About a 1989 Leone/GL AWD Turbo Wagon

[Escher]

I’ve been going (car) crazy during COVID.

First, I bought a new-to-me 2012 Outback 6MT, to replace the 2006 Forester 4EAT as my daily driver. Now, I am tempted to pick up a project car, even though I need another car like a hole in my head.

The tempting car is a 1989 Subaru GL Turbo AWD Wagon (Leone in Oz?), located a 90 min drive south of me. It has the EA82T 1.8l turbo motor, which was top of the line back then. Unfortunately, it has the 4-speed automatic transmission, and it’s pretty much dead.

In my dreams, I would buy this old turbo wagon as a project and “collector” car. The idea would be to remove the dead automatic and replace it with the 5-speed with the dual-range transfer case from the Australian market.

Q1: Is this auto to manual conversion doable on a Subaru of this vintage?

Q2: Should I just accept to be stuck with the US market 4-speed auto?

Q3: Or am I a fool for even thinking about burdening myself with such an old car, and should just give up on the whole idea?

 

[Ratbag]

I would think that, at the very least, you would need a manual donor vehicle of the same year/model.

Many necessary parts may not be otherwise obtainable.

 

[Escher]

Thanks, @Ratbag ! That makes sense.

There are obviously a lot more parts of the drivetrain involved in an auto-to-manual conversion than just swapping out the transmission itself. Electronics and wiring harness come to mind as well. If I need a complete manual donor vehicle, that’s a huge undertaking (for me personally).

This leads me to believe that if I want to take on this car as a project, I probably need to accept being stuck with a 4-speed automatic. From what I gather, at least it was a decent automatic for its time, and a major upgrade from Subaru’s previous 3-speed auto.

The biggest question is probably whether it’s smart for me to take on a project car at all. I passed on two separate Legacy GT Spec.B sedans over the past few months. This even though I really want something with a turbo. The rationale was that if I really wanted a turbo, I could drop a WRX motor in my 6MT Outback. That still holds true and would speak against the 1989 Leone, even if it’s a (to me) highly desirable AWD turbo wagon.

 

[jf1sf5]

I have driven one on a long trip through Switzerland many years ago....maybe 28 ! Loved it ! It was a manual 5mt dual range turbo 136 hp wagon.

It is much easier to convert from auto to manual because there is no electronics on the manual gearbox so you don't need any wiring, but you will need the shifter and all the plastic trims to make it look oem, and maybe is the shaft different too.

 

[El_Freddo]

General Disorder on the USMB will tell you to walk away as “it’s a dead platform, you can’t get oil pumps for the EA82” etc.

To me it all comes down to the body - if it’s rusted out forget about it. Without a good body you don’t have much to work with.

In this case, the issue will be the auto box, once that’s sorted I reckon you’ll be left with the want for more power. Next option:

WRX drive train conversion. “Easy” in this L series/Leone as you ha e the EFI fuel system and the notch in the engine crossmember for the turbo up-pipe. And the EJ20 or EJ25 turbo engine will fit in easily. Then it’s down to gearbox options. Go the five speed or the six? I know the five speed fits. Don’t know about the six speed - but this is a project right??

At a minimum you’ll need a manual pedal box and the centre console.

It’ll be a pile of fun if done right. And it’s done time and time again. Just look up Niko on almost any subaru based site (I don’t think he’s on this one though!) - he’s built an “STi” Leone sedan and is in the process of building a wagon in the same fashion. This one had a complete respray that I could only ever dream of! Sick work and parts collecting!

Going back to the stock drivetrain, the EA82 isn’t much chop. I’d put an EA81 in its place if I got another wagon on the road and didn’t do the EJ swap. The EA82 loves to hold its oil like a sieve. If you manage to seal it up count (and enjoy) the days before it starts again.

All the best with it. What’s your gut telling you? And are you confident you can see your plan through to finalisation?

Cheers

Bennie

 

[ABFoz]

Q1: Is this auto to manual conversion doable on a Subaru of this vintage?

Yes.

Q2: Should I just accept to be stuck with the US market 4-speed auto?

It may not be as efficient as the late 90's 4EATs but a better performance ATF can help with the fluid-drive/shifting performance.

Q3: Or am I a fool for even thinking about burdening myself with such an old car, and should just give up on the whole idea?

Human life is short. Projects such as these can help a man clear his mind (as long as the wife approves).

To me it all comes down to the body - if it’s rusted out forget about it. Without a good body you don’t have much to work with.

Totally agree even with any vehicle. Some people sell their mechanically-sound vehicles at a price but the body is already falling apart. The mechanical side is much more doable than the body repair/repaint.

WRX drive train conversion. “Easy” in this L series/Leone as you ha e the EFI fuel system and the notch in the engine crossmember for the turbo up-pipe. And the EJ20 or EJ25 turbo engine will fit in easily. Then it’s down to gearbox options. Go the five speed or the six? I know the five speed fits. Don’t know about the six speed - but this is a project right??

^This. 80's to early 90's cars have so much wiggle room to do custom mounts with. One can take his time creating his own brackets for whatever purpose/upgrade.

I believe Washington does not have limitations to engine mods/swaps except for 5 counties requiring emissions testing. Not sure about transmission swaps.

 

[Dave Hansford]

If it’s any help, I owned two Leone turbos in succession, both manuals. One had the locking centre diff, and I swapped in the lower-ratio transfer cog from a N/A manual. It remains one of my favourite cars ever. If you pull this off, you won’t regret it.