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Old 07-19-2003, 01:46 PM   #1
stimpy
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Default Model Codes and What They Really Mean

A lot of people throw around GC8, BC/BF, GGA, GDB, etc, but often times people don't really know what they mean. These are chassis/engine combinations for various model codes of Subarus. Some of these terms are being used interchangably, when they must be uniquely identified.

When referring to a chassis alone, you use the first two characters of the model code.

1993-2001 Impreza Chassis:
Sedan: GC
Coupe: GM
Wagon: GF

2002 - 2007 Impreza Chassis:
Sedan: GD
Wagon: GG

2007 - 20013 Impreza Chassis:
Sedan: GE
Hatch: GH
Widebody hatch: GR
Widebody sedan: GV

1990-1994 Legacy Chassis:
Sedan: BC
Wagon: BF
(Yes, the C and F indicate the same chassis as Imprezas)

1995-1999 Legacy Chassis:
Sedan: BD
Outback Wagon: BG (Raised roof)
Wagon: BK

2000+ Legacy Chassis:
Sedan: BE
Wagon: BH

Forester Chassis:
1998-2002: SF
2003-2008: SG
2008-2013: SH

SVX Chassis:
1992-1997: CX


The third character refers to the engine that particular chassis was equipped with from the factory. The engine code itself implies engine size, configuration, and other things like radiator type and crossmember used.

Due to some confusion on the VIN versus the applied model code, the table has been revised to show Model Codes and VINs.

Applied Model Codes:
1.8L (NA-Impreza): 5 (ie: GC5 is a 1.8L Impreza Sedan)
2.0L (pre-MY01 WRX): 8 (ie: GC8 is a 2.0L Impreza WRX Sedan)
2.0L (MY01+ WRX): A (ie: GGA is a 2.0L Impreza WRX Wagon)
2.0L (MY02+ WRX STi): B (ie: GDB is a 2.0L Impreza WRX STi Sedan)
2.2L (NA): C (ie: GFC is a 2.2L Impreza Wagon)
2.5L (NA-Impreza): E (ie: GME is a 2.5L Impreza Coupe)
2.5L (NA-Legacy): 6 (ie: BE6 is a 2.5L Legacy Sedan)
2.5L (XT): 6 (ie: SG6 is a 2.5L Forester XT)
2.5L (STi): 6 (ie: GD6 is a 2.5L Impreza WRX STi Sedan)
3.0L (H6): 9 (ie: BE9 is a 3.0L Legacy Sedan)


VIN Chassis Codes:
1.8L: 2 (ie: GC2 is a 1.8L Impreza Sedan)
2.0L: 2 (ie: GD2 is a 2.0L Impreza WRX Sedan)
2.2L: 4 (ie: GF4 is a 2.2L Impreza Wagon)
2.5L (NA and XT): 6 (ie: GM6 is a 2.5L Impreza Coupe)
2.5L (STi): 7 (ie: GD7 is a 2.5L Impreza WRX STi Sedan)
3.0L (H6): 8 (ie: BH8 Is a 3.0L Legacy Wagon)
3.3L (H6): 3 (ie: CX3 is a 3.3L SVX)


Some of this information is trivial, but in some cases being specific will ensure the correct answer to your question.

Specific model code indication required:
If you are requesting fitment of a radiator into a GFA, there are two things to consider: GF indicates pre-MY02 Impreza chassis, while A indicates it is a 2.0L turbo engine. For a vendor to simply reply saying that, yes, they have a GC8 radiator ( when it is really a GC4/6 radiator) does NOT mean it will apply to your application. It does means it will fit the GC/GF chassis, however. Since you have a turbo engine (A), it means you probably do not want a radiator designed for a naturally aspirated engine (6).

Specific model code indication not required:
If you ask if a STi V6 drivetrain will fit into a GC8 chassis, then of course it will. That is the exact car the engine is in. However, if you are asking if it will fit into a GC/GF chassis (or maybe just GF4 specifically), then your question is less ambiguous as to what you are trying to do. However, it is obvious to see what is being asked.

