My 3.3L Subie Conversion Thread, Got me some 914rubber stuff Options

[mgp4591]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) ... If one were to spend the money for someone else's tune, I'd rather go with the MS and my own ability to dial in a tune. In fact, I'd rather dial the rev limit down with the water pump issues we discussed earlier.

If I was dealing with a finicky engine so far as a tune goes, i.e. race type engine or wild cams, etc., I'd agree with you. And someday I may even want a hair dryer on it but with their experience with the engine pushing a 3700 lb AWD vehicle down the road, I'd think that a chipped system on the EG with the right gearing would positively THROW a 914 down the road. And you'd keep the EPA happy with relatively stock equipment depending on your local requirements. Everything is relative though... now Cracker done stuffed a 427 detuned to 600+ hp in his street/race car! It's one of the signs of the Apocalypse! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[Chris H.]

Yeah I do like the Subiechips offer with the Nissan injectors, etc. but the simplicity of Megasquirt is calling me a little more. We'll see how the car behaves when I fire it up in the Spring.

Hey look, I did a little work!

The beast is off the ground:



Made this primitive engine holder thing (took longer than you think!):



Finally finished my LED tail light conversion

Pile of stuff:



Hard to describe how much better the light is.

Can't really capture it well on camera:



The LED (left side) is not only brighter but clearer. It catches the eye better. The right side old school lighting is barely detectable.

Here's the end result:



Nice work Jerry (Spoke) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) .



Next it's time to drain some fluids and disconnect some cables and wires, then the engine drop.

[mgp4591]

Nice job Chris! I've thought about those from time to time but may go another direction. Spoke puts out a great product though- after seeing them in person, they're a big improvement!

[76-914]

Alright Chris (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) Way to go. The car looks great, too. I ordered Spoke's front LED's so I'm sure I'll follow up w/ his taillights, later. BTW' everything thing takes longer than you think. I started 2 different things this weekend and didn't finish either one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) What's happening while the engine is out? Looking forward to seeing your progress. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Kent

[Chris H.]

First I need to reseal the oil pump. Needs a bead of RTV. Missed that the first time. Changed every other seal on the thing! Next I'll try to flip the intake. Bob has some extra EG33 parts he is sending me including a nice painted manifold so I'll probably use that along with the known good IAC valve. Then I'll get the wiring looking a little better and find a couple of small patch panels from a parts car for the holes I cut in the trunk firewall the first time around. Also might want a new engine lid at some point. I'll test all of the sensors while I'm at it and replace the small vacuum lines with OEM ones. The intake might force me to move the battery back to the stock location, and I might go to a smaller one if so.

[914forme]

Nice work there.

Chris you don't happen to have an extra ECU to Engine harness? I have a bunch of engine harness, think I pitched my ECU harness

[Chris H.]

Sorry I don't Steve. Does anyone else out there have an extra one? If not you can post on these sites with a WTB and someone will likely have one:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/

or

http://svxworldforums.com/

[76-914]

First I need to reseal the oil pump. Needs a bead of RTV. Missed that the first time. Changed every other seal on the thing! Next I'll try to flip the intake. Bob has some extra EG33 parts he is sending me including a nice painted manifold so I'll probably use that along with the known good IAC valve. Then I'll get the wiring looking a little better and find a couple of small patch panels from a parts car for the holes I cut in the trunk firewall the first time around. Also might want a new engine lid at some point. I'll test all of the sensors while I'm at it and replace the small vacuum lines with OEM ones. The intake might force me to move the battery back to the stock location, and I might go to a smaller one if so.

I'm expecting lots of pics. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Chris H.]

You'll have some my friend. Appreciate the (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) . Definitely want to document the manifold flip.

[Chris H.]

Well I finally got the engine out. There she sits.



That's a lot of work. Still need to clean up the mess. I'll be working on it this week.

Lesson #1 - NEVER EVER do anything "for now". I have a list of stuff I wish I did all the way the first time but wanted to get the car running and driving quickly. It's a long list.



Look at that hole. Always makes you think "hey, what else could I shove in there?" Starting to get an itch for an LS engine...but we'll stick with this one for now.

[914forme]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) LS and a boxster transaxle share looks tempting, but then like you, I'll stick with what I go for now.

