1981 Subaru GL (Leone) EJ22 Swap - My $5 high school car I sold that I got back 11 years later. 

The first car I ever bought was a 1981 Subaru DL. This GL's 2WD little sister. I bought it for $400 to drive my stuff from northern Cali to LA. That car had 178k miles when I bought it. It looked like shit on the day I bought it and it only got worse. Not only did I love that car (struggled to hit 40mph climbing the 5 freeway between LA and Bakersfield) more than any car I've ever owned, I became obsessed with Subaru because of it. I thought I would drive it to LA and dump it but it never ever broke down. Ended up driving it for 3-4 years. If I remember correctly, it didn't have a timing belt or something so didn't need the 100k overhaul. Drove it from LA to northern Cali several times, drove it to the Grand Canyon in Flagstaff Arizona, drove it to Vegas, did highway 1 in it and drove it to Joshua Tree desert. By the time it hit 228k it became such an eyesore it was embarrassing and I couldn't drive it anymore so had to retire it. Really good memories from that car which your GL brought to the surface because of how similar to each other they are. Thanks.

As far as I'm aware, the brat ( Brumby, here in Australia ) never had a 5-speed box. The next-generation L-series and all subsequent manual Subarus did, though. Maybe that's what has been fitted to your vehicle? Also, I believe the handbrake was up front because of weight distribution; the unladen rear end was considerably lighter than the front, especially on the ute, and may not have provided enough traction for parking on steep inclines in some situations. That's just speculation on my part but, whatever the reason, you won't be doing handbrake turns in your car unless you do it in reverse!

Funny about the front-wheel E-brake. Old Citroëns with hydropneumatic suspensions had those too (DS, ID, CX, BX). The suspension that worked with oil was also connected to the brakes - so a suspension leak meant a brake leak as well. So it was an actual emergency brake, and given their 66+% front weight bias, you could actually drive them without the brake pedal

So good❤

love that subaru. i had a 92 brat and a 86 leone wagon many years ago.

This model reminds me of the movie Cannonball Run.

My subaru brat turns off doing left hand turns. I might fix the float right one day!

Just pulled the ea82 out of my 88 gl. Hopefully i can do what you did.

I had a red 4 speed and it was a trooper it would out 4 wheel trucks.clutch cable broke and I drove it with no clutch for several days.Sprung a bad oil leak and had to get rid of it... should have fixed it.

You mention 'adjustable shocks' but did this model in 81 have the manually height-adjustable feature that the 83-84 GLs did? If so it should be good for +1 inch front and back for the most-adverse off-road conditions. Thanks for sharing!

I recently got a 1985 GL 3 door 4x4 with the original motor and trans. It drives well, but I'm pretty set on putting an EJ 207 into it. I'm curious what donor cars there are to source general parts from, 😅 I can't find anything online. I might just be overthinking the additional stress that an extra 200 hp would add, but am I? I'm not worried about keeping the 4x4 so I'll probably sell what I strip. I'm curious about my part options and I'm not quite sure where to look for information, 😅 any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

What cams did you go with or were they regrinds??

lol you were kinda getting it in that corner bro.

Could you share any details about the roof rack? make/model? I've got a 1981 too! a wagon. My parents bought it brand new and it was my first car as well. Restored it myself if you're interested, some vids on my channel.

Nice subi. I have a 79 Brat. can you share the tire brand & size? Thanks

where did the seats come from? Were they a direct bolt in?