I have a 97 outback sport can I put a 97 2.5 front end on my car?
or other suggestions.

yes you can, many people have done it, search for posts by bahamut and bill harvey.

this guy has alot of info on his obs also;

http://wac.addr.com/auto/obs/obs.html

Actually, what you'll be looking for is a version 5 front end. (98 RS front end was similar to the 98 OBS front end) The version 5 front clip was the same front end on all RS's from 99-2001.

If you ask a Subaru performance specialist. they should know exactly what your looking for. Check out SPD Tuning (Mike Shields) or Teagues Auto parts (www.boxer4racing.com) they are two of the origional Scooby tuning shops on this board and both know their stuff.

I've finished mine. I have a 99 OBS. I got a 01 RS bumper, the bumper reinforcement(to mount the new bumper), Hella 500 fog lights. I can email pics if you want or if someone wants to post them. Pretty easy swap though if you have any questions feel free to email me.

PJ

k2snow, how much did it cost you for the swap?

Bumper $175-225
Bumper beam $50 used OEM
$75 lightweight bumper beam
at subaruparts.com or
1stsubaruparts.com
Lights $70 Hella 500s
Light mounts $40 Kartboy or WRX Piaa mounts
Front turn signals $20-30 ebay
Paint ???? depending on where it's done
probably 100-250

I had the bottom of mine color matched to the top of the car. I can email pics if you want

PJ

found these...

http://www.iwoc.co.uk/images/iwocmembers/classic1.jpg

http://www.iwoc.co.uk/images/iwocmembers/classic2.jpg

http://www.iwoc.co.uk/images/iwocmembers/classic3.jpg

http://www.iwoc.co.uk/images/iwocmembers/classic4.jpg

couple more links you have to scroll for them;


http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=136817&perpage=25&highlight=wagon&pagenumber=18 - white

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=136817&perpage=25&highlight=wagon&pagenumber=22 - blue

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=136817&perpage=25&highlight=wagon&pagenumber=27 - sedona

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=136817&perpage=25&highlight=wagon&pagenumber=31 - silver

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=136817&perpage=25&highlight=wagon&pagenumber=59 - silver 2

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=136817&perpage=25&highlight=wagon&pagenumber=41 - yellow

hey, i have a 98 RS and im dieing to get a 99+ bumper on my car. i missed the bumper changeby one year. i recently bought my car in DE, actully hoping to get a 2001 RS, but the last guy who owed it drove it into the ground, so i ended up with the 98 , but im still happy. Im doing every thing i can to convert my 98 to a newer model, well besides the engine ( SOCH). Iv allready order black floormats(instead of the old gray ones), carbon fiber trim (stock on the 01), and looking for a leather shift boot (momo). I would say the bumper is the most obvious thing to do. if u have any thoughts/advice, please clue me in. Or refer me to another thread that says what i need and where to get it/prices.

thanx, MIKE D

98RS again, i think i found what im looking for? http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=167#1468

is this really it or is there something better/cheaper/ simpler???

MIKE D

That's pretty much the kit but you can save some money if you reuse your existing bumper support by modifying it. As for the little parts, they can quickly add up so it's better to buy them used from someone since people are always upgrading. For example, people always upgrade their fogs, turn signals, and sometimes ditch the bumper vents. The bumper itself can be had for around $185. You can even elect not to have fogs and just go with the replica fog covers for around $60. I think I did my whole front bumper for under $350. ;) But if you don't want to spend the time and effort to piece things together and if you don't mind paying a bit more, the subaruparts.com kit might be the thing you're looking for.

Aspen: did that $350 include the painting it? Thats another thing im worried about, getting the bumper to match the car exactly with out having to repaint the whole car. I have the black pearl. I was actully thinking of painting the stock sideskerts too, but thats off the subject.

" reuse your existing bumper support by modifying it" iv herd u have to do some major cutting and i dont know about you, but im no master craftsman. is this true os is there a simpler way??

thanx

mike d

yes major cutting .. took me about 3 hrs with a hack saw +cut of wheel

for me
ver 1-4 bumper 180
fog light brackets 25
fog lights 80 (got a deal from imprezer :))
turn signals from procarparts.com 40


so about 325 w/o painting

$350 does include painting for me since I had some paint leftover from doing my sideskirts. But for you, probably not.

Black pearl can be hard to match especially if your paint is old and faded. Make sure you have a good reputable shop do it.
iv herd u have to do some major cutting and i dont know about you, but im no master craftsman. is this true os is there a simpler way??
Depends on which beam and tools you have. The early Impreza beams are easier to cut than the '99+ beams. I'm not sure if the US '98 beams were the same as the Canadian ones.

10 minutes of beam modification with a plasma cutter. :D Or a little more with a torch. If you like fine cuts that look pretty, a sawzall will also work. But if you're an avg joe, then a cut-off tool and hacksaw will also work. ;)

Or you could if you don't mind the safety of the bumper... Get the lightweight bumper beam which is about 60-70 bucks from subaruparts.com. Probably not the safest thing but definitely lighter. I went w/ the OEM bumper beam I got it used for $50 bucks

Good luck

Aspen-

How is the turbo running? I abandoned the cheap do it yourself turbo kit for a real WRX. Kind of sad to let go of my GF8 wagon that I have converted into a STI Version V replica WRX wagon. But I couldn't see spending more and more money to have the power. I then thought about a WRX engine swap but then I would probably have to replace a bunch of other items also. It looks pretty sweet though.

PJ