i just got a 96 legacy GTB wagon and am not really an expert on the specifics. My mate is trying to tell me its just a GT, and to be honest im not really that sure cos i just have the salesmans word. sooo...

are there any sure fire ways to tell the difference between a 96 GT and GTB? without taking it to a Dyno?

Originally posted by AndrewNZ
i just got a 96 legacy GTB wagon and am not really an expert on the specifics. My mate is trying to tell me its just a GT, and to be honest im not really that sure cos i just have the salesmans word. sooo...

are there any sure fire ways to tell the difference between a 96 GT and GTB? without taking it to a Dyno?

Pop the hood and look at the engine, the GTB has a twin turbo set up which should be quite evident when you pop the hood.

The GT was only single turbo if I recall correctly.

Put it this way, if it turns out it is a GT and they sold it to you on the premise it's a GTB, you better get back down the dealer and either get all your money back or at least the difference in value of the vehicle.

GTB engine:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0202/acfb4d89babdff66e19d.jpeg

See that twin turbo tag?

yea thats my engine but the GT is twin turbo here too. the engines look practicaly identical ( as far as i know ). You wouldnt know the different engine numbers (japanese)? or something difinative like that?

thanks for reply btw.

I always thought the GTB, had.... wait for it....... a GTB badge on the back?


Is the car an Import a NZ New one?
If its NZ new than a quick check of the registration should tell you what its registered as, if not the any Subaru dealer should be tell you.

If its an Import, any dealer will know, but might want to know about it.

Unforunatly the later GT models in Japan all had twin turbos as well, and its possible that for some years the GT and GTB may infact be the same car, as for some time there was no GT model sold new here in NZ, only a GTB model.


I would be looking for datails in the car, like trim levels, prehpas try and find a GT to compare it to?

nah they didnt get GTB badges till that later models just GT. Yeah im gonna take it to a subaru workshop , when i get time. just thort id try my luck here first. yea its an import, the only difference i know of is the GTB have "Billstein" suspension hence the "B", and 20%ish more BHP then the GT's. and the suspension isnt lablled billstein and dyno's cost heaps here. so i thort id ask. as far as comparing there are no immediatly obvious differences between the two.

Sorry, we couldnt be of more help,
I know the NZ new cars had GTB badges, and yes your right the B is for Billstein.
I know the much later cars, from about 99 on had small "Billstein" badges on each frount wing, but Im not sure about the earlier cars.
However it dosnt make much sense for there to be no badgeing or build plates anywhere that note the differnce.

Where did you get the car from?

In 1996 the GTB was a twin turbo and the GT was single turbo - you said the car was a 1996 model, right?

In the mean time, you have access to the same sources of information on the web as I do :wink:

Right now, I am starting to think the salesman pitched you a line of BS and you have a GT.

freakray: the 1996 GT's are twin turbo and look exactly the same, as i said. And as for access to the web ive spent a long time looking and came up with nothing but this forum, i thort this would be my best bet.

moppie: I know my engine number is EJ20-, and if i could read japanese i probebly could figure it out quite easily.

Thanks for your help anyway guys.

Andrew,

The spec lists I found for the 1996 showed them to be different, maybe there were different models in different countries (like there is with the WRX)

The EJ20 is Subaru's 2.0l engine, the additional designation would be what the additional items are, whether it be twin-turbo or just turbo.

One other thing, how many air intakes are there, how many pipes enter and exit the intercooler?

I will see what spec sheets I can pull up for you.

If you have a digi-cam, maybe you could take a photo of the engine bay plate and post it here if it is legible.

Moppie is better than me at NZ spec cars but I can still try to help.

Ray

The GT went to a Twin Turbo in Japan and therefore here in NZ way back in the early 90s, Im not sure exactly but I think it was about 92?
For several years there was an RS model built along side that was single turbo, however it soon gained the twin turbo engine and was then phased out as the WRX became more popular, and the GTB model was introduced for Legacy likers wanting a bit more performance.

The early cars gave lots of problems in later life, the secondary Turbo was very weak and prone to failure, especialy if an over sized exhaust was fitted, it used to cause the very small turbo to overspin, over boost, and run all its bearings. Iv seen more than one older GT with lots of white smoke trailing out the back as a result. The only real fix was conversion to a single Turbo, either from an RS, or a WRX, or something aftermarket.

The new cars, the same as you have AndrewNZ used a differnt exhaust design, and turbos, and if maintianed properly should be quite reliable.



Im having a look in google to see what I can find, as Im curious myself, but most of the results are cars for sale.

Anywhere heres what apprently is a 96 GTB http://www.trademe.co.nz/Cars-Boats-Motorbikes/Cars-over-10000/auction-4212140.htm


Is it possible the GTB had differnt wheels to the GT?
Im just looking for anything that might tell them apart.

