DOes any maker other than SAW offer Subaru power as an option?
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DOes any maker other than SAW offer Subaru power as an option?
Nope.
I gather that intermeccanica is working on making a water-cooled tub... it is a VW. there is a post about it on the boards here, I'm hoping find out more and will be watching the thread for the time being.
If you want an exclusively Subaru motor you'll have to go with SAW
If you want an exclusively Subaru motor you'll have to go with SAW
Hold it now - there are readily available adapters (Kennedy?)to put a Subaru onto the rear end of a standard T1 VW transmission - just like VW. Mechanically it's definitely doable. Tons of sandrails have them. Don't know about clearance to a speedster body with a back motored Subie. I guess that is the issue, plus radiator openings.
About three years ago I ran across a guy in Chula Vista, CA who had a turbo mid-engined Subaru under his speedster. His solution was to just cut off the rear half of the VW pan and weld in his own subframe. I believe he used a flipped VW tranny to achieve mid-engine configuration. Had his own fiberglassed air scoops up front to feed the radiater. Lotsa custom interior panels too. Shoulda taken my camera.
About three years ago I ran across a guy in Chula Vista, CA who had a turbo mid-engined Subaru under his speedster. His solution was to just cut off the rear half of the VW pan and weld in his own subframe. I believe he used a flipped VW tranny to achieve mid-engine configuration. Had his own fiberglassed air scoops up front to feed the radiater. Lotsa custom interior panels too. Shoulda taken my camera.
Sorry, I thought that the question was about commercial makers, not homebuilders.
I agree with David, there are subie/vw adaptors around. Also I wonder if the 2wd subaru transaxles are adaptable to reversing the ring and pinion. That would be sweet wouldn't it? Then you could have a subie speedster, with the engine facing the rear using its original japanese 5 speed transaxle!
angela
angela
Hi all,
an EJ Subauru engine will fit in the confines of a speedster body when mated to a type 1 tranny via adapter, I have a picture here on my PC to prove it. I think it may be a Carey Hines (Beck) car? If anyone wants this Photo I can email it to someone.
I understand the oil pan needs to be shortened by several inches for ground clearance.
Angela, the Subaru's tranny cannot be flipped, it's casing is not symmetrical and the gears are hypoid, so will not run backwards even if you could modify the case. The only viable way would be to run the tranny upside down, which creates it's own clearance issues. This has been discussed in detail here:- www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=85473
If you want to see a turbo EJ Subaru in a speedster look here:- www.ricola.co.uk/
The water cooled cars ideally require the spare wheel well to be used for radiator space and some ducting to get the air in and out cleanly, and 2 large diameter water tubes running front to back.
Regards
Nick
an EJ Subauru engine will fit in the confines of a speedster body when mated to a type 1 tranny via adapter, I have a picture here on my PC to prove it. I think it may be a Carey Hines (Beck) car? If anyone wants this Photo I can email it to someone.
I understand the oil pan needs to be shortened by several inches for ground clearance.
Angela, the Subaru's tranny cannot be flipped, it's casing is not symmetrical and the gears are hypoid, so will not run backwards even if you could modify the case. The only viable way would be to run the tranny upside down, which creates it's own clearance issues. This has been discussed in detail here:- www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=85473
If you want to see a turbo EJ Subaru in a speedster look here:- www.ricola.co.uk/
The water cooled cars ideally require the spare wheel well to be used for radiator space and some ducting to get the air in and out cleanly, and 2 large diameter water tubes running front to back.
Regards
Nick
I thought that would work - bad news about the subie trans though. But point is, it does work! And with with water pipes going to the front - wal-la - you have a heater. Hmmm.... heater....
angela
angela
I think the SAW Speedsters put their radiator in one of the rear fenders behind the wheel. It seems to get plenty of air flow and leaves the front available for luggage.
Nope. Well sorta NOPE. If you are lucky enough to live in Australia you might try this outfit. I saw some video of this on one of the car video sites.
http://www.rcspeedsters.com.au/
http://www.rcspeedsters.com.au/
Frankly, I think the front area on my SAW is handy for stuff, but luggage is not one of them. You need to use a garment bag to fit nicely. I would rather have a bigger fuel tank and second radiator up front for the a/c coil.
But, the subaru plumbing is very finicky, you would still want the heater to have the hot water being supplied via the subaru bypass system.
But, the subaru plumbing is very finicky, you would still want the heater to have the hot water being supplied via the subaru bypass system.
Hey Dale, maybe an Australian Subie trans does run in the other direction - after all, they are in the southern hemisphere.
Parting thought - John Steele was doing T4 conversions early on, when everyone else was only offering T1. He has also done several Cobra's and a variety of street rods and other conversions. Suggest giving him a cal at JPS. Thunder Ranch sseems to offer customized packages also. Just bring your money.