Subcompact Overland Upgrades. '84 Subaru

[IdaSHO]

Nope, no turbo will be going on this one.

Only slight performance upgrades, in the form of slightly higher compression pistons, and a good deal of porting/polishing.

Reliability is top priority here.

Here is the 5-speed getting cleaned up and prepped. :ylsmoke:

 

[Racer-X]

Updates?

 

[IdaSHO]

Wowsa.... seems I forgot about this thread!

Yes, LOTS of updates.

Currently the fresh motor and new trans have about 5k miles on them, and things are doing great!

here are some of the build photos!

Motor and trans together

Fun front end work. sealed bearing upgrade here

Ready for the fresh engine and trans

And in...

Modified shifter assembly

 

[IdaSHO]

Custom center support bearing mount and shortened driveshaft

Console in with finished shifter

Fresh clean engine bay!

And interior

Thats the gist of it! :ylsmoke:

 

[Racer-X]

Looks great!

Any action Pictures?

 

[IdaSHO]

Not as of yet. The car has been allowed only daily driver duty for new motor break-in.

Soon though :ylsmoke:

 

[Racer-X]

Cool.

Here in South Africa, we didn't get such old models.

I think we only received Subaru models from about 1990 or so.

 

[IdaSHO]

My wife calls this one "the time machine"

 

[BBerry4430]

You do amazing work. Well done. This generation Subaru GLs is easily my favorite. I have an '83 Brat and have owned an 82 and 84 as well. Fantastically fun cars.

 

[IdaSHO]

Thanks!

This has been a fun project. And Im nearing completion. As it is, there isnt much on this car that I havnt touched. :chef:

The past few MONTHS I have been waiting for a gauge MFG to own up to a warranty claim. So being without an oil pressure gauge, the car hasnt been driven much.


I finally got a replacement shipped, nearly 3 months later, and have since sold it to go to another MFG.

The gauge that died and was warrantied was an Innovate Dual Oil PSI and Temp gauge as seen in this photo. It is installed just below the cigarette lighter plug.

While it was a very cool gauge, it didnt last long, and the customer service was an absolute joke. Typical US company selling Chinese garbage.

So when the replacement FINALLY arrived, I promptly sold it on EBAY and ordered one of these...

Only difference is that mine will register water temp and oil PSI.

The gauge is made by VEI Systems, and has a great reputation for outstanding customer service and product support. Did I mention that VEI products are made in the USA? :ylsmoke:


Another fun little project was modifying a wideband O2 setup I had let over from a previous vehicle I owned to make it a universal setup.

So I took my PLW wideband gauge, wired up a cigarette lighter adapter, extended the leads to the sensor, and fabricated a muffler clamp to mount the Bosch wideband sensor.


Since building and installing the fresh high compression engine, I have had a sneaky suspicion that the weber was under jetted. This wideband setup confirmed it. Right as the carb dips into the secondary, the engine leans out a good bit. So the carb needs to be re-jetted.

Notice my temporary oil PSI gauge...

And the exhaust clamp + Bosch Wideband.

 

[IdaSHO]

Got the new gauge in, and have also finally figured out my temp issues.

Since installing the new motor, it has seemed to run on the warm side. I first attributed it to the fresh build, new bearings, higher compression, etc.

As it turns out, I got a faulty OEM Thermostat. I installed a brand new one in the new motor as it was built, and a boil test shows that it was never opening all the way :snorkel:

Anyways here is the new gauge. And if a fresh t-stat really fixes the problem, this car is cleared for duty!

We have a backpacking trip coming up, and this Subaru will deliver us and gear to the trail head. :ylsmoke:

 

[Superu_legacy]

This is a GREAT build thread!!

Your attention to detail and care for the older Soob is great! It sure makes one long for an older, well kept, "simple" car! Kudos for the rig and your abilities with her!

Is there ANY chance your name is Dustin?

 

[IdaSHO]

Thanks, and no, my name isnt Dustin.

 

[Superu_legacy]

Thanks, and no, my name isnt Dustin.

I thought it was a stretch but worth asking.
I know a Dustin who bought an '84, then through WA ended up in Idaho. Your work is leagues cleaner and more complete than his would've been.
Again, props on the rig!

Ciao,
-mw-

 

[steelheadbum]

IdaSHO
Your rig looks great....if your ever headed my way let me know I would love to see her.
Buck

The Redneck Mexican
2002 E350 7.3 PSD 4x4 8inch lift pop top conversion....