[Cracker]

Do it and you'll never look back...I promise.

Tony

Always makes you think "hey, what else could I shove in there?" Starting to get an itch for an LS engine...but we'll stick with this one for now.

[Chris H.]

If I go that way might as well get a new crate motor. Bob was saying you can get one for ~$5500ish if you wait for a sale. That's without the ECU but still...good deal for a new one. The days when you could find a nice used Camaro SS for $2k and pull the engine are gone. Then there's the Boxster 6 speed and the very expensive adapter plate....wow! How's the gearing on the 5 speed? Go big or go home? 6 speed or nothing?

It's a couple years out but why not start planning it now.

[mgp4591]

If I go that way might as well get a new crate motor. Bob was saying you can get one for ~$5500ish if you wait for a sale. That's without the ECU but still...good deal for a new one. The days when you could find a nice used Camaro SS for $2k and pull the engine are gone. Then there's the Boxster 6 speed and the very expensive adapter plate....wow! How's the gearing on the 5 speed? Go big or go home? 6 speed or nothing?

It's a couple years out but why not start planning it now.

I didn't catch why you were pulling your engine - installing a Subaru trans? Engine reseal? Bored?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[76-914]

Alright Chris, you cut a fat Hog in the ass. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) Feels better now doesn't it. And you hit the nail on the head about that "do it for now" construction. That engine bay looks clean as a whistle. BTW, I'm giving you a "C" on pic's. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) Are you using a Polaroid and can't afford the film? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) Seriously, take lots of pics. There are other guys using the EG that will benefit from those pics'. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)
Other than the manifold flip what's on your plate now that the engine/trans are out? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[Chris H.]

LOL very funny Kent (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) . Yes I will definitely pick up the pics thing. Confession...I feel pretty dumb that I did not put a coolant drain valve in...and made a pretty big f&*(&*(ing mess draining the coolant. No other way to put it. One of the many things I should have done correctly the first time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) . No matter how many times I thought it was dry, more kept coming when I leaned the car this way or that way. So because we have small dogs it was like a haz mat spill every time more than a few drops hit the garage floor. Clean, scrub, wipe floor, rattle the hoses again, etc.

So Kent and Mike, I need to reseal the oil pump, flip the manifold (not as easy as it sounds as George mentioned), check all the sensors, clean the engine and trans a little better, tidy up the wiring.

[ThePaintedMan]

Good stuff Chris! If you decide to try the spacer route for flipping the intake, the best version I found is made by this guy:

http://svxworldforums.com/forum9/6230.html

Also, sorry to hijack (once again) - Chris, do you remember, in your reseal kit, are the coolant crossover tube gaskets included with it?

[jimkelly]

interesting. gives some points to a 4 install from a 4 car that had a 5 spd. clearly i need to read this thread from the beginning : ) nice work!

--

Right, tunability, and also there are some quirks associated with the fact that the ECU is for a different car.

For the EG33, stock ECU concerns are:

- Some experience a sudden stall issue because all US SVX's are automatic. When you convert to 5 speed there is not a constant "load" on the engine and it can stall.
- There is also sometimes an idle issue for the same reason
- Lot of extra wires going to things you won't use like the PS pump, etc
- EGR and old school atmospheric pressure sensor (eliminated with Megasquirt)
- The "learning mode" is eliminated with MS which is a pain when you unhook the battery
- The rev limit is 6500. With MS you can go to 7400ish

But the ability to tune it to your liking is the best part.

[Chris H.]

Good stuff Chris! If you decide to try the spacer route for flipping the intake, the best version I found is made by this guy:

http://svxworldforums.com/forum9/6230.html

Also, sorry to hijack (once again) - Chris, do you remember, in your reseal kit, are the coolant crossover tube gaskets included with it?

Excellent info, thanks George! You can comment or ask questions any time. I don't mind at all.

So I think you are talking about this pipe:



If so then yes. They are just little donuts. Small but very important. Also comes with one for the dip stick holder thing. One of the most likely areas to leak.

Jim, MS has a plug and play model for certain 4 cylinder cars, which means you could literally just plug it in to a stock harness and it would already have a base map set up and everything. 2002-2005 WRX I think.

[mgp4591]

Chris, while your engine is out how about some pics of your cradle showing a little more detail for us curious types? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)