1991 Subaru Liberty Project

[t.renshaw34]

We had a recent enquiry from a close friend to get their 1991 Liberty GX up to a roadworthy state. We undertook the job as a good project to show our customers what we can achieve.

The repair list was quite substantial, and was split into 3 parts; faults requiring immediate attention, faults that require attention soon, and minor faults. The main issues were: leaking heatercore, leaking headgasket, clutch slipping, suspension struts leaking, all brakes worn out, overdue for major service.

We talked through the repair list with the customer and were given permission to complete the entire repair list, and add some goodies along the way.

The parts we had agreed to upgrade included: Front and rear full adjustable HSR coilovers (front 9kg, rear 11kg), front 2000 WRX 4 pot calipers with stock pads and new genuine rotors and 2005 Subaru Liberty GT wheels (painted satin black) with Federal 595 RS-R tyres.

The work (not particularly in order) that we carried out included:
-Removed centre console, steering wheel, dashboard assembly, and HVAC system. Remove heatercore and outsource repair for leaks. Refit heatercore, HVAC system, dashboard assembly and steering wheel. Repair radio antenna connector and refit centre console.
-Removed wheels and suspension struts. Replaced struts with coilovers, Removed and replaced front brake caliper assemblies and discs. Replace rear brake discs and pads and fit new wheels.
-Inspected rear boot and doors for water leaks, removed aftermarket spoiler and fit genuine spoiler, plug aftermarket spoiler holes.
-Bled brakes and change rear diff and gearbox oil
-Removed engine from vehicle. Remove manifolds, right hand head assembly and clutch assembly. Replace clutch assembly, right hand head gasket, spark plugs and timing belt kit. Replaced gaskets as necessary and refit engine to vehicle. Replaced engine oil, engine oil filter, coolant and fuel filter.
-Removed power steering pump and replaced. Bled power steering fluid and engine coolant for air locks.
-Road test vehicle for faults, new wheels scrub on rear guards with passengers in vehicle. Remove rear wheels and roll rear guards, refit wheels and road tested for scrubbing, scrubbing ceased.


Below are some photos before work commenced:

Front


Spoiler


Wheels and brakes


Interior


Engine

[t.renshaw34]

Heater core removal:

Starting


Progress


Dash out


HVAC removed


Dirty A/C condenser


Leaking heatercore


Dash going in


Dash in


Done

[t.renshaw34]

Engine work:

Ready to remove


Coming out


Engine out


Engine bay


Engine ready to refit


Engine sitting in


Engine done

[Jack_Keaka]

Dat wing...

looks like fun. also that engine bay is surprisingly shiny for a 21 year old car!

[t.renshaw34]

Brakes, suspension and random:

Rear brakes fitted


Rear coilovers fitted


Front calipers painted


Front brakes and wheels complete

[t.renshaw34]

Final product:

Cleaned and detailed

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Cleaned and detailed

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Swirl, scratch, watermark free reflection

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Declan is a year 10 student at Mercedes College. He chose to do his work experience week at K&T Automotive for detailing.

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Our decal (fitted with customer approval)

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[LiamVJ]

Those brakes turned out sweet man. Nice work on the project. I'm sure the customer was pleased

[Dropz]

Looks good after the clean!

[Robbks]

Forgot to throw that dirty pod in the bin though....

But yeah, good work
actually spending the money where it will help on an NA.
making it stop and corner.

it's amazing how much better the underpowered cars can perform if you can keep their corner speeds up through better suspension

[bigBADbenny]

Wow - from rice... to NICE

[Dropz]

The pod has only recently been fitted by the owner so we had no business removing it.

Thanks for the compliments

[Robbks]

Maybe not, but some words of advice to the owner advising them of the possible implications of running an oiled pod.
i.e coating the AFM in oil, it running lean and blowing holes in pistons.
not to mention it sucking in bags of hot engine bay air leading to a drop in performance.

Or upsell them with a nice shiny alloy or stainless intake pipe replacing the crappy plastic one
leave the AFM in it's current position and extend another shiny pipe into the guard with a dry pod on the end to grab some nice cool, clean air.
giving them more power and better fuel consumption.

[static09]

looks great guys, love the work.

Just a question on the brakes, do the 4 pots fit under the stock gen 4 wheels? first time ive seen this done, it work on a gen 4?

[t.renshaw34]

Yep they fit fine .

The 4 pots pull the light weight gen 1 up really well.

[seanmau5]

Got a side pic of the whole car? Would love to see those calipers behind the wheels from far away..