Getting to the dirt (not an impreza but I trust your opinions)

[crazed]

So I have been presented a really good opportunity with a cheap AWD car. I want to make it into a rally-style kinda car. It's a Subaru Legacy GT, 1995. But it's an automatic. It only has 60k on it and it's perfectly untouched. He's willing to give it up to me because I'm his friend for $1500. How hard do you think it would be to get this thing into the dirt? How hard would it be to swap to a manual? In basic, is this a good starting practice, tear-it-up-noob rally car?

*Couple more questions, sorry for the kinda long post*

Would parts be cheap for this car? or hard to find...it seems not extremely common, yet being older and a subaru I can't imagine them not being around at the jyard from time to time.

[rollo]

Do it. It would be as easy to get it in the dirt as driving it to your nearest dirt.

MT swap? Subarus are like Lego... so..

Sorry for the vague answers, I'm sure some more "been there done that" types will be here soon to fill in the details :D

[crazed]

^ even though it was vague, it did reassure my confidence in going through with it :D

[Gancherov]

I'm pretty sure that subaru 5-speed transmissions are like 90% cross-compatible. So even if you get one intended for a different car (like an impreza) it will work with the legacy.

The same goes for a lot of the mechanical workings of the car. Even though the legacy GT wasn't super popular, you will be able to get parts for it at a decent price. I think the suspension is interchangeable with impreza stuff as well.

Either way, for $1500 you can't lose. I wouldn't even bother with modifying it too much if you intend to daily drive it. Some decent tires and maybe a skid plate, then just beat the living hell out of it until you're done with it.

[Greg Donovan]

i rallycrossed my old ej18 93 impreza wagon with a auto and it was a lot more fun than i thought it would be. almost as much fun as a 5mt (if not a little more).

[MarkA]

First, don't worry about it being an AT. RallyX courses are rarely power oriented and if you find one that is, your "secret weapon" will be that most AT's go quite a bit faster in first than MT's and you'd be surprised how much time running an AT car at the rev limiter in first makes up on a MT one caught between gears. Jam the tranny in first and floor it!

Second, for the price, I can't see you going wrong, period. So, even if you only want to bash around in the dirt and not actually RallyCross it (I'm not clear on the goal from your first post), you won't find a more durable car for the $$$.

[ScoobyDoo8]

Do it. It would be as easy to get it in the dirt as driving it to your nearest dirt.

MT swap? Subarus are like Lego... so..

Sorry for the vague answers, I'm sure some more "been there done that" types will be here soon to fill in the details :D

Wrong, MT Swap in an older Lego is a nightmare. Trust me, I wanted to do it to my 96. I will have to look it all up, but all I know is it was going to be a nightmare and negative.

Either way man, Get it! You will have absolutely so much fun with it! I had a 96 L with 198k i picked up for 900 bucks, and that thing was BY FAR thee best and most fun car I have ever owned. More fun and better than the 500hp wrx, better than the blue wrx I used to have, BETTER THAN THE RALLY CAR being built! And that says a lot. I'm not tooting my own horn, I just want you to know, that you will have an absolute blast, and it will more than likely be the absolute most fun car you will ever own

[wolfman79]

Leave it auto, the manual swap is a lot of parts and time and hassle. Plus as has been mentioned already the auto won't be a hindrance and can even be a benefit. As far as engine parts/performance it is essentially an RS in a Leggy body. Same for suspension interchangability. Buy it drive it and enjoy.

[crazed]

Thanks for all the informative replies! If it makes any difference it's actually an LSi. I'm not quite clear if that's better or worse, but still, it's really cheap and in extremely clean condition. At first I'm just planning on tossing it around in the dirt, but then I would like to start maybe entering local, small competitions when I can find them. I'm just going to go ahead and leave it auto. Only do a small few upgrades like mentioned a skid plate and such. New air filter. Is the stock suspension fine for the dirt? Or is there some other little bit higher more raised options I should look for? And should I just use the stock street tires?

[MarkA]

Is the stock suspension fine for the dirt?

If it's still in good condition, it'll be fine.

And should I just use the stock street tires?

Again, if the tires are in good shape, you're in good shape for messing around in empty dirt lots or whatnot. Once you start to enter organized RallyX events, you'll probably want better tires but check to see the local rules and what works in your area before buying any.

[crazed]

Ok. Also, can anyone tell me more about the LSi model in specific versus the others?

[Greg Donovan]

Ok. Also, can anyone tell me more about the LSi model in specific versus the others?
is it an LSi or a GT?

LSi is a 2.2 legacy while the GT is a 2.5 legacy. LSi has more options than an L or LS.

[BDurb]

i can vouch for the leggy being dirt compatible.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx109/SubyFTW/DSC01051.jpg

[Ruh Roh 1]

I can Vouch for a Legacy, too!! Mine was an auto and I swapped it to 5 speed.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg143/gary0681/Legacy/sidesmallr.jpg

[rollo]

Wrong, MT Swap in an older Lego is a nightmare. Trust me, I wanted to do it to my 96. I will have to look it all up, but all I know is it was going to be a nightmare and negative.

Ah, I stand corrected.

[beatersubi]

Ah, I stand corrected.
Its really not that bad. I've done a couple. Lots of work, and not for the feint-of-heart, but do-able.
That being said, a local rallycrosser has had much success in a 2.2 impreza outback wagon w/ an auto.
Personally, I've driven both and think a manual gives the driver a better connection w/ the car, so to speak.

[MonzoSpeed]

+1 leave the auto.

When that one fails, replace that with a 99-05 4eat. Then save for the standalone trans controller from Power Train Control Solutions. With that you can program shift time based on RPM, vehicle speed, or what ever you want... And then rule the world!

[GClark]

I just had my 1993 Legacy converted to a manual, my friend that did it had no problems at all. Took him less then a day to finish it. The car car is that much more fun to drive now, I'm glad I did it.

[Draco-REX]

Leave it stock, just get some good rims and tires and a skidplates as mentioned before. Learn the car, learn what it likes, and learn how to keep your speed up through the corners.

Then, when you think you've got all you can from the car and you need to start modifying it to make it faster, go find the quickest driver in your region. Tap him on the shoulder and ask him to ride with you and give you some pointers. Then, switch seats and ride along while he drives your car.