-Jon

Last edited by Hondaslayer; 03-23-2013 at 05:15 PM.
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Old 07-20-2003, 06:19 PM   #2
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your missing one major body style legacy 2000+
could also add
GCE and GME (2000-2001 2.5 RSs)


<-true GC8
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Old 07-20-2003, 09:18 PM   #3
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Quote:
2.0L (pre-MY02 WRX STi): 8 (ie: GC8 is a 2.0L Impreza WRX STi Sedan)
The 8 just means 2 liter turbo, not necessarily an STi engine. And you mean pre-MY01, not MY02.
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Old 07-20-2003, 11:10 PM   #4
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great post!

i agree that someone shouldn't be throwing around alphabet soup if they have no clue what they are talking about...the more specific you can be, the better.
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Old 07-21-2003, 01:09 AM   #5
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1995+ Legacy Chassis:
Sedan: BD
Outback Wagon: BG
Wagon: BK


i had never heard of the "BK"

over on legacy.central.org we just use bg for all wagons and we even do that on the legacy forum on this site.
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Old 07-21-2003, 03:33 PM   #6
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This is what I used for some of the information: http://www.northursalia.com/t...s/vin/vin.html . Using this, I was assuming the nomenclature was derived from just the VIN. Upon further investigation, it looks like its actually the model code, not the VIN. See here: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...t=forester+vin .

garface, I wasn't sure if the '8' was 2.0L turbo or just STi. I also spaced the MY01 vs MY02 in other countries.

Jaxx, I have no information on the 2000+ Legacies. I had thought there was another chassis redesign in there somewhere, but I don't have any docs detailing that. I'd need somebody with those models to jump on here and fill me in.

GCE and GME? Are you sure on that one? My 2000 RS is JF1GM6... Perhaps, did the VIN stay the same but the applied model code changed to GCE/GME to indicate the SOHC engine? My MY96 Wagon VIN is JF1GF6, but the applied model code is GFC. My MY02 WRX Wagon VIN is JF1GG2, but the applied model code is GGA. It looks to me like somebody has confused the two and so now we have a mixture of VINs and model codes. So which is correct? GG2 or GGA? GF6 or GFC?

I'm now confused and I wrote this dang post.

-Jon
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Old 07-21-2003, 04:04 PM   #7
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applied model code

well think about it the thrid letter identfies the engine
98 rs had the ej25d
99 had the ej253
00-01 had the 251

i assume that the "6" is the dohc 2.5 version ..i just bought this up as i was looking at a vin on a 01 the other day it was a GCE (applied model code)

look at this thread it has the vin plate for a sti and a forester xt http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...ighlight=ej255
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Old 07-21-2003, 05:21 PM   #8
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I don't have the applied model codes for any 2.5RS. All I have to go on for those is the actual VIN, which to my knowledge, were all GM6 or GC6; where 6 is 2500cc AWD.

It's curious, but the Forester XT and the GC/GM RS both share the same engine code in the VIN.

I guess GC8 would almost certainly be the applied model code because when we are talking VINs, there was no such thing as a GC8 in the US. It seems to me that the term GM6 and GF4 were incorrectly derived when the GC8 term was thrown around originally.

-Jon
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Old 07-21-2003, 08:09 PM   #9
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just so that we are all confused the applied model code on my 93 sedan 1.8 is GC6 the vin is GC2
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Old 07-21-2003, 11:33 PM   #10
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where is the thread that says what cars came with which turbos?
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Old 07-22-2003, 01:23 AM   #11
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I've got the identification pages for all of the newer Imprezas, Legacies, and Foresters. It gives a definitve answer to what each item means in the VIN and the model code. The codes seem to be model line specific as some overlap with different meanings...

ie: Model code for the 1993-2001 Impreza has the following meanings:

G : Series : Impreza
C : Body Style : C: Sedan, F: Station Wagon/Outback Sport, M: Coupe
C : Engine displacement, Drive system, Suspension system : C: 2.2L AWD, E: 2.5L AWD

I'l update the entire list with the information at a late date. It's bedtime right now.

-Jon
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Old 07-26-2003, 03:32 PM   #12
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Default ummm........

