914 Subaru engine cradle? Options

[IanJ]

OK...I thought about putting this in the wanted thread (Apologies to the mods if this breaches rules, please delete if inappropriate)

Does anyone know where I can get an engine cradle for converting my 914 using the WRX engine and transmission?

I know you can buy from a few sources and mod to suit but my fabrication skills are lacking and i'd need to pass an engineering check here in Aus.

Any info/leads appreciated.

[pktzygt]

OK...I thought about putting this in the wanted thread (Apologies to the mods if this breaches rules, please delete if inappropriate)

Does anyone know where I can get an engine cradle for converting my 914 using the WRX engine and transmission?

I know you can buy from a few sources and mod to suit but my fabrication skills are lacking and i'd need to pass an engineering check here in Aus.

Any info/leads appreciated.

Renegade Hybrids for a nice drop in cradle or copy someone other custom design if you trust your fab skills.

Custom mounts for the suby transmission shouldn't be difficult. Custom axles will be required though. Search suby axles on here.

[IanJ]

Thanks but I believe even the renegade one needs modifying when using the subaru transmission.

[76-914]

Thanks but I believe even the renegade one needs modifying when using the subaru transmission.

Wasn't a member here working on those? Maybe it was precision chassis?

[BIGKAT_83]

OK...I thought about putting this in the wanted thread (Apologies to the mods if this breaches rules, please delete if inappropriate)

Does anyone know where I can get an engine cradle for converting my 914 using the WRX engine and transmission?

I know you can buy from a few sources and mod to suit but my fabrication skills are lacking and i'd need to pass an engineering check here in Aus.

Any info/leads appreciated.

I'm sure this guys work will pass any engineering check. Some of the best work I've seen yet. Don't know if he has done a mount for the subaru engine and transaxle yet.

precision chassisworks

Bob

[IM101]

I am just about to start production on the cradles, below is a shot of the prototype, its just tacked together and missing a few laser cut pieces, but just to give an idea of what it's going to look like. This cradle will work for both the 901 and Subaru transmissions, with no cutting to the rear trunk (unless you have a turbo mounted in the stock location).
Also in the photo is a back plate for the 2wd conversion of the Subaru transmission, which are at the machinist getting pretty. not pictured is the 2wd locking spool and custom Sway-A-Way hybrid axles that will complete the drive train kit.
-Ian M.

[matthepcat]

Finally!! Someone is doing this!! No more RH as the only off the shelf option.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

[wingnut86]

Competition makes your competitors more focused on their product as well as their bottom line (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks for doing this.

914World Group-By discount??

[pktzygt]

I am just about to start production on the cradles, below is a shot of the prototype, its just tacked together and missing a few laser cut pieces, but just to give an idea of what it's going to look like. This cradle will work for both the 901 and Subaru transmissions, with no cutting to the rear trunk (unless you have a turbo mounted in the stock location).
Also in the photo is a back plate for the 2wd conversion of the Subaru transmission, which are at the machinist getting pretty. not pictured is the 2wd locking spool and custom Sway-A-Way hybrid axles that will complete the drive train kit.
-Ian M.

Ahh, nice.

I was wondering, what is it about the subaru transmission that prevents the stock turbo location with your cradle? Does the renegade up-pipe provide enough of a move to allow your cradle to work?

[pktzygt]

Thanks but I believe even the renegade one needs modifying when using the subaru transmission.

It does, but one thing to look out for is that the cradle doesn't block something important (like the oil filter) when installed. The renegade one does not and the one posted above looks to have plenty of clearance too. I want to say that there is/was a cradle from smallcar that had this problem, but don't quote me on it.

I'll be modifying my renegade cradle when I get around to the suby trans, but that is only because I already have it and I have some fab skills. I'm definitely not knocking on the cradle posted above, it looks good!

[Chris Pincetich]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[effutuo101]

Just waiting on delivery... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[76-914]

914World Group-By discount??

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Or group buy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Brett W]

I have built two bars that bolt in and allow use of the 2wd Suby five speed trans. Since I now have a 4wd trans in the shop I can modify the bar to use the converted 4wd trans. Is there really that big a demand for one of these? Figured everyone was buying the RH bars.

[wingnut86]

Competition makes your competitors more focused on their product as well as their bottom line (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

A 3rd player.

As long as quality is never an issue, uhum, like some Hotlanta theoretical players, then this is a win win for the vendors who just jumped in.

Labor and prices are next (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[matthepcat]

Brett, RH makes you buy the whole package and not individual pieces. That alone will create interest, especially with ability to use the stock transmissions.

[IM101]

I will be making an official release thread and a spot in the member vender section so I will try and keep this short.

Brett W: I really am not too worried about a massive demand; I didn’t get into this with dreams of grandeur trying to make my millions off of the 914. I was, and still am planning a Subaru build myself and figured if I’m going to do the fabrication anyway, why not go the extra couple of steps and make it repeatable, cause it seems like people would be interested in a complete bolt in solution (I know I was). Invested enough to make 15 cradles, right now and am going to be pricing them as low as I can, while still getting my money back, + enough to build more/expand if all goes well. This is kind of going to be like a 914rubber style set up, cheap prices, excellent quality, for the love of 914’s, not money.

76-914: I hadn’t really considered group buys because I figured I would just price it as low as was feasible to begin with, 500$ for the cradle, mount plates and isolators. But then again I may have to raise that price with the cost of the last couple laser cut pieces.

Pktzygt: The reason the stock position of the turbo doesn’t work really just has to do with the placement of the engine as compared to the axles. If you go low enough for the turbo to work, the engine will have a forward tilt to it and basically require a flush dry sump oiling set up to clear speed bumps. Move the engine forward and, at least with the Subaru trans, the CV will be at too much of an angle for me to be comfortable with. It may work, but you would be munching through CV’s pretty often.
Anyway, it’s a problem more easily/properly solved by a custom exhaust then a cradle shift. I don’t know if the RH up-pipe would fix it, as I’m not familiar with that set up and I’d really have to have one on hand to test fit before I truly know.

Oh and people, please don’t judge too hard on that prototype picture, it’s pretty rough, just needed the important clearances and bolt holes in the right place to make a fixture. It's a little embarasing looking back at it, but hey proof is in the pictures. Anyway, I will make an official release thread with prices and pictures.

-Ian M

[Chris Pincetich]

Ian - you should visit Camp914, in your area. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[r_towle]

Is there a decent shifting solution for a subaru transmission?

Rich

[IM101]

Is there a decent shifting solution for a subaru transmission?

Rich

Thats my next project, cable shift set up for both 901 and subaru. But more importantly im going to custom make the shifter assembly to (hopfully) have a stock look/placment.
-Ian M.