Crazy cheap BH9 build

So i got this car while on leave visiting my parents. I wanted another Lego ever since I sold my 08 Spec.B (worst decision I ever made). Although this is a far cry from the B I have been wanting to build one for a while.

 

Parts & cost so far

 

2001 Legacy L 5sp wagon $350

Clutch kit $216

Iridium spark plugs $28.80

Tension pulley $60.79

Power steering refresh kit $15.69

Fluids $76

Resurfaced flywheel $40

Fuse kit $12.50

Tail light bulb $6.89

Gaskets $58.80

Radiator $110.00

 

Total: $958.78

 

 

WAITING IN CALIFORNIA

 

JDM Kouki HID headlights: $228.60

JDM B4 GRILLE $47.89

 

Total: $276.49

 

Grand total: $1,236.27

 

Goals is to get the little rust bits repaired, full JDM RSK front, side skirts and rear plus the roof rails and put a newer 2.0 Turbo from the 05-09 LGTs there.

 

 

 

 

Day. 1 pulled the motor, replaced the Clutch, rear seal, timing cover and flywheel. Here are some photos of the nugget

 

 

 

 

she/he/it was dirty! The release bearing was shot (cause of no clutch) but everything else looked decent, but got replaced anyway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I power washed everything

 

 

 

 

Got it all put back together and in the car all in one day. About 7-8 hours of work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited August 31, 2019 by GipsySpec.B

Update, I think I or my friend accidentally hit the radiator. Now it leaks and I'm off to get a new one off the local classifieds. Got a new one. Edited August 28, 2019 by GipsySpec.B

Things went tits up a bit, Everything is back in and looks good but when we started it the car stuttered, threw a P0430 code which has to do with the Camshaft sensor. Checked the sensor, it's all good. But for some odd reason the belt is traveling a bit.

 

After triple checking EVERYTHING regarding the timing and cam shaft positioning and such. We downed a few beers and decided the only thing could it could be is either the last person who did the timing (which appeared to have been recent) used the either the wrong sized tensioner, or due to the leaking power steering that warped the timing cover (that we replaced). Or the leak, had caused the belt to have a bit of grease and had some clear signs of catching and a lot of discolouration on the tensioner itself so might be warped.

 

New tensioner arrives tomorrow.

Little update and advise. Don’t power wash your engine bay without covering all wiring harness connections OR just insure they are dry. That what cost the misfire and P0350 code for the cam sensor, the engine harness connection was SOAKED.

 

 

Anywho iridium spark plugs, new tension pulley and she is running like a champ! Once I drive back to Cali i’ll start addressing some of the small issues and begin prepping for what i hope to be a fun project!

 

 

 

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She made it to California like a champ! zero issues and aside from a little clunkyness from the bad top hats in the front she was quiet.

 

I had my JDM headlights already waiting for me and some BC coilovers on the way. Going to check out a few Outbacks and Legacy GTs at some local pick and pulls to see what I can snag, maybe some interior bits, would like to swap in the 03-04 center console so I can have 3 cup holders up front. Also looking for the body matched door bits instead of these cheaper looking plastics that it has now.

 

The Koukis are going in today!

 

Or so i had hoped. Apparently they require an adapter that I wasn’t aware of. Anyone know a good place to source one?

 

 

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Edited August 31, 2019 by GipsySpec.B

So I returned the headlights because finding that adapter not in 100+ unit bulk was turning out impossible. So I’ll just wait for now.

 

 

I got trim pieces at a pick and pull off an 03 outback and tried my hand at vinyl wrapping. I honestly like the look, especially with the new shift boot that has white thread.

 

Got a Tsudo exhaust for $80 off Craigslist and threw it on, catless with a resonator but of course runs short because it is meant for a sedan. Luckily i know a guy who runs a great local shop and I’m having a silencer/baffle/glasspack or whatever you want to call it thrown in so I maintain the sound but not the loudness. Bonus is it’ll push the tip out so it sits better.

 

Got everything to treat the rust spots so i’ll be doing that starting this week.

 

 

 

 

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Installed my BC coils and absolutely love it, gotta raise the back a little but it feels awesome.

 

What’s a good cheap rear sway upgrade?

 

 

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wait, I thought this was a cheap build:lol: those coils had to of cost more than what you bought the car for. but i do enjoy lurking though this thread keep up the good work.

 

Cheap rear sways would be from an gt, outback, Baja would all be an upgrade. Baja being the thickest one at 17mm

A good upgrade for wagons is a rear strut tower brace. It really stiffens that big open area. Even the quick release one. Of course you do have to cut some rear plastic trim panels a little.

Yeah the coils cost 4 times what the car did but what can I say, I got carried away. I'll definitely look into getting that rear strut brace! I just got new rear endlinks to replace the broken one and to keep the new parts bit symmetrical.

 

I welcome all lurking. haha.