Jon,
You're an animal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need someone like you working in the subaru parts department here!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 08-16-2003, 06:09 PM   #13
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I believe this link will give you everything you need concerning JDM WRX's MY93-MY00:

http://www.iwoc.co.uk/jpimp4.html


Cheers,

MattC
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Old 09-07-2003, 01:16 AM   #14
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FWIW,
My Canadian cars VINs are:
GF4 - 'MY97, 5 door, 2.2l SOHC
BK6 - MY 99, Legacy GT wagon, 2.5l DOHC
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Old 09-09-2003, 08:03 PM   #15
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Default correction

correction:
My 94 Impreza L model code w/ the EJ18 is GC6 and is badged that way on the driver side shock tower.
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Old 10-07-2003, 07:01 PM   #16
Dennis ex24
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i dont know how many of you guys have seen the 22B in person, but there is a VIN tag on the drivers side strut tower...

the 22B is obviously a 2 door coupe, and the designation stamped on the tag is GC8 from what i recall.
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Old 10-09-2003, 01:58 PM   #17
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BC/BF's were made from 90-94 in the us
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Old 10-12-2003, 10:31 PM   #18
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Correction:

SF is 98-02
SG is 03 and 04
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Old 10-14-2003, 10:58 AM   #19
stimpy
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Default Re: correction

Quote:
Originally posted by Homemade WRX
correction:
My 94 Impreza L model code w/ the EJ18 is GC6 and is badged that way on the driver side shock tower.
Would you mind posting your VIN and your applied model code for me? You can pm me the info if you would rather.

Being as I have never seen the plate for a 22B, I cannot comment one way or the other.

-Jon
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Old 10-24-2003, 10:36 AM   #20
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You forgot one!

92-97 SVX

Chassis code CX3

Engine code EG33 3.3L Flat 6


Transmission attachment is identical to an EJ series motor. Any EJ series transmission can be used with an EG motor.
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Old 10-24-2003, 12:08 PM   #21
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I added it in, but please verify it is correct.

I put CX3 as the VIN Chassis code. If that is incorrect, please let me know. If you have the applied model code please post that as well.

-Jon
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Old 10-25-2003, 12:14 AM   #22
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I have an Aussie MY03 XS Forester and my Compliance Plate reads as follows:

SG9AK7K

Our Subies must be designated differently as mine being a SG9 it is definitely not a Turbo or am I missing something here in the translation of the codes or they have stripped out the Turbo on the ship while it was being imported
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Old 11-14-2003, 03:43 AM   #23
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How familiar are people on here with the older codes. There are quite a few 80's cars that are being converted to the newer EJ motors, so it would be good for people to understand the older Gen's. Like Gen I's are pre 1982, Gen II's are 1982-84 for coupes and wagons and through 87 for hatchbacks and Brats, Gen III's are the "Loyale" cars from 1985 untill the Legacy line (early 90's).
The engine in these cars are broken down also, lotsa people don't really get the pre EJ numbers, EA71 is a 1.6L OHV, EA81 is 1.8L OHV, EA82 is 1.8L SOHC, and the ER27 is 2.7L SOHC H6.
These motors came with a variety of fuel systems as well, T designation is always turbo as EA81T or EA82T. The EA81 was the first turbocharged Subaru engine put into production (This is the car that I own, the Great Grandmother of the WRX).
Among the EA82 engine series there were a number of fuel systems. Carb'd is pretty easy 2bbl, which is a 2 barrel hitachi, feed back carburetor. Then there is SPFI, Single Point Fuel Injection, which was Subaru's way of saying Throttle body injection. MPFI is still used today, so no description needed. All of the turbo models were MPFI, and the ER27 only came as NA MPFI.
Gen I cars are EA71 powered, Gen II's are EA81 cars, and Gen III's are EA82 cars, the XT-6 (ER27) is considered a Gen III with the NA and Turbo Xt's.
Hope this helps out some people.
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Old 02-23-2004, 12:49 PM   #24
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What about a USDM 93 Impreza L 1.8? Mine says GC5...Could this be the first version of the Impreza?
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Old 02-23-2004, 02:17 PM   #25
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What says GC5? The VIN or the applied model code?

-Jon
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