Best Suby To Buy / Start With.

Newbietosuby · Post by **Newbietosuby** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:02 pm

Righto...only took my a half hour to see how to post a new thread.
I guess I'm new to 2 things...I've never joined a forum b4 and I've never driven a subaru (82-94 that is).

MY QUESTION IS!!!

Due to being a suby sportwagon virgin....could anybody suggest what's the best model/motor/anything-else-to-consider when buying a suby to get in on the ground floor with these super little cars. I've read a few post about the EA81 vs EA82 arguement and a few sites about rust in differnet spots and the availabilty of spare parts ect ect ect.....But when it comes down to it I really dunno which model to be aiming for. Esp when the 81 and the 82 seem to have a 7 year overlap!!!

A further Q is....Is it as simple as the MY having an EA81 and the L series having an EA82? (Apart from the body changes of course)

Also which Motor is most common?

My car history consists of a HQ and a Torana, so you can see how far removed I am from grasping all these suby issues. I'm looking to buy one of these cars so I can do a bit of off roading without having to spend the 10 to 15 tho to get a big expensive 4B and the inherant running costs too!

And Comments would be greatly appreaciated.
Word

Ps - Apolgoies to Newbie for kinda ripping off ur name....I saw that after I'd registered!!! OooppS.

Rabbitoh · Post by **Rabbitoh** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:48 pm

Depending on what you want to do and how much you want to spend. Obviously the Impreza WRX is number 1 for power. The Liberty RS Turbo is a beast as well. Both are AWD.
I recently traded my Toyota Camry for a '05 2.5 RS Impreza which is AWD it handles a million times better than the camry it is a great machine. I also have a Subaru Leone RX Turbo 4WD which is excellent as well. I think the modern AWD Impreza's and Libertys handle fantastic for road travel but for off road , i'll leave that up the the real experts on this forum, over to you boys.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:18 pm

whats your budget? what do you want to do with the car?

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:00 pm

South Australia has a Subaru offroad car club and they are based in Adelaide it also might be a good idea to get to one of thier meetings prior to making any spends as they may steer you in a way that would be more preferable to the local environment and parts supply.

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:24 pm

ypu are right about the MY series with ea81 and L series with ea82.
i reckon the best bang for your buck would be to find a MPFI ea82 L series, then spend a little more on a lift kit and larger wheels and you'd be all set. MPFI has a little more power and a couple less issues than carby in my opinion.

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:24 pm

dependin on the budget a L series with 5 speed manual and DR4wd wuld be easily able to handle a lot offroad and if u get a touring wagon they have the ncie stuff inside

ive got a 83 MY Touring Wagon EA81 DR manual and its a good car to start with
piked it up for less than a grand and its not in bad shape has basically everything to (p/windows, p-steering, aircon etc). the MY's are gettin a lot harder to come across as far as i can tell so lookin for an L wuld be better and u shuld be able to get one without much problems on it

Newbietosuby · Post by **Newbietosuby** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:49 am

Hi There Fella's,

Thanks stacks for the feedback so far!

Sorry Rabbitoh...I probably should have been more specific....I'm looking to spend 3-5 thou on the Vehicle and I'm looking at the MY's and L Series Sportwagons only. After I've had it a while I'll start playing with lift kits and tyres and stuff. I like to modify things slowly...that way you get to see a gradual improvement.

Vincentvega...I wanna probably have the thing jacked up with some bigger wheels like "Subi" stated. Therefore, is the only lift kit company that "funonwheels" mob? or is there a company in SA? I wanna be able to do some fairly hairy offroad driving, hills and sand and mud and so forth. Ideally I wanna be able to do everything my mate in his Pajero can do. (Well apart from the stoopid water crossings and massive rock hopping!)

