I just got my sti back from the insurance company and was wondering how hard it is to drop the drive train in a forester or an older impreza coupe.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7227/dscn1515zr2.jpg
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7185/dscn1516ey9.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3827/dscn1517yq3.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4126/dscn1518wp5.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2316/dscn1519cw6.jpg
http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/479/dscn1522ws1.jpg

Im in the process of taking fenders off of it now.

if the swap was too hard I was just going to fix this thing back up. No drive train dmg. I do need to pull the bumper as obvious, radiator w/ components/mounts and do plumbing work. I was also wondering if anyone has had to get their airbags redone I wanted to know how much that cost. I know that isn't cheap.

I was curious if anyone has been in my situation before. The only reason I got the car back is because my dad felt real bad for wrecking it, yes my 62yr old teenager dad wrecked the car. Not his son(me) So all you hate-a-teen drivin a turbo car can beat it.

But yeah, like stated. Was just posting to get some ideas and knowledge on where is a good place to buy good oem parts for cheap.

Thanks for reading.

nope, a rebuild would be doable, especially if there's no frame damage. However a swap into a GC-chassis car would rock, and be lighter and better looking. :)

Fenders off.
http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/605/dscn1527mt7.jpg
http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/3411/dscn1528zt6.jpg
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1043/dscn1529tr3.jpg

Looking for people who have done a GC swap.

Please PM.

From what I know, wiring harness is a bitch. The suspension doesnt fit well but will work as long as you dont drop the car because the wheels are going to stick out a little.

I'd drop it in an Impreza L with a Hydra and the STI wiring harness and wire up the dash.

The new Forrester XTs have an STI engine.

are the timing belt covers still in one piece? didnt jump timing or anything? swap wouldnt be too bad, i just got done with my jdm ver8 swap... what bolt pattern are those bbs's?

Yeah the belt covers and what not got a lil' knocked around.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/3493/dscn1530vd2.jpg
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2870/dscn1531bu0.jpg
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/193/dscn1532mk8.jpg

if possible i would see if the timing is thrown off because of the impact. it becomes an issue with front end collisions

What do I look for to tell.
-Thanks.

is the timing belt still in tact? is it broken or ripped or anything at all? i hope you didnt bend the valves... are you selling anything off the car?

That car looks like it probably jumped timing..... Which in turn, probably bent the valves. I'd would run through the motor and swap a gc if it was me!!

You can put A LOT of parts off that car into a GC...... Engine, tranny(with functional dccd), suspension, diff, seats, dash(yes, dash!!), wheels, brakes,etc. The list could keep going and going!!

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/9395/dscn1538fh6.jpg

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/8442/dscn1537kj7.jpg

you just have to see if there are any marks on the timing belt or anything from rubbing on the covers.... hey send me a pm if you want to sell anything... i bet there are a few things i could take off your car... let me know asap thanks!

ohh yeah memories... airbags hurt like hell don't they?

well yours probably were a bit softer than the ones i felt, from a 94 integra thats a single stage inflate process, and I hit a wall at 45mph, but i walked home without a scratch. car was totaled.

the newer ones have a 2 stage inflate to soften the blow, still it's like getting hit in the chest with a baseball bat. heh

were you hurt at all in the impact?

^^^He already stated that his father was involved in the accident, and that he was not in the vehicle.

arrg my fault for not being more thorough. sorry

got flashbacks when i saw the airbags and condition of the car

turn that in a race car then you dont have to worry about the air bags or any thing check the engine if it works and you got every thing else just get some cheap fenders and bumper and if you know a autobody shop that can ficks the front so very thing fits and you got a hell of a race car for about 4000 dollars that is just me though

turn that in a race car then you dont have to worry about the air bags or any thing check the engine if it works and you got every thing else just get some cheap fenders and bumper and if you know a autobody shop that can ficks the front so very thing fits and you got a hell of a race car for about 4000 dollars that is just me though
Nope.

Man that sucks.

I say its easier to fix up the car than to do the swap, Doing a swap takes alot of wiring, wich sucks.

want to sell the car?

They dont total a $30k car for an easy fix amount of damage. Take the insurance money and sell the car then buy what you want.

Man that sucks.

I say its easier to fix up the car than to do the swap, Doing a swap takes alot of wiring, wich sucks.


Dont listen to this comment.....:disco: Yeah, the wiring is rough, but it can be done professionally as long as you got the money to spend. I paid to have my done for piece of mind that my car would never have electrical issues. Not to mention that it was completley plug and play and I have had ZERO issues with my harness. It was well worth the money!! Just saying, dont let that scare you from swapping!!:cool:


I'll say it like this...... After you drive a STi swapped GC, you WON'T regret taking the time to do this!!;) It'll be faster than your STi, and cheaper on insurance!!

The wiring isn't even that rough. If you have all the wiring diagrams and know a bit about electronics the swap isn't that difficult at all. He'd need to splice in: Doors, hvac controls, dome items, wiper motor, seatbelt/door sensors, exterior lights, defroster strips, radio.. not much else. GD radiator for plug n play, he can use his fuel tank so all that will be plug n play, modify dash for gd cluster.. - The mechanical aspect of the swap is cake so if you prepare yourself for the electrical part almost anyone can do it.