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.

[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