strength of motors and transmissions?

I thought I could give you a couple of links of truth but "ej18 broken crankshaft" is returning something japanese instead of the god awful photos I found of an everyday driver who broke one without a turbo. Hmmmm. I have nearly paranoid dreams at what controls google... but anyway. The smaller the ej series engines, unless its the ej 18 are good from What I have been reading (I inquired too with same questions as you) I know of the 2.0 and 2.2 certain models that seem to be great.

it sure as hell seems they do the opposite of truth in automotive engineering but the above 2 mentioned seem to be the toughest durable. I am not falling for any Subaru again without the old little 3 main bearing from the 80s. It seems my faith in japanese has dwindled: The inline four is my number one worst engine... japans number one. after bending 2 straight sixxes the long way and throwing rods on a very conservative 90-150 hp version... thier supra is glorified with a straight six and illegal 30psi turbo. After realizing with 20 years of personal triumph with the 3 main bearing boxer four, they now have five mains, are an interference engine and have an intake too large, did away with the carb, have too many valves, and the newer cars tire profile is too small, and am forced to chuckle when I park my all oem 1987 GL d/r next to a 300hp impreza to tower over it in every way, even with the "little" 13 inch rims.. yet another opposite. I give up.

Good luck to you and your high priced pursuit.

If I understand your post correctly, I see no reason you shouldn't get the WRX wagon. You don't say if you've test driven any. You don't say if you're buying new or used - the xtra .5 liter in my '06 makes me run in STU class in SCCA, I was WAY underprepared. (still had fun though). A lot depends on what plans you have for the car. Insurance may be higher

- but won't be as bad as STi insurance. And the WRXs seem to tolerate a lot of mods. Check over at

and maybe for additional input.

If you're building an engine - the sandrail guys (especially outta Australia) are getting some crazy power too - even going in and semi-closing the deck in the blocks.

If you want a dragster - Subarus are not gonna be the best option. But for the twisties......

Carl

... nothing beats a Lotus? :-)

I think he's better of with the STI. The transmission is stronger. Dunno about 08 but 07 and lesser shared the tranny with the basic impreza. I don't hink it's up to the task of handling the extra power from an up tuned engine. On the other hand the 8-9k difference payes for a lot of rebuild trannies.

If I had an STI I'm not sure why I would have wanted to bolt anything to it in the first place though.

You mention things I hadn't thought about, and don't know the Subaru motors. # of mains and the like. I always liked when I found out that a car I bought was Over engineered. I think I have been pretty lucky over the years, since even cars that I was given, had lots of heavy duty systems. Rather have them, then flimsy ones.

I have been looking and thinking of Sube's, mainly the Impreza, to have a sporty, smaller car. I like a hatchback or small wagon, since I like large hounds, and did a lot of things that I had to carry large items. I used to take seats out of compact coupes, so my hounds could stand, and I could see out the back window, or take out all but the drivers seat, to carry big cabinets.

I would prefer a small motor that doesn't sit forward of the front axle, having almost gotten killed in a 78' Eldorado, having to keep it from doing 360's, Just from leaning on the brakes, and turning the wheel, to get back behind a car I was trying to pass, when headlights appeared ahead of me on a 2 lane, in a pitch black forrest. Rear wheels locked up. I kept it from spining, but was going mighty fast sideways, down a grass enbankment, stoping inches from a big tree, right next to where I sat. At the time I had a 71' Mercury Capri, that was RWD, with the

1.6L Kent motor, that looked like a sewing machine, and that car handled like it was riding on tracks, being so well balanced.

Lotus and Ford did amazing things with the motor. 4valve heads, turbo's and the like, and Ford had it puting out 700HP. I never got the mods that had to come from the UK, but Ford brough the UK guys over and made the turbo 4cyl Mustang SVO, from 84-86'. That had things I would have done to the Capri. Loved the Recaro seats. Something always happened to stop me from buying, and then they stoped making it. I Still look for one, but they only made 10K, and have Lots of special parts.

