Subaru Transmission into 914, DAMN that turned out good!! Options

[DBCooper]

Some photos of my 914 being fitted with a WRX transmission. I'm sorry, we replaced bushings, adjusted and aligned three times and that 901 never even got close to being acceptable. The WRX motor was such a huge improvement over the VW that it only seemed logical to make the transmission just as modern. And "while we're in there" the air-to-air intercooler is being replaced by a water to air. You just don't get the air flow in the back of the car you'd want to make big power, and the next step with this car will be an STI motor. Power is addictive. Yes, I know better and you've been warned.

Anyway, the WRX five speed with Quaife gets introduced to engine.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145993.1.jpg)

The forest of jackstands as positioning is worked out.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145994.2.jpg)

The WRX transmission axle outlets are a little closer to the flywheel than the 901, which meant the engine had to be moved back to keep the axles aligned with the stubs.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145995.3.jpg)

Flipped manifold. Enough space in there now for an EZ30 six, easy. Nice looking hellhole too, don't you think? Still needs detailing of course, but first things first.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145995.4.jpg)

But moving the engine back meant he had to box a small part of the rear trunk. That's OK, this car isn't for hauling luggage anyway. Or lawn tools. Or groceries.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145996.5.jpg)

Cable shifter at the transmission. Beautiful work.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145997.6.jpg)

And inside the car, the modified MR2 shifter. Feels notchy, accurate, and good, which is what this is all about. That and more strength, especially in first.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145998.7.jpg)

A video of the shifter, still in the prototype stage, showing the action in the front and the rear.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncmaxYd1WNI


Ask Abby what she thinks of Grandpa's car. She likes to show off those pretty new teeth.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145998.8.jpg)

The water-air intercooler. It will go just ahead of the engine on the driver's side.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145999.9.jpg)

In the car, you can see part of the new cradle, just tacked for the moment.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268146000.10.jpg)

Axles are aligned.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268146001.11.jpg)

Business end, seen from the rear. It looks so good we'll probably go without a valence, it's gotta be seen. I can't wait until in the rearview mirror I see another 914 guy who's pulled up behind and is trying to figure out what all happened back there.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268146001.12.jpg)

This work is being done by a wizard at a shop called 40-Thirteen in Modesto, CA. Quality of work is unmatched. If you're curious there are a lot more pictures of this transmission project, the engine cradle, what the car looked like with just the WRX motor before these changes, or more pictures of that beautiful granddaughter in an album at: http://photobucket.com/Corinthiano

More to come later. It was a monster before, but you had to be real gentlemanly with the shifter. To hell with that. I can't wait.

.

[DBCooper]

As part of their destructive testing program the kids took the car to a PCA autocross in Stockton.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i255.photobucket.com-2618-1269561145.1.jpg)

Good news is that they didn't break anything. Bad news is that we're back at square one for suspension setup. They say the front end pushes badly at low speeds, and, surprise surprise, the back end goes liquid under power. Their suggestion is flares and big stickies, but that isn't going to happen. All I want is a narrow-body sleeper. So it looks like bigger 7 inch wheels on the front (it's now 6's and 7's) and learning how to drive it differently, moderating the power a little better. Then we'll tweak as we go along.

All in all it's great, a total success and a helluva lot of fun to drive.

[Andyrew]

As part of their destructive testing program the kids took the car to a PCA autocross in Stockton.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i255.photobucket.com-2618-1269561145.1.jpg)

Good news is that they didn't break anything. Bad news is that we're back at square one for suspension setup. They say the front end pushes badly at low speeds, and, surprise surprise, the back end goes liquid under power. Their suggestion is flares and big stickies, but that isn't going to happen. All I want is a narrow-body sleeper. So it looks like bigger 7 inch wheels on the front (it's now 6's and 7's) and learning how to drive it differently, moderating the power a little better. Then we'll tweak as we go along.

All in all it's great, a total success and a helluva lot of fun to drive.

I was debating going to this event!!! AHHHHH!!! Would have loved to see this car in action.


What are your rear spring rates? Front Tbar and sway bar size?


You know one of the things that My dad did on his highly modified 944 turbo is switch to really sticky hoosiers on the front and old hoosiers on the back, Wider in the front. The car previously had really bad understeer, now its is so neutral its not funny, and so controllible to drift! When me and him swapped cars at a autox school I had SOO much fun drifting the whole course.

Also tire pressures play a big part.. Is your front sway bar adjustable? Lemme know, I'd love to help you guys out setup that car!