Running FWD Impreza

[ZenDriver]

Okay, so here's the deal...kind long

I was going to do an AWD conversion + JDM ej20 or ej22t, the whole 9 yards on a 93 Impreza. After several weeks and lots of headaches trying to figure out how I could #1 afford this and #2 make it as easy as possible I found that it's a bigger project than I thought and I could easily spend $10K on it.

So forget it, but in the process of paying more attention to my car I found that I really like its fwd performance even with the little 1.8 engine. As my daily driven car it has been flawless. I like driving it more than my RS. As I continue to push the little 1.8 harder I'm seeing that it's just a marvelously strong little engine.

I have this P1 suspension sitting in my garage I found another 1.8 and 2.2 with 60K on it from an auto (cheap). I have these gold 98 RS wheels with Toyo RA1's. I found these 00 RS seats. I can get a good deal on a paint job.

Now... the big question.


HOW DO I USE THE P1 SUSPENSION ON MY 93 IMPREZA? Okay I take out the fwd rear knuckles and replace it with AWD rear knuckles. Is that it? Is it that easy or am I missing something here?

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[scoobyimprza]

IIRC, when you replace the rear nuckles, you have to replace the e-brake line, and then you have to replace this, and then you have to replace that, and eventually you end up with AWD. That's all I know though. Good luck.

Imagine your FWD with turbo.
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[scobaru]

Go RWD

[supermoose]

okay. i remember you. we talked a bunch. dont know if u remember or if i told you clearly, but to run AWD rear struts on your car will require some work.

the AWD rear knuckle is not the same geometry as the FWD rear knuckle. if u wish to run AWD rear struts then u will need to spend some money. a bit of time as well. u might as well upgrade a bunch of stuff at the same time too.

okay, so the deal is this: AWD rear strut will not fit the back of your car as is. it wont bolt on to the knuckle at the bottom due to clearance issues, if u take care of the clearance issue with a grinder or somthing like that to the bottom of the struts, your tire will hit the bell hat that holds the bottom of the spring up.

so the key to fitting any AWD rear strut is to have AWD rear knuckles.........wait it gets better though.......


so to fit AWD rear knuckles which are WIDER than the FWD rear knuckles, u need to have wider mounting points, which requires using the AWD rear X-member.

if u swap AWD rear x-member in, u need the AWD rear gas tank to clearance that. and added to the business, u need rear disc brakes to bolt to the AWD rear hubs, an pair of AWD rear lateral control arms bc the bushings are differnt ID, and the sway bar convevrsion added for bonus, AWD impreza rear e-brake cables are needed, and to top it all off u need a AWD impreza exhaust bc the FWD one wont clear.

so u need to set aside about $1500 and get all those parts. then u will have rear disc, rear sway bar, difernt exahust and most importnatly, differnet rear shocks.

is it worth it? i did it. ran around FWD for a couple years and loved it.

oh yeha, u need some dummy axels in teh back to keep the hubs togeather.......dont ask how i know, but i have some in my attic.........


h

[tbd]

given the right sources you might be able to do this on the cheap.
1) you need a source for parts, preferably from one car, & all hardware.
2) you should plan for mods in the future & try to adjust for them now so you don't have to replace a part you swap in. (eg: if you plan a later model swap & need the 02 wrx fuel tank, choose one of those now.)
3) understand that you'll be pulling what is essentially the entire rear half of an impreza, forester (any year) or legacy (90-99) for all parts involving the rear driveline, but the propshaft. (longitudinal driveshaft) this includes support members subframes & carriers & hardware. In your case you'll likely need to swap out the fuel tank also, Scobaru has multiple threads on this. pay attention to the year of fuel tank & ratio of the rear diff, in case there's the possibility you'll need to know them in the future. you'll also need an axle back exhaust from the donor car to clear the rear axle.
4)Apparently it seems that the wider track on gd cars comes from the control arms, not the hubs. The rear subframe from the newer cars also bolts in. Since some are running the STI drivetrain & axles on the gc bodies w/o a hitch, you may be able to do the same w/ the wrx axles, not sure though.
5)Its easier to just pull the entire rear drivetrain off in one piece & bolt it onto your car (~4 hour job, given good tools & workplace)
6)which Long Beach are you at? SoCal? NY? I'm in torrance, & I managed to find all my parts for awd strut 4w disc setup for less than $300. PM me if you're local, I have an idea of who can find you a great rate on near new parts, either now or in the near future. (he's local also)

tony

[ZenDriver]

I knew you would know the answer Supermoose. Thanks. I thought this was the case, but I wasn't exactly sure why.

[electricpork]

if u pick the same year fuel tank from an AWD impreza, u can get around wiring for the pump, i got a 93 AWD and it just all fit right in..

h

[scobaru]

it will fit in but you'll still have to wire up the fuel pump its not that hard tho I'm sure if you look at it just match everything up

[supermoose]

it will fit right in. as in the plug will plug right up and it will work just fine. that are the idea.

h

[Imprezd]

Zen,

Just in case alll of that really put you off on swapping to awd... i have a AWD setrup for sale... Including a ej22 for $500. Complete switching over.. or you can just buy the awd stuff for $300 its taking up space and has to go..

P.s for the few days my ej20 was fwd... it was a complete smoke show... on 10 psi.

Imprezd~

[scobaru]

I'd take him up on that offer reallllllllyyy good price

[SubaruImpreza_power]

Wow... I wished I saw this back in Dec. I would of jumped all over that like crazy!