How many miles are on your 2nd gen Legacy?

[98LGTLover]

I have needed to get my steering rack replaced since 100k, Idk why mine went out so early.

[kaz98gt]

I'd love a 2.5 But I think I'll build the ol' 2.2 from the ground up. Port and polish, new internals, cam, gaskets...maybe turbo I'm getting way too ahead of myself. I don't know how many miles are on it, but right now the body sits at 154k with unknown miles on the 2.2

[Hops]

The 2.2 is a good motor... More reliable than the 2.5

[crossxc13]

190,000 1997 Leg Outback

[Frogg]

You're looking at $1,300-$2,500 for headgasket repair. It just depends on where you take it and how much work needs to be done.

local dealerships state 2500 to 3500(3500 is with timing belt and water pump)

[987687]

Don't take it to a dealer. You'll get better service at an independent subaru shop. Dealers don't deal much with older stuff anymore.

[Hops]

And they don't do a very good job, either. Small businesses that specialize in Subies take pride in their work. The dealership screwed up a lot of stuff on my cars and that was just warranty work.

[987687]

Just be careful what shop you take it to... There's a crook near me. Did the HGs on my friend's outback 40k ago, they're blowing again. External leak this time on a DOHC, weird. I'm gonna do the job this time, and do it right. They also messed up the clutch at the same time. And when I first got my car and didn't know how to work on cars, they crashed my car and DENIED it. It nearly went to court before he paid for it. So definitely ask around. Nearly totaled my beloved Legacy. I was so pissed.

[98LGTLover]

I take mine to a good little independent place and they charge like $1800 for doing everything necessary with the headgaskets and having the head machined. Timing belt is thrown it as long as you want to buy the belt, they don't charge labor on that since you are paying enough to have the gakets done.

[Hops]

Head gaskets SUCK. Only thing I dislike about my Subies, though.

[987687]

If you get one with an ej22 you don't have to give a rat's ass about head gaskets. They just work.

hence why I got an ej22 Legacy, and there's an ej22 going into my GL come summertime.

[Frogg]

Don't take it to a dealer. You'll get better service at an independent subaru shop. Dealers don't deal much with older stuff anymore.

there aren't any subaru specialists within 90 mintues of here. Which I guess isnt too bad but still a pain in the ass...

[987687]

That's a long way. But in my mind is worth it to save about $1000, and also have everything done right.

[Frogg]

Is it a good idea iyo to go for a 2.2L over the 2.5L even with the power loss? The 2.5 seems pepy enough but don't want to be hating life with a 2.2l. (manual fyi)

[subikid90]

If the headgaskets have been done or you can do them yourself then I would take the ej25. The ej22 has nothing wrong with it just less power. A legacy L with a ej22 is not bad, but an outback with an ej22 is underpowered.

[Frogg]

well i found 2 brightons that are 5spd so i wouldnt need to do a auto to 5spd swap. However, i'd still need to swap in power locks/windows and cluster with tach.

[subikid90]

For the cluster you dont need to swap the whole sluster, just find a tack out of another 2nd gen leggy and put it in place of the blank cover.

[Zues Marine]

i have a tach lying around i believe

[Frogg]

is it as simple as plugging it in? Edited November 20, 2010 by Frogg

[Zues Marine]

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14323 ^

[Frogg]

I was referring to the tach? thanks

[Zues Marine]

oh, yeah, the tach plugs right in...after screwing it into the gauge of course

[Frogg]

i just found this what u guys think?

 

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ctd/2069473351.html

[Zues Marine]

i vote you hold out for an L

[Hops]

i just found this what u guys think?

 

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ctd/2069473351.html

 

The mileage is right at where things start to go wrong. Have head gaskets been done? There are plenty with lower mileage for just a little bit more $.