1990 Subaru Legacy RS from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Surprisingly not as much as I was told about this mechanic's dream!

Fuel ignition relay problems. Wouldn't start sometimes. Was re-set for only $NZ300!! Due to the cost of using the electrical equipment to find the fault.

Wind noise through passenger window can be very annoying but can't seem to be stopped.

Fuel pump is playing up (pinking as it's known to the mechanics), due to over-boosting, need to be replaced else pistons may detonate! (mech's exact words!)

Over-boosting can be very dangerous and boost levels need to be checked after any modification.

Cam belt, spark plugs replaced. (Normal wear and tear every 100,000kms)

Potentially a very quick car, but requires regular attention with service and oil change to keep it running at a 100%.

Don't expect to take on VR-4's with standard modifications.

Like Cold-air duct, Group A front pipe, Exhaust, blow-off, K & N Filter etc.

But these mods are definitely recommended as the car "breathes" a lot better and you can feel the improvement in performance.

It's a good start and easy on the pocket compared to mods to many other Japanese cars.

Don't seem to be able to launch it as hard as other similar turbo cars as the gear box doesn't seem to handle it well.

It's obvious reading the other reviews' that the fuel pump needs attention.

My advise is to replace it with a after market fuel pump like a Bosch motor-sport model with a high flow filter.

Don't expect fuel consumption to come down but do expect a power increase and smoother acceleration.

Legacy RS models are renowned to be known as "thrashed" to potential buyer's and buyer beware this car is like a drug, its addictive no matter what the costs are to keep running it.

Do give the car a good working over with your current mechanic or one specialising in Subaru models before buying one, otherwise you may end up with a lemon.

Great car to modify and keep modifying till you run 0-100 in under 5 seconds.

There a few "big-time" mods which are more expensive to achieve this.

This is where the real fun begins, let's face it, you get used to the quickness of your car pretty soon and need to new buzz, to reach a new high!

Hey there

I own the same model and was wondering what some of the 'big time' mods are that I can do to get a better performance etc. If you could please email these to me that would be great.

<surfwithmatt@hotmail.com>

Cheers

Matt.

Gday mate, I just read your comments regarding your Legacy and I had a few questions. I have a 89 RS Legacy, and just today I put a 2 and a half inch Mandrel bent exhaust off the turbo, that's my first mod, and I was wondering if I was in danger of over boosting? How do you know when you are, it boosts up to 0.8 bar (12psi) then stops, I think it's hitting the boost defender, then the turbo makes a fluttering noise? What can I do to ensure nothing bad happens? And also what other mods can I do to get more performance? What should I do about the air induction? Thanx for your help.

Tom

Auckland NZ.

Tommyvp@hotmail.com

Sure, over boosting is dangerous but due to the complexity and high-tech design of the EJ20, it has software to stop boostlevels becoming dangerous, also known as a 'fuel cut'.

I was wondering what type of Bosch fuel pump you replaced the old one with as my legacy RS has an internal fuel pump.

Could you put me in the right direction.

Email me.

M_burgess_01@hotmail.com

thanks

Hay all.

I've got an 1990 RS Legacy also, and was wondering what is the first recommended to improve performance?Of course I've done the usual, big bore exhaust, pod filter etc, but my main concern is the amount of lag it seems to have. This is fixed by dropping clutch @ higher revs, but my clutch doesn't seem to play all that well with this. And then through the gear changes its

the same.

Rex's seem to get me @ second, then third its all over. What do you think would help combat this?Also I was wondering if a blow off valve (aftermarket) is going to do much help, or can the factory one be worked to a good advantage?As I have heard of this done before.

Any help would be great, would like to hear from any others with this same car, get some inside info etc!

Email me-"its_snowing_man@hotmail.com"

thanks again.

Hi,

I also own a 1990 RS and I have done all the usual upgrades, (Pipe, BOV, Pod filter) and I service it regularly. However, I do appear to be experiencing turbo lag at around 3.5-4 RPM and was wondering how I could eliminate this as best as possible.

Could you please email me with any advice you may have.

Psneill08@hotmail.com.

I own a 1990 RS Legacy, must have bought a lemon as so much has gone wrong with it over the last twelve months, would only buy Subaru again if I bought brand new, like a 2004 RSK B4. But am happy with overall performance. My one is completely standard apart from the 2.5 inch straight through bore exhaust, and as for the comment about the VR4, I have raced one and beat him by miles, but had to replace the gearbox the very next day.

Elvin ram here at elvinram1@yahoo.co.nz. I have owned a 1990 legacy RS. it had done 110,000 km when I bought it 4.5 years ago. to date it has done 210,000 from new as the mileage was guaranteed when I bought it. it has lasted me well so far. I have a 3" mandrel bent system coming off a 2.5" down-pipe from turbo, a K&N air filter, BOV, custom paint job (green with pinch of gold), n 17" nemesis chromes. the gear box has craped out twice since owning it, crankshaft has gone once, fuel pump twice, and air sensor just by air intake box once. apart from that not very much has gone wrong with it, except for the odd wear n tear items. I believe all cars are made to break down at some stage and all we can do is maintain it well as much as we can. I am thinking of keeping my legacy as long as it goes and than think about getting a STI motor n bits dropped in it. it will be unique. old is gold!!! take care mateeeees.

Hi there I own a 89 model legacy its making a ticking noise every time I hit 11psi! why is it dangerous to over boost?

I am thinking of getting a 1990 legacy sedan, but can anyone tell me if it's a uni-body like the 1980's wagons or is the rear fenders replaceable??? triple_r_ak@hotmail.

I have a 89 RS and a Bosch fuel reg, but one problem; I don't know where it goes. Could you maybe send me some pics of the old one in my car and how to replace it?

jmataira@yahoo.com

Hi, I have a 1990 Legacy GT.

I have just bought a pod filter and have taken the air filter out, and connected to the air filter was a little box that had a plug connected to it, which I'm guessing is the air sensor?? (If that is even a car part). So I took that off and clamped the pod straight on, and just left that box off. Just wondering if anyone knows whether I need this part or not?? If someone can help, please email me jason_hema@yahoo.co.NZ