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.

.

[hsus2k]

Hi newbie here,
I've been following Jeff's work on ShopTalkForum.com, and really inspired me to do the Subaru conversion, expecially I had so many parts to my 914 were missing: engine, transaxle, all the cooling tins, FI stuff plus more. (Long story over 10 years, don't want to talk about it; some people you meet along a way in your life just don't seem to be what they are)

Anyway,
Originally, I was sourcing a JDM WRX EJ20 motor/gearbox combo; hoping to get 200+ish Hp to the rear wheels, but ended up the motor to be the 98' JDM WRX STi RA V4 motor with vf22 turbo (rated 280ps, and possibly up to 300chp stock? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) ) with the Sti gear box TY752vbcaa (4.44 FD)
A little more than what I intended to do, but extra hp is nice? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
The only thing I'm really worried about is the old Subaru Gear box, can it handle the amount of torque was originally set for awd, now to a 2wd? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

And question on the origianl Air to Air IC you had, did you have major issue of not cooling the air sufficient enough? Will it hurt the turbo or over heating it?
I was thinking to do just the air to air right now (rather than the water to air) to save some more plumbing (fabrication) and weight.

Currently it's in a Fab shop getting de-rust and metal work done; since I can't weld.
The front will ahve a 87' 911 Carerra suspension with Aluminum cross member.
I'll have the front 986 Boxster caliper with 24mm Carerra rotors
and the rears will be 986 Boxster caliper with 20mm 911 venter rotor with E-brakes.
The car will have 4-6 point rollcage with bars to stiffen to the front and rear struts area.
Both front hood and rear lids will be fiberglass, and so will the front and rear bumpers. I also have 2 used NASCAR fiberglass doors (i'll have customized lexane windows mounted)
Not sure on the pedal assembly? either with Tilton (expensive) or a wilwood.
The original gas tank removed and will have a either a 17 or 19 gallon Aluminum fuel cell put in the trunk area. My radiator will tilt forward on top and have a hood vent cut out.

Now the final tough question is the suspension and spring rates (front & back) for handling road & track use, I'm not into or have tried Auto-X.
I like stiff suspension and I thought if there is more Hp, then rear spring rate would go up to push the wheels to the ground??
1) So, I was thinking of getting rear springs at 250#?
2) Large 32mm Front swaybar from Tangerine?
3) Rebuild my Front 87' 911 Carerra torsion bars with 21.5mm? Or any suggestions?
4) do I really need a rear swaybar now for a road track/ street car?
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

I too, also like to keep it narrow look.
I have a set of 15" phone dials from 85' 944 7"-wide, 23.3mm offsets.
I was thinking of putting 205-60-15 tires on all 4 or could it be possible to have 205-60-15 on the rear and 205-50-15 to the front. (would that be a problem with offset (height) of tires front and back?


BTW, I'll have AC in the car, only comfort thing for me here in Hotlanta! Pretty much everythign stripped inside the car other than the dash panel and all instruments.

I really need to sort out my suspensions modification if anyone could help? I'm not familiar with mid-engine cars and how they handle.
Any other suggestion or any mistake on my list mentioned will be appretiated!
Thanks!

[rs182]

Anyway,
Originally, I was sourcing a JDM WRX EJ20 motor/gearbox combo; hoping to get 200+ish Hp to the rear wheels, but ended up the motor to be the 98' JDM WRX STi RA V4 motor with vf22 turbo (rated 280ps, and possibly up to 300chp stock? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) ) with the Sti gear box TY752vbcaa (4.44 FD)
A little more than what I intended to do, but extra hp is nice? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
The only thing I'm really worried about is the old Subaru Gear box, can it handle the amount of torque was originally set for awd, now to a 2wd? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

And question on the origianl Air to Air IC you had, did you have major issue of not cooling the air sufficient enough? Will it hurt the turbo or over heating it?
I was thinking to do just the air to air right now (rather than the water to air) to save some more plumbing (fabrication) and weight.

The motor you have is the well known ej20k. (I had one swapped in my 99 2.5rs) These motors are very highly tuned and MUST have at least 93 octane if you want it to live at all. They are known for losing rod bearings because people run them on 91 octane and bounce off the 8200 redline. I would highly recommend going through the motor before you install it (they have a fairly high failure rate compared to other jdm motors such as the ej20g, h,r, 205 and 207.) They are amazing little motors as long as you get a good tune on it using a standalone such as apexi power fc, or vipetec.
As far as the transmission you will be fine using it in a FWD configuration. They are very stout little transmissions. Being a STi RA theres a good chance it will have DCCD as well. You obviously dont need it since you are not going awd but it is worth good money to someone else.
I would recommend a front mount intercooler if possible. The biggest problem with no having a efficient IC is that your knock count will go through the roof and kill your motor pumping that hot air in there. Feel free to PM me if you need wiring diagrams, Places to get parts, or what ever. I am new to 924's but have ALOT of Subaru experience

OP Very nice build I just picked up a 72 and have a ej20r twin turbo sitting in the corner of the shop waiting to go in (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)