Subi....So I'm best off looking for an L Series Sportwagon with the Mutil Point Injection you reckon. What years were these cars in production. I was looking at one's from 90-94 just cause they were a little newer, and would hopefully have less mileage and wear on things like bearings and gearboxes and so forth. Going into this is going to be a "Buy it, drive it and then get a fully engine recon when required" So I'm looking at other problems with differnent gearboxes and other parts also. Anything to be mindful of? How about the brakes? Do Suby's have 5 different types of calipers like Torana's did? (Some being good and some being total rubbish!)

Suby Wan Kenobi...Thanks for the heads up about the Suby Club...I'll definately pop out and chew some ears b4 doling out any reddies.

STILL MORE QUESTIONS,

I heard a nasty rumour that the CV's go every 10 thousand K's and you basically have to do these every other oil change. Is this just BullDust, or is it a very real issue with L Series? (Especially once you start jackin'em up?)

I also wanna know about the little things that you fine fella's have encountered over the years. Things that you came across and could have been avoided. Esp. in reference to the L Series if this is the one to focus on attaining. Are there different boxes? Brakes? Ignition systems? Injection systems? Interiors? or other Options to look out for? Holden was terrible for this in the 70's and now I'm all the wiser I certainly wouldn't buy a Torana with series 5 PBR calipers on it!!! That sort thing if you know what I mean.

What the main different between a G and a GL?

Sorry for the essay, I'm just so keen on this! I'm still wading thru all the other threads, so sorry if I've asked Q's that have been covered elsewhere!

Many Thanks

daveosubi · Post by **daveosubi** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:44 pm

There are other liftkits around, this forum is kindly provided by a manufacturer of kits and accessories for subarus.

I think an l series with injection is a good idea, i personally prefer the look of the "my" but the motor (injection) and gearbox(5 speed) makes the L a better buy.

Cv arnt that much of a problem unless you get real cheap ones, or your using a suspension lift which changes the cv shaft angles. I think most people on hear are happy with a lift kit and firmer suspension which doesnt alter cv angles.

There are a few different boxes all you want is one with dual range for off roading. As for the breaks I think with wagons there all the same front disc/rear drum setup, The turbo sedans have rear discs which can be put on the rear of wagons, I think around $350+ is the going price for the 2nd hand parts for this. Im unsure about the ignition/injection systems I know my L has electronic ignition with the carb motor.

Theres quite a few differnt interiors ive seen while at car wreckers, some quite nice and plush, My "L series" wagon has a very spartan interior with vinyl floors and cloth seats, but I like it it's easy to keep clean. Not sure what differences are with G and GL

Now to throw a spanner in the works, have you thought about a liberty?

julian · Post by **julian** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:19 pm

3-5 grand is plenty of money and would see you build yourself a decent L series.
Have you seen this by any chance?
showthread.php?t=6470
This car is in Adelaide and may be the perfect solution for you.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:56 pm

Hey Newbietosubi!

Welcome to the forum.

L series is a great car, even in stock form. My L has surpised me as to what it can do and where its gone when i've tested my nerves/perceptions of what the car can do.

Now, the MPFI came standard in the touring wagons, i havn't seen one in a sports wagon or DL (think that's what your calling a "G" - base model) wagon. They also came in the GL leone 2wd's. Touring wagons typically come with carpet rather than vinyl flooring, central locking, power mirror and power windows...

As to brakes, all standard across the board with exception to the RX turbo as already stated, but they still bolt on to every L series and MY vehicle.

Wiring is weird... If your going to change any wiring, best to try and get it from the same year your car is, i've got a 91 wiring loom up to the rear seat and the standard 88 loom from there back... The looms didn't have the same number of wires in there, and that was after the central locking and power window wiring was removed. Did this to fit an MPFI into my DL wagon and not bother with removing the rear wiring/upolstry...

Try and get a late model MPFI - 88 onwards, these have the Hotwire AirFlow Metre, apparently a mark up from the "flapper" style AFM.
I've just rebuilt my MPFI and couldn't be happier with it.

