, NV
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Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Any Impreza you buy will accept any EJ series motor from the 2.2 NA to the EJ25 from the STi. The only downside to the Brightons is the little bit of extra weight they carry and the weak drivetrain and brakes. Best bet is to just buy the cheapest running Impreza you can get, and save up for a complete drivetrain swap, from motor to gearbox to rear diff to hubs and brakes. I am about to sell my entire 2001 RS drivetrain, EJ25 longblock, ECU, and engine harness plus gearbox, axles, driveshaft, hubs, and brakes for $2000, so a project Impreza won't break the bank (unless you want it to- ask me about what I'm spending on the stuff that's replacing all that! 
).
).
01-23-2004, 01:08 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: my home is Portland but I'm @ School in Seattle
Posts: 2,801
Car Info: 1998 Subaru Legacy L 5-speed
Originally posted by BAN SUVS
(unless you want it to- ask me about what I'm spending on the stuff that's replacing all that!).
(unless you want it to- ask me about what I'm spending on the stuff that's replacing all that!
).
01-23-2004, 09:58 PM
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: milwaukee
Posts: 59
Car Info: '97 imp L
for $2000
01-24-2004, 12:58 PM
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: my home is Portland but I'm @ School in Seattle
Posts: 2,801
Car Info: 1998 Subaru Legacy L 5-speed
Originally posted by **** Loader
can i throw non abs rotors on those rear hubs
can i throw non abs rotors on those rear hubs
01-24-2004, 02:11 PM
#8
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Posts: n/a
Originally posted by BAN SUVS
I am about to sell my entire 2001 RS drivetrain, EJ25 longblock, ECU, and engine harness plus gearbox, axles, driveshaft, hubs, and brakes for $2000, so a project Impreza won't break the bank (unless you want it to- ask me about what I'm spending on the stuff that's replacing all that!).
I am about to sell my entire 2001 RS drivetrain, EJ25 longblock, ECU, and engine harness plus gearbox, axles, driveshaft, hubs, and brakes for $2000, so a project Impreza won't break the bank (unless you want it to- ask me about what I'm spending on the stuff that's replacing all that!
).
01-26-2004, 04:22 PM
#9
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Glen Rock, PA
Posts: 527
Car Info: 95 Impreza coup, green, 5speed 1.8l awd
in reality i think the brighton is lighter than even the L models because they have no options they weight 2650 or 2700 lbs
but if you want to save for something more expensive and have more power from the get go then save but if you do like most people on here they swap even a 2.5, normally because they go turbo and break it, so if money is a issue buy that and live with going slow for sometime plus insurance is cheap cheap cheap
3300 for that brighton doesnt sound bad
but if you want to save for something more expensive and have more power from the get go then save but if you do like most people on here they swap even a 2.5, normally because they go turbo and break it, so if money is a issue buy that and live with going slow for sometime plus insurance is cheap cheap cheap
3300 for that brighton doesnt sound bad
01-27-2004, 03:05 AM
#10
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Location: rightBehindYou, HI
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Car Info: 1973 Huevo Ranchero
how long can you wait? if you can wait i encourage you to save your money and buy a wrx or sti.(YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT) i am holding out big time just to make sure i save enough to buy an sti. if you're the type that has to build your own- go the "build your own" route. you'll probaby feel more rewarded. as for people like me... i like the major work already done then just simple bolt ons after that.
01-27-2004, 02:00 PM
#11
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Glen Rock, PA
Posts: 527
Car Info: 95 Impreza coup, green, 5speed 1.8l awd
all i'm saying is $3300 for the car plus $15,000 for perforance parts or $18,000 for a used WRX
to me the hassle and wait are worth it but to some that cant wait they will just save up and buy and then just do bolt-ons
to me the hassle and wait are worth it but to some that cant wait they will just save up and buy and then just do bolt-ons
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