Ok, heres a 96 GT at wingers: http://www.winger.co.nz/pages/showroom_used_details.html?id=158

It has differnt wheels, and they look factory.


Also note on this car http://www.winger.co.nz/pages/showroom_used_details.html?id=147 the side mouldings are black, but on the GTB I posted above they are body coloured.


And heres a "B" spec legacy, no Turbo, but the GTB suspension, interior and body kit, also note the body coloured side mouldings. http://www.winger.co.nz/pages/showroom_used_details.html?id=124

But heres a 98 with half the mouldings body colour http://www.hayessubaru.com/used/9866A.jpg prehaps a factory option?
(note the lower skirts are still black though)

Heres another 96 GT with black body mouldings http://www.donthomsonmotors.co.nz/sstock15.html


And heres a 96 GTB with body colour side mouldings: http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_photo.asp?id=5162246&permanent=0&photoID=1448048&title=Subaru+Legacy+gtb+twin+turbo+1996&mcat=0001%2D0268%2D0332%2D
I would ignore the funny grill, it donst look it fits right and might be aftermarket.



Im guessing the easiest way to tell is the GTB's have all the trim and mouldings done in the same colour as the body, while the GT's have at least the lower skirts in plain plastic black.

Thanks heaps guys, i really appreciate the help!

ive got some pictures of it on the computer but cant figure out how to post them on here...

moppie: mine is black and has the same black (not plastic) front and rear "kit". However the sides have what seems to me an add-on skirt which is black plastic but is pretty much the same colour.

Andrew,
This may be of use:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=578978#post578978

the B-Spec legacy should have yellow struts (bilstein), was only produced in manual,has 17" factory alloys.the B-spec also has more horsepower. bellow is a list of chasis numbers from STI with the spec of the car and when it was produced this should help

BD/BG LEGACY

93/10 96/05
RS BD5A48D - BD5A48P
GT BD5A49P
GT BG5A59D - BG5A59P
GT-V Limited BG5A59D - BG5A59P
GT B-spec BG5A59D - BG5A59P
GT B-spec Ⅱ BG5A59D - BG5A59P
GT E-spec BG5A59P

96/06 97/07
RS BD5B48D -BD5B48P
GT BD5B49P
GT BG5B59D -BG5B59P
GT-V Limited BG5B59D -BG5B59P
GT-B BG5B5CD -BG5B5CP

97/08 98/05
RS BD5C48D -BD5C48P
GT BD5C49P
GT BG5C59D -BG5C59P
GT-B BG5C59D -BG5C59P
GT-B LTD BG5C5ED -BG5C5EP

Awsome list!

Very very helpful.


However Im sure there was a NZDM GTB that had an auto in it, they just had a little less hp than the manual.

thanks guys,

ive been to a subaru mechanic who quickly told me is wasnt a GTB and have had a few arguments with the dealer (ofcourse) and he is now telling me its a GT (b-spec) as opposed to a GTB. It doesnt have the Billstein suspension, or the GTB front grill with the extra foglights the GTB's have.

my chassis# is BG5A59D, which by your list relates to GT, GT-V, GT-B and GT-B II.
engine# EJ20HDWAJE, if that helps

where did u get that information from? (site address?)

and yeah there are quite a few auto GTB's around here.

www.subaru-sti.co.jp/parts/index.html. its in japanese but I got a friend to translate it and it's definately a list of specs and chassis numbers as they were produced. as for the dealer a GTB and a B-spec are the same thing, GTB is just short for GT B spec

Wow, I guess you got the answer, even if it wasnt the one you wanted.

Can I ask which dealer it was?
There are some real dodgy ones around, and its nice to be able to warn people off.

If the dealer started to get to difficult, remember theres the Licesend motor vehicles dealers assciation (LMVDA), who if the dealer you got the car from is a member of, will be able to sort out the problem, and insure that either you get the car you thought you were getting, or arrainge a refund.


Otherwise good luck getting it sorted.



Also the bablefish translator at www.altavista.com is very good at translating a lot of Japanese websites.

yea thanks for all your help guys!!

moppie: its E-Cars in Christchurch, definatly one to stay away from! ive heard many stories about them (since buying the car, ofcourse). and im in the process of taking e-cars to the motor vehicle disputes tribunal, which takes ages, but in about 3 weeks i _should_ have a result.

Cool, good to hear the motor vehicle disputes tribunal is getting involved.

Good luck with it, although it clearly sounds like your in the right.

Get back to us when you get a result won't you.

:cool:

GT-B's came in auto.... I have one..

yeah and just to be even wierder I hava 1995 Twin Turbo Manual GT Subaru Legacy which came imported from Japan with a GTB bodykit lol....its definitely a GT though, share lots of the same parts etc and mine has the GT badge on the back etc etc, feel sorry for ya theres some real dodgy ppl around that try sell off cars as something its totally not, even on places like trademe ppl try it on! Just gotta be careful I guess