I happened upon a video of the Litchfield, T-25 Impreza in the UK, and it got me thinking of the Capri and Stang again. With my limitations, I can just about handle my Chevy, but my mind wants to have more, or at least the possibility, of something Really interesting, so I'm in a serious hunt for a Sube. As usual I drive salespeople crazy. Even think I have Sube geting there, wrote to them and got a reply, but no answers, just wondering Why I was asking.

I read on another forum, that was discussing the motor internals, and who Though the WRX motor had a forged crank, and someone claims they contacted Subaru, and was told it was cast, and another time, Aluminum. LOL... I'm to the point it might be worth it to buy the factory shop manuals to TRY to find out. Could save me 7K$ now, or later

VF

additional input.

I've been on NASIOC, and not geting good answers. My first choice would be the WRX wagon, and I drove it and an auto base model last week, and for my condition right now, I think something in between would be prefered. Felt beat up driving the WRX just about a mile on city streets, because of my muscle body damage. Riding or driving can wear me out, and make me hurt. Geting back into my old Chevy to drive home was comfortable. This week I got to drive a base 5sp, and drove it around a good bit, even onto a winding river drive. A bit underpowered maybe, but I was having to remember a road I hadn't driven in years, and which way to go, in a car I wasn't familiar with, and haven't driven a stick in 25yrs, so maybe didn't select the best gears. I was exhausted but not beat up, and I didn't have to sleep after geting home. I'm in a difficult situation, wanting things, but not able to handle what I want.

I prefer the twisties, but having power is nice. Having both as much as I want, is what I am after, With the possibility of changing things if I want. What got me Really looking for a Sube was the video of the Litchfield T-25 Impreza in the UK. Like I have mentioned, I like a vehicle that can carry things, so a hatchback or wagon would be prefered. and something that can corner and go.

I'm living in a big city where cars get beat up, or I'd have something more expensive. I have plans to move, but not with my physical condition. My thoughts are, to go with the base model, and if it gets beat up, it won't be as stressful, and spending more, but having the possibility of modding it later if wanted. If the WRX was a good base for going as far as I might want, it might be the best choice, but if it has some parts I would want to have to change, it might be better to buy the base model, and see if I want to mod. I read the 5 speeds are the same except for gearing, and the ratioes an the base model are prefered.

I Always wanted to build a motor. Blueprinting, balancing, and cc'ing the heads. The T-25 using a Cosworth motor takes me back to the Capri import I mentioned, and what Ford and Lotus did with the puny Kent

1.6L it had.

I don't really need another car, but miss having a stick, and something new and more dependable would be nice, since my physical limits have me just doing the bare minimum repairing my current car. Looking at the motor on the Sube, I will Dread needing to work on it, and I would want to try, since I have Never been satisfied with work that others did, and usually have to Redo what they did. Even had brakes Fail 2 blocks after leaving a shop that replaced them. I had just forgot to check them for inspection, so had to get them done to pass. Still owe that guy money, and will Never go back, and He is a Good mechanic, but his assistant wasn't.

VF

Yea, but I want the wagon. Looked at Pics of the 08' and don't like the look, or dimensions. Don't have any hounds now, but measured the crates to see if 2 would fit in the 07' wagon.

Because of my chemical injury and muscle damage, I felt beat up driving the WRX. I imagine an STi If I could get it would be worse. I'd be up for changing a Lot to have something that worked for me. Being tall, the seat bottoms aren't long enough to fully support my things. The Recaro seats in the mid 80's Mustangs did, with the adjustable thigh support. I look at Recaro's site, or other car seats, and don't see that feature. To me driving is surviving. Had my only accident, which was very minor, the first day I drove a car by myself, and it taught me to pay strict attention, and not drive a car that didn't fit, feel good, or couldn't see well. One thing I don't like about the hood scoop, is the look, but the main thing is that is blocks some view, and is distracting while driving. To me little things like that cause stress and take some of the joy. A FMIC made more sense anyway, so if I would change it on a turbo model, no advantage to buying one with the top mounted one. LOL.. I'm pretty fussy, but it pays in the end.