I'll give you 2 years before you have an EJ engine under the bonnet... seems to happen to everyone here.

Good luck. When you find a good L you'll love it and it'll love you back. Parts shouldn't be a problem either if you need any.

By the way, my first car was a 71 LC torana, love it til my best mate rolled it

but i've still got one in the shed to be restored

Cheers

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:58 pm

PS
DL's have no tacho on their dash
GL's do have a tacho (IMHO they look like a much better balanced dash display)

Some L's don't have AC, something to keep in mind if you want that - easier to buy in the car than put it in later...

Cheers

Newbietosuby · Post by **Newbietosuby** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 4:33 pm

Thanks once more goodfellows!

Daveosubi....Thanks for the advice about the cv/lift fits, I'll check that out! And good to see things are fairly std brake wise!!!! I'm slowly learning of the art of L Series Subarus!

Julian....That suby looks sick!!! But......I little more hardcore than I want to start with tho, thanks for the heads up anyways. I reckon give me a bit and I'll be getting into that sort of stuff!

El Freddo.....Thanks heaps for all the advice about the L series!!!! Things are starting to fall into place in this head of mine. Ok...so 88 onwards you say, WILL DO! Is there any easy way of making sure the air flow metre is the "HotWire" system as opposed to a flapper gate thingo? Does every single L Series from 88 onward have Multi Point?

OK ONE LAST GENERAL QUESTION - (Before I actually buy one and start asking little tweaking questions.)

Can someone give me a run down of the classes....I seemed to pick up that there is a Touring Wagon and a Sport Wagon? and a GL and a DL? Gosh!? So many options!!!! How does look in an "Options Family Tree"

EG, In terms of the Commodore.
For Example - Executive, Acclaim, Berlina, Calias, Statesman, (each one better than the last in some ways but not nesessarily others?)

How would this look for L Series Suby's?
Is it Touring = GL and the Sports = DL? With the Touring having more options? (Like the afore mentioned Tacho...)
OR
Is it more complicated than that?

Once More, Many Thanks!!!!

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:19 pm

For $3-5k honestly you'd be better off looking at a 89-92 Liberty Wagon, easily in that price range and 5 times the car the L series could ever be...

Newbietosuby · Post by **Newbietosuby** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:08 am

Do any of the Liberty's have a DR boxes in them?

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:08 am

Ben wrote:For $3-5k honestly you'd be better off looking at a 89-92 Liberty Wagon, easily in that price range and 5 times the car the L series could ever be...

I have to agree.. How ever, if you want to offroad/4x4 it, then I suggest an MY. They are so easy to mod and they are more reliable then those other ones, the fridges. EA81 is a far better motor IMHO then the EA82, but the EJ series is something again can't complain when you have 140hp in a 1100kg car. If you don't want to get into the conversion/modding so much, then get a Liberty.
Also keep your eye in the South Australian section on the forum. I'm thinking of doing another trip down to Robe this summer.

I believe the GX wagons from 89-94 all had dual range. But it's a crappy 1.19 to 1 ratio low gear compared to the MY 1.49 and L series 1.59. You can however mod the 1.59 to 1 ratio into the Lib box. But it is a fair bit of work.

Newbietosuby · Post by **Newbietosuby** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:04 am

Hmmmm...Well now you've gone and got me thinking!!!

In fact now that you mention it. Back when my family had a 85 Jackeroo, I don't think we eva used the Low Range (apart from engaging it once a month to make sure it didn't eva sieze up!) We went all over the Flinders, up creek beds and up and down mountains and never had to used the low range once.

Therefore is it worth me getting an L series just cause it's got a DR box? (Or are you saying that a Liberty GX does have a DR box, only that's it's not as good?) I didn't think the Lib's have DR in them?

I guess I wanna be able to do some off-roading but not anything mad like I've seen on some of the Suby Club web-sites. (Vid's of crossing mud pans and climbing a steep muddy wall!)

