VOX Subaru Swap build Options

[dlo914]

Vox, progress looks good.

A suggestion, to take or leave. Paint the engine bay a light color. It is dark and cramped working in there. Anything that reflects a little more light is going to be very helpful down the line.

Zach

Thanks for the suggestion Zach. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[dlo914]

Actually i guess your right. I have the stock cluster in my garage and its the same as the one pictured... I built my own vss out of a magnetic pole switches and some magnets, but it souldnt affect my autometer tach, you do however have to use the autometer tach adapter box to read correctly with any Subaru engine. either way, it feels low. Or maybe it just get there too quick. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

I'm not sure if this is the low RPM culprit: The stock 901 transmission
http://www.914world.com/specs/regearing_901.php

[dlo914]

So after class/work today i had some daylight to spare and decided to finish up the welding from last Friday:

Last Friday i tackled the passenger side headlight rain gutter, the passenger and driver side top rain gutter. And today i tackled the passenger side jack point location. Here are the pics:

(IMG:http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/danlo830/CIMG1070.jpg)

(IMG:http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/danlo830/CIMG1078.jpg)

(IMG:http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/danlo830/CIMG1079.jpg)

(IMG:http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/danlo830/CIMG1080.jpg)
BTW...how would one go about grinding down the welds in the corner? Dremel?

(IMG:http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/danlo830/CIMG1063.jpg)

(IMG:http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/danlo830/CIMG1065.jpg)

Huge rats nest, surprised i didn't find a rat in there as well! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)
(IMG:http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/danlo830/CIMG1074.jpg)

(IMG:http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/danlo830/CIMG1077.jpg)

[charliew]

You can get carbide burrs in lots of different shapes. One shaped like a spear point would get in the corner easily in a air tool. Be sure and wear safety glasses cause it will really make sharp cuttings and they go everywhere. You do pretty quick work but you are also leaving some small holes in your welds. Go back and weld over the holes and it will last a lot longer.

[dlo914]

You can get carbide burrs in lots of different shapes. One shaped like a spear point would get in the corner easily in a air tool. Be sure and wear safety glasses cause it will really make sharp cuttings and they go everywhere. You do pretty quick work but you are also leaving some small holes in your welds. Go back and weld over the holes and it will last a lot longer.

My concentration was running low after 6 hours of work today. I'll go over them on Friday. Is there any way to get a good bead down with Flux Core? I've only been able to tack weld the piece in and then connecting the tack welds little by little. I'll check harbor freight on friday for the carbide burrs. Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[charliew]

I buy lots of stuff at hf but I can't say that they will have a good carbide burr. I get mine from a industrial supply. You can try a hf burr and if it goes bad you can probably get one at a sears store tool dept. A good one that will last a long time will not be cheap. If you let it bounce or chatter it will break teeth off when cutting steel. It takes a little practice learning to control it. It's like the limp wrist syndrome with a semi auto pistol I guess. It sometimes takes two hands to control it especially in a small hole, it will try to run around the inside.

[dlo914]

Just had James (VOX) put in an order for the engine maintenance items, the following were ordered from www.partsgeek.com: 1 bando timing belt, 2 koyo timing belt idler, 1 nsk tensioner roller, 1 timing belt idler cogged(nsk) 2 camshaft seal(nok) 1 valve cover gasket set (ishino) and 1 Nippon oil filter. Total came out to $240.10 including shipping.

[charliew]

Are you removing the cam pulleys to do the cam seals? Hope you've done this before. You might want a new waterpump and thermostat with gasket and front and rear main seal while you are at it.

[dlo914]

Are you removing the cam pulleys to do the cam seals? Hope you've done this before. You might want a new waterpump and thermostat with gasket and front and rear main seal while you are at it.

Yeah, we're gonna get the water pump from Autozone since they offer one with a lifetime warranty. As for the thermostat, partsgeek didn't have the correct one so i'll probably have to look around for the correct one. And i'll check on the front and rear main seal before i go about purchasing. Oh and the accessory belts, since we're not gonna be running powersteering i wanna see if i can remove the powersteering pump and run a shorter belt or maybe just fill up the unit and recirculate.

In the past i've done a refreshing on a 93' Camry V6 3VZFE, i did the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, timing belt tensioner, idler pulley, front main seal, spark plugs, valve cover gasket kit, and accessory belts.

[pankopp]

get rid of power steering... You can find shorter belts easily. Also for the water pump, you may want to look into geting the turbo water pump. the water pumps off of the early turbo legacy's and wrx's have a different angled outlet and thermostat housing. With this pump you can use the wrx exhaust manifolds to have a much simpler exhuast design, or to add a turbo later down the road. The still bolt to the block the exact same, just different outlet.

[dlo914]

get rid of power steering... You can find shorter belts easily. Also for the water pump, you may want to look into geting the turbo water pump. the water pumps off of the early turbo legacy's and wrx's have a different angled outlet and thermostat housing. With this pump you can use the wrx exhaust manifolds to have a much simpler exhuast design, or to add a turbo later down the road. The still bolt to the block the exact same, just different outlet.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) Hmmm...

That would save us the hassle if we do decide to go the turbo route way down the line. What year turbo legacy and wrx is this water pump off? 91?

[dlo914]

Picked up tires for our project. Found a set of four 205/50/15 Falken Azenis RT-615 for $200 off of Craigslist and i offered $180.

[pankopp]

The pump I used is the water pump from an 02 WRX, bought from ebay. I am not positive but i think all turbo water pumps are the same. They have a revised angled outlet and two outlets on the side of the pump instead of the N/a pump's one outlet for the heater core line. I just plugged the extra outlet.

[dlo914]

The same water pump shown in this picture?
(IMG:http://www.cnsautoparts.com/eBay/pictures/1053_image1.jpg)

[charliew]

You will need the extra outlet to cool the turbo.

[dlo914]

Pankopp, how did you plug the extra outlet? Since we're not gonna be running a turbo anytime soon we'll need the extra outlet plugged.

[charliew]

If it will ever be in a cold climate you can use the extra also for the throttlebody heat.

[pankopp]

Pankopp, how did you plug the extra outlet? Since we're not gonna be running a turbo anytime soon we'll need the extra outlet plugged.

Edit: Actually now that i look at it, i think the picture shown is the same as the one i used. It has three outlets instead of just two. I used one outlet to feed the heater core hardlines and just ran a line between the two other outlets to circulate the flow. it has worked fine for a little over a year of use. I will craw under the car tomorrow and check, maybe take a quick pic for you.

Yes the extra outlet could be used to cool the turbo, if/when you add one. but i ended up just T'ing into the heater core lines. I didnt really want three feet of water line going up and around all the exhuast components... also, the throtle body water line already is sourced from the main engine coolant manifold on the top of the motor, under the intake manifold.

good luck!

[pankopp]

just checked my pump and it only has two outlets like i originally thought... two on the right side looking at the front of the motor. sorry for the confusion.

[VOX]

Thanks, we'll have to check that out.

we just picked up a transmission along with the engine bar, and shifter linkage. supposedly this transmission is from a shop (which moved to Alabama or Arkansas or something, but had someone working under them who had worked for nasa.) long story. anyways supposedly this transmission might have been rebuilt but im not sure. anyone know a shop like that? i want to find out if it really has been rebuilt or not. the tranny is wrapped with cellophane wrap looks like it has been shipped before (but the guy bought it along with a 914 in person)

also would anyone know if a 72 shifter will work for the 75 SS tranny linkage?