Rich R

On my 2004 Outback 3.0Rn I have a KME Nevo ECU with six MagicJet injectors (mounted right next to each of the petrol injectors), KME Gold reducer and a 74 litre tank. Totally trouble free so far after about 50,000 miles and performance is identical to petrol. You will need a valve lubricant such as Flashlube, but the cheaper vacuum system (rather than the injected one) is sufficient for a non-turbo engine. The only Subaru engines that don't need it are the 2.0 litre ones sold in Germany (and possibly some other central European countries) with LPG fitted by the dealer from new.

There is no radio code on Gen IV Legacy/Outback - it's all part of the immobiliser system. :) You will lose the radio memories, and some settings in the navigation unit (home location and stored destinations stay, but the keyboard and colour schemes reset to default for example). As for how to tackle the spark plug change, the official method is all from the top, but some people find it easier from below. What is crucial is the correct length extension bars and to know is that you need to turn the rear coil packs so you can remove them, otherwise you'll struggle.

Fine to change when moving up to about 30mph - one of the big advantages over low ratio on most 'proper' 4x4s where you have to stop to change. I used to find it incredibly handy for crawling in traffic on my old BG7B Legacy 2.2 - just trickles along in 1st gear without having to slip the clutch.

For reference, my Outback 3.0Rn cost me about £1200, with a 74 litre tank, KME Nevo G4 ECU, Magicjet injectors, KME Gold reducer and Flashlube. But I doubt you're planning to travel to Yorkshire to get it done :)

Remember that the LPG ECU doesn't actually have a fuel map as such, all it does is take the petrol injector signal and then increase the duration of the injection pulse by a factor according to a simple rpm map then feed that to the gas injector for that cylinder. So if you remap the petrol ECU, the LPG ECU will follow - and so if the petrol ECU starts altering its short term fuel trim to compensate for too rich/lean, the amount of LPG injected will similarly alter in exactly the same way. Some systems can be connected to the ODB port to dynamically alter their map based on the fuel trims. The old fashioned mixer systems are a totally different matter -but on a modern engine like the Legacy/Outback you wouldn't ever run anything other than a sequential injection system. 4eyes - if you need a recommendation for an installer, based on your location I'd give Independent Autogas in Tenbury Wells a go. Toby has a lot of experience of converting Subarus and does a very good job (although he's not the cheapest).

Indeed - Subaru engines work extremely well with LPG, and yes you need Flashlube. You just top up the Flashlube bottle every 10 tanks of LPG and that solves any issues with valve wear. LPG does not cause an engine to run hot or damage piston rings. I previously had a 1996 BD7C Legacy 2.2 that did over 80,000 miles on LPG, and my current 2004 BPEA Outback 3.0Rn has been running LPG for the last 3000 miles with no issues. Other than the issue of only paying 49p a litre for fuel, and still getting over 30mpg on motorways that is :) My last car was a Vauxhall Vectra with a factory LPG system, and my wife's Honda CRV runs LPG. Unless you've got a direct injection engine, don't do many miles in a year or don't plan to keep the car for long, there are very few reasons not to convert to LPG. In mainland Europe LPG is incredibly common, especially Germany, Poland, Italy, Sweden and Holland. Cost of conversion for a four cylinder Subaru is around £1000-1200 for a good system and an experienced installer (add about £100 for a six cylinder). Given that LPG is currently less than half the cost of petrol, the average person will have saved that much in the first year.

If you don't want stainless, you can get complete cat back systems (centre silencer, Y-pipe and both back boxes) for under £150 including shipping. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Outback-3-0-Subaru-Legacy-3-0R-24V-4x4-exhaust-system-silencer-3528-/321754044440?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4aea091818 Might be something to consider to tide you over until you can find a stainless one to your liking.

1999 should be a Gen II. Have a look at the VIN plate for the model code. If it starts with BG then it's a Gen II. If it starts with BH then it's a Gen III. There is no sump gasket by the way on an EJ20 - you use sealant. Subaru recommend Threebond 1215.

Yes, they'll fit. :) When the Outback was introduced, it was originally badged as a variant of the Legacy in the UK and some other markets - hence 'Legacy Outback'. It was badged as 'Legacy Lancaster' in Japan initially, then just 'Outback' there and in Australia and some other places. When the Gen IV Legacy came out in 2004, the Outback started to be labelled just as 'Outback' in all markets to make it consistent. If you look at the model code on a 2004 Outback, you'll see it's actually still the same as a 2004 Legacy estate - ie BP9 for a 2.5 and BPE for a 3.0 :) As far as engines, chassis, bodywork and so on an Outback is a Legacy. The differences are mainly the height of the suspension, bigger foglights, generally higher spec interior and some extra plastic body trim panels and underguards. All the bodywork other than the bumpers is the same - including the roof rails.

There's a shutter flap in the HID headlights on Gen IVs that should move up and down when you select main beam. Could be that it's stuck in the main beam position. (someone had this problem over on UKLegacy the other week).

I've just spotted in the Outback accessory catalogue that Subaru did offer the RoadAngel as an optional accessory. So it may well have been an "official' modification.

Yes, I suspect it may well be some aftermarket device.

If it's a 2.5 CVT, then it's a Gen V, ie 2010 onwards...

I don't seem to have that on my 2004 Outback 3.0 Rn. What version of the satnav software are you running? I'm on the 2012 DVD.

On the Destination Entry screen, you should see a map of Europe on the left (no doubt with Belgium highlighted). Below that is a button marked 'Change' - press that :) That's how it is on my 2012 disc, and was the same on the original 2004 disc in my 2004 Outback 3.0Rn.