Basically I wanna jack the thing up, put some larger tyres on it and free up the intake and exhaust. I certainly don't wanna go to the expense (and or potential head-aches) of a conversion.

Also to ask another Question....Do the Model numbers/letters carry over to the Libs?

Am I on the right path with....
L series = DL (Cheaper model) GL (Better model)
Sportwagon = Std roof and the Touringwagon = higher roof? What other options are there?

How does this look for the Libertys....now that this line of investigation has entered the fray?

Clueless and full of Questions.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:35 pm

Newbietosuby wrote:Am I on the right path with....
L series = DL (Cheaper model) GL (Better model)
Sportwagon = Std roof and the Touringwagon = higher roof? What other options are there?

Your getting there. Dunno if these follow on to the libs, i've only got an L and not looking at a lib any time soon for me.

Sports wagon i think was a package that you could get on the GL and DL standard wagons, they basically added sunraiser wheels (8 star steelies) tow bar, roo bar (wrap over plastic bumber one) and some often colourful stickers down the side of the car.

Touring wagon typically had all the goods for the long tours i guess...

In terms of cheaper model and better model they all run the same, just have different bits and pieces inside. Unlike holden where you upgrade and get a bigger engine, different transmission etc, with subies you get the same mechanical package, no matter what model you choose. I think the single range had a different diff ratio, not too sure about that though.

anyway, i'll leave it at that for now.

Cheers

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:51 pm

Yeah, Liberty base model is LX, then GX and Heritage is the Luxo pack, RS is the sports and hasturbo engine and none in that price bracket anyway...

most LX's I have seen are 2wd too, so no go (but can be converted to 4wd, but less hassle to start with 4wd)

Liberty also has an auto option that is sensational. Even if you abhor autos, the 4 speed EAT Subaru put behind their EJ's is a work of art and for offroad use I don't believe can be beat.

Newbietosuby · Post by **Newbietosuby** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:39 pm

AHHhhhhhhh!!!!! Now I get it.....Sports Wagon was an option pack and the models were DL and GL. It's all makes sense now! Thanks El Freddo! I don't think I would have ever got my head around that without ur sagely advice!

So What I need is....A post 1988 GL Touring Wagon with MPFI.
(As I still think I like the older edges of the L Series over the Lib.)

Post 1988 = Hotwire air flow sensor and MPFI EA-82
GL = Tacho.
Sports Wagon = Fancy outside bits.
Touring Wagon = Fancy inside bits & MPFI

Question....Are the Electric Bits on a "Touring Wagon" all still working well as far as people know.
For Example, are the electric window motors prone to buring out or anything? If this was the case wld I be better off getting a "Sports Wagon"
OR
If most people's electric windows and mirrors are still working well, then I shall try and find a "Touring Wagon" and enjoy the luxurious carpet.
(It'll make a change after the vinyl in my Belmont!)

Also...what other extra bits did the GL have over the DL other than a tacho.
Also again...Did the touring wagon also get the bull and tow bars?

I reckon my finiky questions are almost exhausted! Soon I'll be asking about steering geometry and how high can I jack it up without getting handling issues and so on and so forth.

Many Thanks!!!

Ps - Did the L series stay tuff all the way till it's end in 1994? Or did it get watered/weakened down at all?

Learner · Post by **Learner** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:13 pm

just like you i am new to subies, unfortunatly i didn't have a choice and had to go auto ich really sux.... but i went the l series touring wagon. the engine has done some 325000 ks and still strong. i don't know much about it's history but i'm happy with it. ( got it 3 weeks ago) been on a 1500ks trip and never failed nothing to be woried about. as all the electrics it all works fine (but u do have to remember it's a 1989). like you i want a lift on it and bigger tires. but i am considering an ej later down the track as i will be doing the same to my beetle/baja. they are reliable and are planty around. to me the ej 22 is the way to go. i hate the idea of a turbo.

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