I'm new to Subaru, I own a Ranger, but I'm thinking about getting rid of it for an Impreza. I found a '95 L, that I kind of like and I'm not sure what drivetrain it has yet (waiting on a response from the dealer... it's farish away, and since it didn't specify AWD, I'm assuming it's 2WD).

I hear that swapping in AWD is a major pain, why exactly is this?

Also, what would be the easiest swap to do? I hear the 1.8 is kind of weak (110 hp?), and would like something with more pep.

I saw some threads explaining it, but I think they were assuming more knowledge than I have...

Thanks for any help!

First- do a search. All the questions you think of have been answered already.

Pretty much any modern ('93 and newer) subaru engine will drop right into the engine compartment and bolt up to any modern subaru tranny.

Swapping in AWD wouldn't be that hard, just a lot of work.

im about to start my awd swap, and its easiest if you can find a awd donor car thats been wrecked or something, but it would be easier to just find one thats awd already. you can source the parts individually, rear end parts are easy (legacies and any impreza will work, same with tranny) but youll need an impreza gas tank anyways.
i was able to get a running awd impreza for 1000 bucks because it was totalled. ill be able to sell stuff off of it to make some money back even. everything will be bolt up, hard? no, just time consuming.