PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

General talk about the Subaru Baja.

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PizzaWrench
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PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by PizzaWrench »

Hello all,
Been browsing these posts new and old for the last 2 weeks or so, and there is a ton of great info. I know message boards have been slowing down, but Id still like to share with you guys.
This is my 10th Subaru but first Baja. The good news is it is a very clean 05 turbo MT, the bad news is it currently does not have an engine. I have a plan, It is a swap, and it will be cheaper than a used ej255 or 257. Also should arguably be "better".
I will be making a series of youtube videos to both document and explain the process of my swap and hopefully this will help some of you out on the way.

Here it is in all its monotone glory. complete with fully welded exhaust :?
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Next here it is at home
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And lastly, a little treasure I found in the back while cleaning it out. Bonus points to anyone who knows what this is.
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kensei
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by kensei »

What is the name for your YouTube channel? Interested to see how your build goes.

And there is some poor, unfortunate Pontiac running around with a huge gap in its center console...
Ben Staad
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by Ben Staad »

Best of luck on your build. You have a great looking Baja. [smilie=666.gif]
mike-tracy
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by mike-tracy »

Manual H6 Baja? Also, is your username an obscure Twilight reference? Asking for a friend... :D
Last edited by mike-tracy on Fri Dec 04, 2020 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1992 Legacy SS, 5mt and heavily modified
2000 Impreza RSTi Coupe
2003 Baja, H6 and Dual Range 5mt swap
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Guacamole
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by Guacamole »

Of all the things that could possibly be found in a used Baja... why a Pontiac Aztek center cooler???
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PizzaWrench
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by PizzaWrench »

kensei wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 8:05 am What is the name for your YouTube channel?
Same as my username. Nothing posted yet.
Ben Staad wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 12:37 pm Best of luck on your build. You have a great looking Baja. [smilie=666.gif]
Many thanks
mike-tracy wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 1:06 pm Manual H6 Baja? Also, is your username an obscure Twilight reference? Asking for a friend... :D
I'd LOVE to do that, but my time and resources are a bit short to make that happen right now.
Guacamole wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 5:10 pm Of all the things that could possibly be found in a used Baja... why a Pontiac Aztek center cooler???
That is the million dollar question.
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by tomato_88 »

I will definitely be on the look out for content from your YouTube channel. Love the Red color. Congrats on finding a nice looking ride.
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PizzaWrench
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by PizzaWrench »

Sorry there haven't been any updates. I've ordered a ton of parts and basically just waiting for everything to get here before I get started. Dang this is getting expensive!
Ben Staad
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by Ben Staad »

Yep. Buying a cheap, older, car is never cheap. LOL LOL

Good luck to you and looking forward to the updates.
PizzaWrench wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 6:58 am Dang this is getting expensive!
ZUBAJA
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by ZUBAJA »

Ben Staad wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 9:18 am Yep. Buying a cheap, older, car is never cheap.
Neither is it "cheap" to buy a new car and have it depreciate each month as you make the payment.
A "broken" Baja, with a good body, is an investment provided one can do most of their own work. Dennis
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PizzaWrench
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by PizzaWrench »

Fully aware that fixing old stuff is never cheap, and even more aware thats ej255 and 257s are stupid expensive for what they are.
The good news is my Baja is very clean and totally rust free, so I feel like its worth saving. Plus this will be my personal daily driver, not a flip car, so Im willing to spend a bit more on it.
Engine will be delivered tomorrow, and I have 99% of the rest of the parts needed to finish the car. Best case scenario Ill have it running by the end of the week!!! Ive set a 4k "soft budget" and im about $100 over, so fairly happy with that. I still have a few things left to get and hoping not to have any unexpected surprises.
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PizzaWrench
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by PizzaWrench »

Made some good progress on the engine over the weekend. Filmed as much as I could. This will not be a how to but more a general overview of how to perform this swap. Hoping to have the car actually running by the end of the year, but between waiting for parts and holidays who knows.

Videos likely wont come out until the entire car is finished, but Im working on it!
Ben Staad
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by Ben Staad »

Hope you are making good progress!
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PizzaWrench
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by PizzaWrench »

With holidays and other crazyness I missed my end of year deadline to get the truck finished, However I DID get it finished earlier this week! True tuning will take place next tuesday, then hoping to be able to roll out some videos by the end of the month! Even with a no power safe tune, I reallly like this thing.
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Ben Staad
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Re: PizzaWrench acquired a SubaUte

Post by Ben Staad »

It's alive. Congrats!
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