Subaru engine swap, Are you happy? Options

[Rhodes71/914]

Doing some daydreaming here...
Searched some old posts regarding putting the subaru engine in a 914. Figured it would be an easy swap, looked into it for a Vanagun but sold it before I had to. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
It looks like a few people have put the EJ20T and EJ20TT in their 914s. If any of you would care to reply and let me know what you think, great.
Even if you don't have a subee engine in your 914 feel free to let me know what you think. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[fiid]

Aye... Project is not running yet - but here is some various info on Subaru engines.

I have 2.5 turbo Legacy Wagon which puts out 250HP. It is basically the same engine as the STi. The "regular" WRX is powered by a 2.0 engine. Everywhere else in the world, the 2.0 engines are super-tuned to get up to 280 (or more) HP - but doing that requires more emissions than will pass the US DOT laws.

The engine I am putting in my 914 (still in progress) is a 2.0 twin turbo engine from Japan. It's an engine out of the Subaru Legacy. I would say the Legacy is in the Crown Victoria size zone, where the WRX/Sti/Impreza is in the Focus size zone).

The reason (IMHO) that this engine is twin turbo is that it's not torquey enough to push the car around without boost assistance. I have read that the boost is fully ripping by about 1-2k. In my legacy it is not fully steaming until about 3.5k. I have heard that there is a Valley of Death on the twin turbo engines between 3-4k on the twin units.

As to how this applies to a 914? I think it's going to be fast - here's some numbers.

914 "STi" - 280hp - 2139lbs curb - 0.13 hp/lb
914 "WRX" - 237hp - 2139lbs curb - 0.110 hp/lb

Ferarri 360 Modena - 395hp - 3065lbs curb - 0.128 hp/lb
2005 Lotus Elise - 190hp - 1975lbs curb - .09 hp/lb

The technical challenges with this conversion are:
1) Engine management - Modern subaru engines are distributerless. - so theres no carbs'n'dizzy stuff here - you need to fork over some cash for an engine management system, or run something like MegaSquirt-n-EDIS (This is what I am doing).

2) Tranny! Will the 901 hold up? I'll let you know.

3) Motor mount bar - I'll post plans when I finish mine. TCDesign and Jon Watts are also working on one - but that one requires a mandrel tube bender to create - mine will be made of box steel.

4) 914 vs Subaru physical stuff: The turbos are in the way of the rear trunk in their stock location, and the twin turbo engine needs a gear reduction starter that is indexed around so it would be poking through the bottom of the rear trunk.

5) Car needs to be converted to watercooling. Fortunately the V8 folks have solved the water problem, but this is more time and monay.

6) Brakes. If you can get to 60 in 5 or less seconds - you also need to be able to get back down to a speed where you can actually corner. Solid rotors aren't going to cut it here. You may want to upgrade your suspension also. $$$$$$$$

Things that are easy (relatively):
Clutch and adapter plates - call Kennedy Engineered Products. HPH can order this stuff too. You will want a stage II pressure plate for the larger HP out engines.
Gear Reduction Starter - call a bug place and tell them it's for a bus.
Water Cooling - call renegade. If you are cheap, get the hose from renegade, and use a 92 VW golf radiator (although the jury is still out on weather this is enough cooling for this engine).