Bought a THIRD Subie ;)

[ninefourteener]

Thats right....

Just bought a 1st generation, first YEAR, 1978 Subaru BRAT! :)

I've wanted one for awhile... been watching eBay for well over a year searching for the perfect project. I hate the later 80s model BRATS with the plastic bumpers and ugly grill.

Found this on eBay... I've only seen one other 1st-gen brat sell in the past year....... it sold for over $3000, and it didn't even run.

The seller listed it as a "1978 Subaru"...... not a "1978 Subaru BRAT" as he should have. Had no idea what he was sitting on (or he just REALLY needed to sell it fast)... and set the Buy-It-Now at only $1000. The very second I was able to secure a truck and a trailer... I bought it, sight unseen.

It has some rust issues that need to be dealt with.... but nothing I haven't seen before. The interior is in GREAT shape, and it actually runs pretty good, although it overheats after about 40 minutes due to a bad water pump.... no biggy.

I've already thought about the direction I want to go with this thing..... A WRX motor is definitely getting transplanted in the Summer after the bodywork is done. I'm going with black NASCAR style steelie wheels..... FAT.... gonna try to go with 17x10s. And I'm going to go with a matte-black paint job... rat-rod style. The suspension will be lowered.... not rediculous... just enough to hug the massive tires underneath.

I've already secured a rental Suburban, and a trailer... I'm headed down this weekend to go pick it up.

Wish me luck!!!

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/brat2.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/bratgrill.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/brat4.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/brat3-1.jpg

[bionicbadger]

Those seats in the back are awesome. :lol:

[GREEKBOY]

Those seats in the back are awesome. :lol:
Is the new STI seats reversed..

[Magic Marker]

Those seats in the back are awesome. :lol:
Agreed. Nice pick up. It looks like it's in good shape too.

[ninefourteener]

Thanks!!!!

It has some rust, no doubt..... but I've dealt with much worse. But it's all there, and I'm definitely looking forward to starting this project. Just bought a turn signal assembly for the passenger side..... and I haven't even seen/picked up the car yet--lol

[snork]

Sweet ride you're getting there;)

Were those rear seats an OEM option? Just wondering considering the bracket is body colored.

And you think an STi motor will fit in that engine compartment? Looks pretty dang small in the pics.

[Brien]

I hope you will post pictures as it gets restored. It'll be fun to see the transition.

[ninefourteener]

Yes, and STI or a WRX motor will fit. In fact, it bolts right in, with the exception of matching a newer EJ motor to an older EA drivetrain.... all that requires is an adapter.

The hardest part will be doing the wiring, but I'm going to be sure that whatever motor I buy will come with the original wiring harness and ECU... that'll make life easier.

Probably not going with an STI motor.... they are twice the price, and building a WRX motor to supply the same (or more) power is relatively easy. I'm at 385 hp in my WRX.

With that, I'm going to go with the 2002-2005 2.0L WRX engine. I'd like the extra torque of a 2006-2007 2.5L WRX motor, but then I have to deal with the "drive by wire" feature on those cars, and that makes things far more complicated. The 02-05 had a throttle cable.

My "plan" is to go with an 18G turbo, and a set of 700cc injectors.... that should land me right at 380 - 400hp at the crank pretty easily with a decent tune.

[ninefourteener]

Were those rear seats an OEM option? Just wondering considering the bracket is body colored.



Yes, they sure were... discontinued in 1984 or 85 if I recall.

[PPower]

Congratulations! I've always liked the Brat and would love to do exactly what you are doing. I can't wait to see how the project comes along! Have a build thread to subscribe to yet?

[ninefourteener]

Two of them actually:

My website (slcsubaru.com):
http://slcsubaru.freeforums.org/914er-s-project-spoiled-brat-rust-o-ration-thread-t780.html

clubwrx.net:
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/engine-modifications/134306971-914ers-project-spoiled-brat-progress-thread.html

[PPower]

sweet! subscribed on clubwrx.

[ninefourteener]

Been awhile since I posted here huh...

Anyway..... busy day today...

... got all 4 of them cleaned up.... and actually together for a few pics.


http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/3bf73724.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/38503168.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/b9d67b75.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/744ae806.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/f7da12e8.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/ninefourteener_wrx/2e64886e.jpg

[Magic Marker]

Love the SVX.

[Tribeca_06]

wow the brat has made a big transition!

[Abaton6]

Are those Brat back seats legal nowadays?