- Rev A-C outback, dual range 5MT
- EJ208 transplant.
- MRT stainless 3" turbo back w/ divorced wastegate dumps.
- RSK 20mm front, whiteline 20mm rear swaybar
- RSK/GT-B leather/cloth front seats
- VDO boost gauge (vent install)
- alloy front LCA's
- JDM momo wheel
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Here's how it started:
I have a manual Gen3 OB with a very sick 2.5. Its burning oil on #1 cyl and has been doing so for quite some time... getting worse and worse and I finally need to do something about it before I get defected or forget to top off the oil and self-destruct it. The cars done ~250k.
It hasn't been diagnosed, but I'm thinking its dropped a valve guide or maybe an oil ring or land has gone. I even replaced the valve stem seals some time back in a vain hope that was the problem - nope.
So its time for a fix and I figure why not make it a car I want to drive that's also practical. Sure, its a moderate sized, lifted wagon, but it still handles pretty well and is a blast to drive on dirt, even with a bootfull of camping gear and three kids in the back.
I've got my eyes on doing a turbo swap. I've been trolling through the build threads here - very enlightening and educational (I just got a good laugh out of Josh's swap http://www.subyclub....oshs-whitekong/. inspirational!)
What I'd like:
- keep the dual-range box. Its good for getting up our steep driveway with a cold engine and we do a bit of dirt with the kids some times (camping etc). Its remarkably handy.
- most of the swap myself. The car is not primary transport, so I can spend some time on it. I'll have to source an engine hoist (hire, or buy/sell). I've done clutches, CV's, gearbox swaps (FWD) and pulled a (mini) engine before, so I figure the mechanical side isn't out of reach; its the next step up in my mechanical education

- do a full service on the donor (timing belt, water pump, idler etc ) before it goes in. This goes without saying.
- Wiring.. this sounds like either an epic shitfight, or a $1000 job for someone who knows what they're doing (AMAuto). This is pushing me towards a B4 TT to minimise the wiring changeover. Front cuts for the TT also seem to be a bit cheaper, presumably because of their bad rep.
- I'm not after monster power. I want a reliable driver with a bit of poke.
- I figure a budget of $5k should easily do it. $2.5k for a cut, and a couple more for bits and bobs, clutch, exhaust, fuel pump, rego, tune etc.
Questions for the learned folk here:
- will a B4 TT (Gen3) of the right vintage just drop in with donor front loom(s?)+dash+ECU without having to splice wiring? A couple of threads here suggest it will. Wiring doesn't faze me (I'm an elec engineer), but I'd rather not fight that 20ft octopus with the corresponding chance for mistakes that take forever to track down, the alternative $1k eats into the budget.
- NSW rego? What's going on here, the rules seem to have changed recently. It used to be purely capacity, so a 2.0+T (multiplier was about 1.3, if I recall) was no issue. Now there's rules about 20% power increase and other guff (see the NSW interpretations here: http://www.rms.nsw.g...ds/vsi/vsi6.pdf - somewhat inconsistent) , which will be violated with anything over ~155kW. Will it just go through with an 'engine swap' form because the AUDM B4 is the same 'model', or will I have to get it certified and worry about the 'brake and suspension upgrades' matching? I plan on upgrading brakes from the donor cut anyway, but have no plans on suspension or anything other than replacing/upgrading bushes and such. I guess what I want to know here any recent (< 1year) NSW swap experience with the RTA/RMS.
- stock box means 1/ soft launches (no probs, I'm past my worst hooning days with three kids), and 2/ keeping the 4.44 diff ratio. I don't do a lot of country driving, so the 3000rpm cruising doesn't worry me (and anyway, I'll have another 1500rpm at the top end to play with!). I guess another option may be 4.11 plus dual range with a hybrid 'box - can that be done? (rear diff change to match, of course)
- fuel pump -- I guess a larger capacity is required, there's also mention of new controllers - what's this about?
- And finally - it seems every man and his dog has his opinion about the TT. I'm not phased about the complexity - I plan to replace all the vac lines, hoses etc on the donor, and will also go through the servos etc to make sure it at least functions as stock. The dreaded VOD doesn't worry me -- like I said, I'm not going to thrash it, most driving around town stays under 3000 anyway, and the budget will include a safe tune which hopefully will also minimise it.
- Can a high comp (9.0?) JDM TT be reliably tuned for our 98RON pump fuel, or am I going to be battling with the bloody thing trying to ping itself to an early grave?
- is my budget realistic?
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For those interested - here's a breakdown of the final costs - ended up coming in well under budget.
