Blue Porscheru Conversion, Subaru 2.5 SOHC NA with Suby Tranny Options

[R_u_dd]

Blue Porscheru Conversion

I started this project back in May of 2014 and wanted to share the journey with my friends and family.
There's something appealing to people about taking a left-for-dead vehicle and bringing it back to life.
I hope this build thread is a bit different than the others. It's a Subaru conversion which is not as common.

I am/was a newbie. This is my first car restoration, if you can call it that.
My welds are not pretty, but I've improved and learned throughout this process.
This is a great car for a first restoration. It's light, simple, and very cool- mid engine with a targa top.

This is the plan- We are starting with a 1971 tangerine 914 with light to moderate rust, nothing too serious.
The original engine was a 1.7. Like so many other 914's it ran but has been sitting for a long time.
The engine seems too far gone to try to rebuild it= lots of rust and corrosion.

Powerplant: 2003 Subaru Impreza TS 2.5 SOHC, Natuaral- No Turbo, Why? Plenty of Power for me and no turbo lag. See Engine Choices thread.
Transmission: Subaru 5MT 2003 Impreza TS
ECU from: 2003 Subaru Impreza TS
Electronics: Wiring Harness simplified by Small Car Performance
Axles: 944 axles and CV's with Subaru inside CV- 4 lug for now.
914 suspension.
No fender flares
Voltage Blue Metallic: (Honda color), Painted Sail Panels.

Before Pictures

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1486250894.1.jpg)

The Future Look- Concepts

The 914 visualizer, a very cool app.

Current Look:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.imgur.com-17072-1607919164.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.imgur.com-17072-1607919164.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.imgur.com-17072-1607919165.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459666779.1.jpg)



Contents

Axles
Blasting Glass Bead Videos
Battery Tray Area
Battery and Tray
Budget Scenarios
Brakes
Bumper - Valence
Clutch
Electronics
Engine Discussion
Engine Mount
Engine Work
Floor Pans and Engman Kit
Fuel Pump
Fuel Tank (Cleaning with Electrolysis)
Paint Prep and Metal Work
Paint Prep Continued
Radiator
Seats and Interior
Seats Re-upholstery Links
Transmission
Transmission Mount
Videos

This thread is for entertainment purposes only. I am not a certified mechanic.
There are many that have pioneered the suby conversion before me, but this
is my story.

Hope you enjoy this thread!

Chris

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1486249676.1.jpg)

[DBCooper]

That's my son's car. It uses a Coldwater cradle and the axle angle is about 10 degrees front to rear (by sight) so not too radical. Also a WRX but unfortunately the previous owner didn't flip the manifold, instead hacked out a big section of the trunk, so it's not easy to tell how much the engine would have intruded. And those Sway-a-ways were later swapped out for re-splined OEM axles.

One other thing I forgot to mention is that at greater angles the CV is weaker, so you'll break them more often. If you don't change the angle that fact might tip things more towards the stronger 930's.

[R_u_dd]

Also a WRX but unfortunately the previous owner didn't flip the manifold, instead hacked out a big section of the trunk, so it's not easy to tell how much the engine would have intruded.

I am curious in shifting the engine back a few inches from the original setup if you notice a difference in weight shift. Does it still retain its mid engine feel.? It would be pointless to do all this if I end up with a rear weighted car like a bug. I still have the 901 transmission, but think it best to use the 'ru tranny.

[DBCooper]

Also a WRX but unfortunately the previous owner didn't flip the manifold, instead hacked out a big section of the trunk, so it's not easy to tell how much the engine would have intruded.

I am curious in shifting the engine back a few inches from the original setup if you notice a difference in weight shift. Does it still retain its mid engine feel.? It would be pointless to do all this if I end up with a rear weighted car like a bug. I still have the 901 transmission, but think it best to use the 'ru tranny.

There's absolutely no difference that I could tell, and we've done two cars now, first the engine and then later the transmission on both cars. You HAVE to do the Subaru transmission. I think anyone who's done it will tell you that the Subaru transmission was almost as significant an improvement as the Subaru engine, huge in both performance and drivability, and the gears are matched. It just works.