VF

Siting lower and lower profile tires are supposed to be better, but I go by the Look of the tires. If something looks like it will ride like a buckboard, it will probably feel like it. If the car was just for racing, that would be one thing. Maybe the tires on the WRX helped make me feel beat up. Some comfort is nice, but don't want to jiggle down the road, and Feel is always good. I used to do odd things to get the right feel. When power brakes were too sensitive, I opted for oversized manual drum brakes, back when you had a choice, and drums. I was into the "Europen Feel" when it only came with eurpoean cars.

One thing I noticed on the base Sube at least. The steering wheel was slipery, and would have to fix that. Maybe they put Armorall or something on it. Like puting Pledge on vinyl or leather car seats, and sliding across them on turns.(( It was textured, plastic I guess, and I guess the WRX had leather. I didn't like the ovalish cross section of the wheel, but guess I got used to it. I Want My MTV, or is that WRX??) Well, I want something that I will enjoy.

VF

08 impreza is reportedly much roomier. But the cargo area seems to be shaped very differently. Have you considered the larger legacy or the brick on wheels like Forester XT? The only difference I see is the taller roofline for taller drivers and possibly even softer suspension.

Outback sport is the most detuned impreza. the suspension is probably the most pliable of the group but obviously there's no turbo.

08 has a recessed scoop that looks much classier than 07- nevermind the rest of the frontend

additional input.

If you can find a dealership with one in stock, you might add Mazdaspeed to your list. The problem comes that there are only a few 'sport wagons' available. Maybe an Audi too. I dunno if there is a Legacy GT-type Legacy wagon - that could be a way to go. Or the H6 Outback even - but there are fewer aftermarket go-fast bits available for those. Maybe take a look at the features at

,ask around at (those guys are a bit less - um,... juvenile?... than some folks at nasioc), take a look at some of the Legacy/generic modding parts available for the Legacy at - well has SOME Legacy hi-perf stuff.

Also, I THINK Subaru has a 'dog gate' or specific divider for the cargo area that might be good to get if you find a soob you like.

hope you feel better soon.

Carl

atwww.nasioc.comandmaybewww.ultimatesubaru.orgforadditional input.

atwww.ultimatesubaru.org(those guys are a bit less - um,... juvenile?...

Thought about the Mazda, but to me it doesn't look good. Like Audi's small wagon, and one even has an adjustable ride height, which would be good for going off road, and I Have planned a year long, all around the country trip, to scenic places, IF I was ever able to handle such a trip, which doesn't look like I ever will, since it's been 20yrs, but I always have hope. My Capri was from Germany, and parts weren't easy to get or cheap. I think Audi starts around 25K$, and I'd like to get what I wanted, cheaper, to keep on the street here. I probably would check them out if the WRX was what I thought I needed. I like to be able to build and modify, If I can and was able, to have options. I want something smaller than the Legacy, and I liked my hounds to be able to pick their spots to lay, though they should be crated in a car, but the females usually like to be close, and one would lay with her muzzle on the back of my seat, or on my shoulder, which was always neat.)

I'll check the links. I know kids could be on a Sube site. This one seems pretty serious.

VF

atwww.nasioc.comandmaybewww.ultimatesubaru.orgforadditional input.

atwww.ultimatesubaru.org(those guys are a bit less - um,... juvenile?...

Someone else in this thread first metioned it, but lets think about a Forester; comes in a model with a turbo - decent enough mileage if you keep your foot outta the boost but 'power on demand'. based on Impreza chassis/WRX engine so many 'go fast' bits will fit. Softer ( to me anyway) ride than WRX. better ride height for off/soft roading. room for hounds/gear. decent visibility, I dunno, try driving one and see if you like it.

Carl

atwww.nasioc.comandmaybewww.ultimatesubaru.orgforadditionalinput.

atwww.ultimatesubaru.org(thoseguys are a bit less - um,... juvenile?...

The Forester doesn't turn me on. Too boxy for my tastes. I want something small and sporty looking, that still can carry stuff. A car that can do everything. That's why I like the Impreza wagon.