Curious of people's opinion

Subytim

Subytim

Forum Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2014
Messages
46
Location
Ipswich, QLD Australia
Car Year
1991
Car Model
L series
Transmission
Auto
This may cause a fuss but I am wanting to know people's thoughts on a choosing between modifying an L series with EJ22 motor and running gear for the 4 speed auto.

Or upgrading to a forester automatic both cars will eventually be getting 2 inch lift. Which is likely to be more capable offroad?

Main reason for me tossing this up in the air is that the past 12 months most of the work I have put into this car has mostly been on the current EA82 so if I was to EJ convert the car I am still going to have to go through that all again and if I upgrade to a forry chances are I will need to do all of the things again like timing belts rocker gaskets and so on.
 
here's my thoughts on any auto you choose.

You want to use a JDM Legacy or 97-98 WRX VTD Auto. (I'm unsure what other AUDM models had them fitted)
they have the rear-biased centre, and a stronger clutch-pack arrangement, which is able to be switched into "full lock" mode simply.

the MPT boxes are the 90:10 FWD** biased boxes and don;t take the punishment anywhere near aswell

one of the locals down here (may be a member, he is on Ausubaru) has an EJ22 and VTD auto powered brumby,
it's pretty much unstoppable

**FWD bias is only when cruising on light throttle, any TPS movement scales the centre lockup up to 50:50 distrubution
 
Modded l series, and grab some of the nice bits from a touring wagon.

More space in the l, cheaper parts, easier to find at wreckers. Foresters more comfy on road and arguably a safer vehicle.
 
Foresters definitely safer, 8 layers of steel in the A & B pillars :biggrin:

Foresters have much better approach & departure angles due to very short overhangs.

L series has more cargo space.

Forester already has the EJ engine, if you go SF its the EJ20, a little underpowered but not bad. SG has the EJ25, heaps more low down torque for offroad.

In manual form, L series has the better locking gearbox, but as you're going auto that doesnt matter.

As Robbks said, def go the VTD. Much better centre locking. The MPT is basically a FWD that only sends power to the rear when its too late ( lost grip therefore momentum). The VTD can lock the centre, I think thats just with the push of a button.
 
NachaLuva said:
Foresters definitely safer, 8 layers of steel in the A & B pillars :biggrin:

Foresters have much better approach & departure angles due to very short overhangs.

L series has more cargo space.

Forester already has the EJ engine, if you go SF its the EJ20, a little underpowered but not bad. SG has the EJ25, heaps more low down torque for offroad.

In manual form, L series has the better locking gearbox, but as you're going auto that doesnt matter.

As Robbks said, def go the VTD. Much better centre locking. The MPT is basically a FWD that only sends power to the rear when its too late ( lost grip therefore momentum). The VTD can lock the centre, I think thats just with the push of a button.
Click to expand...

Having owned both an L series and an SG Foz I'd say they're both similar but different cars. The Forester will handle and drive better on the open road due to its full-time setup vs the PT4wd 3AT in the L-series (same gearbox as my one had). It's a much safer car, I wouldn't have wanted to have been in the L series when my Foz was hit!

To get the VTD centre 'diff' in an auto Foz, you need to buy a turbo model? I may be mistaken however. I didn't think it had a locking option from the factory but apparently installing a lockup switch isn't too difficult.

Again, having owned both an L and a Foz, I would have to say the approach angle of an L is much better as the bumper doesn't sit as low. Departure is better on a Foz though as the overhang is shorter (boot floor is around 15cm longer in an L-series).
I was surprised when I bought the Foz at how much smaller the boot was! The L series has a massive boot for a car of its sixe, it's a Tardis back there! Mainly due to the rear suspension design and the underbonnet spare. Funny thing is that the backseat of the L series Touring Wagon was a little roomier then the Foz's too IMO, although the front seat is a lot tighter and the bonnet/dashboard shorter with a more vertical windscreen.
It's a pity Subaru didn't make the L series safer and fit it with an EJ from the factory, it would have been the true ultimate subaru.

But I have to say buy a turbo VTD Foz, lock the centre, fit some tyres and you're away. Ground clearance is much better than a factory L, especially with an SG.
 
thanks guys yeah I am hoping ill be able to save up for an XT SG if not ill have to settle for an XS SG.
 
^ Gidday Tim

If a series I SG, get an XT. The N/A EJ-251 only gets to 80% of maximum torque at around 2200 rpm, and drops below 80% by around 5600 rpm

If a series II SG, the EJ-253 gives you heaps of low rev torque (80+% of maximum from about 1200 rpm, and still at 90+% at 6300 rpm).

They are chalk and cheese to drive!

Turbo versions have their own joys and pains ... :poke:
 
Thats a good point, the '06-'07 NA SG is a very nice car to drive with a very nice torquey engine & a smooth dual range gearbox.

The XT is very nice but you'll pay a premium price for a good early model one. For the same or less, you can get a really good, low km late NA SG, which is arguably better offroad anyway. Downside is I'm not sure about availability of the VTD in the NA.

PM Pezimm, he has a '07 XT with VTD. He has extensive knowledge of these & will be able to help you
 
You can convert the MPT auto to a VDT type automatic. If I didn't already have more or less all of the best manual bits I'd probably go this way with the pre-facelift SG XT auto and a VDT conversion.
Good how to here: https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/mpt-vtd-conversion-37441/

Or even better I think would be an NA auto with VTD and a Raptor supercharger kit, which I think would actually be simpler and better offroad over the turbo.
 
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