When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Mines in the shop with ABW now having wide arch rear and flares fitted will start a thread when i get her back in a few weeks
Wicked...Keep me posted...I love the Wagon shape and don't know what Subaru were thinking when they made it narrow body I don't see what purpose it served...They look so much better fleshed out a bit so to speak. I am doing mine bit by bit. I haven't really noticed any width change to my track from fitting that subframe and rack yesterday though...but then again I think the total width from normal saloon track to V9 Widetrack is only 15mm overall (I don't know how much difference between saloon and wagon track) so that is going to be barely noticeable to the eye. So again I don't get why Subaru made the Wagon track narrower...I mean I haven't even fitted saloon wings yet and haven't needed to as everything still sits neatly inside the dimensions of my original Wagon front wings.
I have noticed the steering now has better weight to it and is a bit sharper into the bargain so all good so far. AFAIK the rear wide track effect is done by the length of the arms again so I may look out for arms or just get lucky again maybe with an entire subframe for pennies . Apparently the rear suspension can be a ballache if using saloon components as there is some rear end sag according to some sources....but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
As for the body...I just haven't made up my mind if I want to convert it to Blog or Hawk or just stay Bug...I already have a Prodrive Bug and love the look of the Prodrive looking one above but then that Hawk looks pretty mean as well. Decisions...decisions
The saloon and wagon track is identical, it was only the wheels on the wagons were a different size to match the narrow arches. Only the widetrack saloon was any different.
Get some saloon front wings - Oh I think that does mean changing the bumper too though. I briefly had a wagon but mine was an anniversary edition and came like that as standard. I sold it for a saloon.
The saloon and wagon track is identical, it was only the wheels on the wagons were a different size to match the narrow arches. Only the widetrack saloon was any different.
Hhhmmm...I am not saying you are wrong but the tie rods on the Wagon are shorter than the saloon as are the wishbones....different part numbers too WRX Wagon is 20202FE060, Saloon 20202FE260 and then 20202FE000 for the STI...but that is only for my model year. The list is even more exhaustive from then on for Blob and Hawk.
I speak from having found out the hard way and having the benefit of Subaru Fast ii EPC to compare part numbers and applications...after fitting STI alloy wishbones to my Wagon which as they were longer than the ones they replaced...resulted in mammoth toe in on my standard and narrower Wagon steering rack.
Get some saloon front wings - Oh I think that does mean changing the bumper too though. I briefly had a wagon but mine was an anniversary edition and came like that as standard. I sold it for a saloon.
I didn't realise the wrx's came with these seats either, they are well bolstered and have side airbags too apparently.
May be interested in saloon bugeye parts if you have some going, especially those headlights! bet the HID's aren't just plug and play with the standard bug loom though...
Well none of my wheels have detached themselves from my car yet but I have to admit, that article didn't fill me with confidence! Thanks for that
Have the saloon bumper too although posting would be a pain, have wings too but they need repairs so instead suggest you acquire wings from Mattybr5@MB Developments whom can be found in this section https://www.scoobynet.com/full-cars-...or-spares-438/
Had the timing belt and idler pulleys changed over last week in preparation for a trip to the ring next month. Turns out the previous belt was a tooth out on one side. The new belt has the engine running a bit smoother as a result (could be in my head though!)
The wagon's heavy oil usage has turned out to be a small leak. I originally though this would be the drivers side rocker cover gasket, but turns out its the oil filter housing/cooler that's cracked. Will be getting it replaced back end of this week along with the track rods and ends and a 4 wheel alignment.
I'm taking it to the Nurburgring this weekend, and literally everything that could go wrong before has gone wrong! Had a new clutch fitted (EXEDY OEM item) but the mechanic had the turbo apart while he was in there. Long story short, apparently the turbo was on the way out and disturbing it caused it to finally give up the ghost.
Drove home from the garage with the new clutch fitted and when I pulled up home I noticed smoke pouring out of the bonnet. The turbo had pissed out about a litre and a half of oil! This was last Saturday, and I'm due go to the ring tomorrow! Car is finished and will be getting collected today, hopefully that's the end of the bad luck for this car now...
This update is only about 3 months late, but the wagon performed really well on it's trip to and from the ring. Our motley convoy had a great laugh. We were at Sliders Guest house in Dollendorf. Couldn't recommend it enough as accommodation for a ring trip.
Our convoy consisted of the Wagon, an SLK 320, an e36 316 coupe (with 328 engine and running gear) and a StreetKa!
After spending the first rainy night at the guest house it cleared up for our first trip to the track. We set off early to try to avoid the majority of the ring traffic and parked up at the roundabout car park. As I had never driven the ring or been to a track day, I opted for a passenger lap with my mate in his e36.
It was going great until this happened...
So we both get it and rock up to the gate, we get through the cones, and he guns it! we get under the bridge and shoot towards the gentle right hander leading to the first corner. The car enters the right hander at approx 90mph, at which point the rear overtakes the front, and sent us spinning into the armco.
The car hits the armco twice and we finally come to a stop on the run-off on the left hand side of the first corner. Thank god no one was hurt! we got out and waited for the stewards to arrive. The car looks like ****, it looks like the trip is over for my friend, I end up at the recovery station with what was left of the car while he forks out for the damage to the track.
My first ever lap of the ring was from the passenger seat of a tow truck
After we had all re-grouped, my friend had decided that the car was salvageable, and luckily, with the e36 being so common at the ring, Brendan from the guest house knew a bloke who had a barn full of parts! So that afternoon, the bimmer was picked up from the recovery station and stripped and re-built as much as we could in order to drive it back to england!
As it turned out, 90% of the damage was just panel damage. With the new panels on, the car was prepped to drive back. It was one hell of an adventure for the space of one afternoon!
Ready for the trip back to England
Thankfully, the rest of the trip was far less eventful, We spent the Sunday at the ring again with one vehicle less
Managed to find a Belgian blob wagon in 02C
Spotted on touristfotos
Surprisingly, we made it back to the UK without any issues after stopping at Brussels and Bruges on the way back. Some minor ferry issues in Dunkirk caused us to miss our ferry due to the closure of Calais. Even after being stopped at customs un the UK, nobody seemed to notice that my mates front bumper was on his back seat rather than the front of his car!
To sum it up, cold tyres + wet track + too much right foot = a bad time. Lesson learned? well I guess we'll see next year!
08 April 2015, 12:26 PM
I don't see what purpose it served...They look so much better fleshed out a bit so to speak. I am doing mine bit by bit. I haven't really noticed any width change to my track from fitting that subframe and rack yesterday though...but then again I think the total width from normal saloon track to V9 Widetrack is only 15mm overall (I don't know how much difference between saloon and wagon track) so that is going to be barely noticeable to the eye. So again I don't get why Subaru made the Wagon track narrower...I mean I haven't even fitted saloon wings yet and haven't needed to as everything still sits neatly inside the dimensions of my original Wagon front wings.
. Apparently the rear suspension can be a ballache if using saloon components as there is some rear end sag according to some sources....but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
