EJ** Subie Power

Hey, so I was wondering if anyone had experience with eBay-found Subaru engines and their applications in Spyders mated to VW transaxles.

Has anyone mated a Subaru EJ25 or EJ20TT to a transaxle on their own? How hard is it and is the performance good? I know they make adapters, but the wiring and everything... it seems tough. The other thing I love is how the intake points to the back of the engine. Perfect for the mid-engined Spyder!

I am leaning towards refurbing an EJ25, because it's N/A and is a modern engine. I would also love a turbo'd EJ25 STI engine, but a turbo in a Spyder? Haha, that'd confuse the hell out of people. As much as I want a kickass Type-1 engine, it's hard to beat the cheapness, reliability, and water-cooled goodness of a Subaru longblock.

I just wondered what the performance numbers were on these when installed with a well-geared transaxle.

Thanks.

Or, as I was doing more eBay and Wikipedia research, the greatest two sites ever made, another cheap, powerful engine is the EJ20TT from a Subaru Legacy. It has twin sequential turbos and makes 280 horses from a 2.0L. That sounds awesome.

Again, anyone make Subaru power on their own? Advice for building the transaxle so the gearing is good?

You could always REALLY simplify things and use a 2wd Legacy transaxle...

Adaptors are ready made for VW and 901.
angela

I'm in the process of re-building my 2.5 subaru engine that's been in my sand rail since 1996. The only reason I'm re-building it is because my frame broke and crushed the oil filter housing breaking off pieces of the aluminum case. This has probably been the greatest engine I've ever used in a dune buggy.

Back in 1996, Sand Sports Magazine did a 4 or 5 page spread dealing with the process of my installation. VW's ruled the sand dunes for years and it was very unusual to have alternative power.

About 3 or 4 months after the article was published, a load of Subaru builders popped up selling Subaru engines. Although I wasn't the first to do this, I believe I started the Subaru revolution as a vast majority of the early builders knew who I was and often times, called me for advice or information.

The reason I state that I wasn't the first was becasue Kennedy already had an adapter plate to mate the Subaru to a VW transaxle. I have an 091 Bus transaxle and the adapter plate and flywheel work perfectly. (according to Kennedy, the plate was adapted because some people were installing Subaru engines into VW busses.)

The biggest problem is mounting and plumbing a radiator withing the limited confines of a Speedster or Spyder. The next problem arises in your choice of electronics. In my case, I used an aftermarket computer and injectors along with an aftermarket turbo and intercooler. Finally, fabricating an exhaust will round up the major hurdles.

In a Speedster or Spyder, a stock Subaru propels the car VERY nicely and doesn't generate the heat that a turbo engine produces.

Regarding your trans, a 3.44 or 3.88 Ring and Pinion works nicely. You can do some gear replacement to bring the gears closer but a stock 4th works well. Go for welded gears, a 4 spyder differential, heavy duty side plates and you're good to go.

I'm the Administrator of www.spyderclub.com and many of our members have Subaru engines in the Spyders. There are also several members on this board that have Subaru powered Speedsters.

It's a great choice

Larry

What is a 4 spyder differential? And is it possible to put a limited slip in a vw transaxle? Preferably Torsten.

Tim

Actually it's a (4) spider gear differential. Instead of having only 2 spider gears, a "super dif" has (4) Helps to transfer power from the differential to the axles.

The only limited slip differential that I know of that will fit in a Type 1 transaxle is a Quaif. With that system, 3.44's won't work and you have to use the 3.88 Ring and pinion.

http://www.quaife.co.uk/QUAIFE-AMERICA

Thanks so much for the great response.

I am thinking of building up an EJ25 and turbo-ing it moderately, just around 8 or 9 pounds of boost as to keep the stock internals on the engine, so this advice helps tremendously. If you want to see exactly how to build up an EJ25 and what parts needed, check out the motor matrix on Outfront Motorsports' website.

As for transaxle though, you make great suggestions on how to build a good one. However, what model or kind of transaxle should I go for? Or does it matter? Looking at performance transmissions gives me options for T-1 and T-3 transmission. Any certain benefits to either one? Do you have any suggestions for specific vendors of transmissions? That'd be really helpful. Thanks again.

type 1 and type 3 transaxles are pretty much the same up to 1967. The difference basically is the axle length. After that, VW went to IRS so, the factor to be concerned with is your car going to be swing axle or IRS. In either case, the internals are pretty much the same.

I don't know where you live but here in So. Calif. Rancho, KCR, Wright Gear box are just a few of the many transaxle builders worth doing business with.

You want to know something funny?

I live in Southern California, automotive heaven, but in a year and a half I am moving out to St. Louis, Missouri. So, why don't I just get a move on and get my stuff together now? Because I don't have any money, and I won't have the money until after I move and get a job.

Yeah, so here I am in gorgeous So. Cal and when I finally build my Spyder I'll have to ship all the parts, find a new mechanic, and be stuck only able to take my Spyder out in the dry, warmer months in flippin' St. Louis! I do love that city, but it is missing a coastal highway and temperate weather.