Specialty Autoworks, Inc. new Subaru / Speedster

After going through their web site, the new version sounds promising. How has the feedback been from the buyers? Thoughts on the car?

I don't think that anyone on this forum has purchased one yet.
Ron

I'm don't think anyone on the planet has bought one yet. Aren't they still workin' out the kinks on a prototype? That was my impression.

John is quite correct. There are not any Subytubs out in the field yet.
I hope to be among the first and will probably give Steve a down payment as soon as my Speedster's buyer completes her transaction with me. SAW is close enough to me that I will be able to observe the construction process on a frequent basis and I hope to post pictures as the process progresses. My current plans are to go with the Cabriolet model.
John H.
P.S. I'm planning on visiting tomorrow to test drive the generation #2 prototype Speedster. This one has the 2.5L engine and Steve claims it is pretty fast. It will be a chilly drive with temps forecast at only 42 degrees. The car does not have a top, so I'll see how the heater works to keep at least the lower body somewhat warm. Anybody got a snowmobile suit I can borrow????

Wow.....you are going to freeze to death, but what a way to go....keep us posted

We canadians play hockey outside in colder weather!!

Might I suggest a full face helmet and gloves and if the car really does move the way SAW claims, then you will look appropriate!

My 2 cents worth!

Enjoy the drive!

John: Did you note if the Suby engine is of the DOHC variety. If it is
RUN!

BD

42 degrees...no big deal. Up here, in Canada, we don't start wearing a jacket (when driving with the top down) until it drops below 40 degrees. When the other Ron and I went in to visit Brian (when he was up to look at his new IM) it was 2 or 3 degrees above freezing. I had the top down and Ron complained because he had to put on his jacket...said it was too cold just wearing his tee shirt.
Ron
p.s. some of the above story may not be true

Ron,

You are right. I think us NW guys are hearty, (or retarded,)
as I look out my windows now, the golf course is loaded with guys playing golf. It is 48 and raining pretty good. Yesterday they were playing in T shirts and it was 50. Guess today their balls are getting wet but you got to do what you got to do.

Bruce

Bill D: The web site from Specialty says it is a 137 hp SOHC. But, then again, the web site also said they'd be in production by now. Any concerns for the SOHC engine? I'm leaning toward an IM at this point, but the Specialty concept seemed worth a look.

What's wrong with a DOHC Subie motor?

Bruce, I wear plastic underpants when golfing in the rain...my balls never get wet.

Ron

I'm going to ask the same question as Ron, with one extra question.....why are some engines made SOHC and others made DOHC and then theres the 4cam.....can someone explain why engine manufacturers do this and what are the drawbacks vs advantages?

Ron: Subaru DOHC's seem to have problems with head gaskets,
timingbelts and tensioner failures and some lubrication issues. They also, in their infinite wisdom changed from non-interference designs to interference designs. I bought a used 98 Outback last week and the motor
is toast this week due to the belt tensioner mount bolt broke off. The valves collided with each other. I also don't like the idea that this grade 10 bolt threads into an aluminum block. Could be some stripping out issues there in my book.(=worry) They have since reverted back to a SOHC
design, but I believe it is still interference in design. My 87 DL
wagon threw a belt once, just slapped on a new one and kept rolling. Now I have another flat four to work on! Fortunately, I've found another great forum like this one for Subarus, and have learned a ton of info on these motors. All in all, once I get this all fixed up, it should be ok. It is a really nice car. I figured my 87 never let me down and was easy to work on, so why not a newer one. Ah what the heck, more quality time
gettin down an' dirty in the garage.

BD

Bill, whats the name of the forum?

Steven: You can find it at usmb.ultimatesubaru.net/

BD

Bill,
I forgot to ask which version (SOHC or DOHC) the 2.5L was. It ran fine and seemed to have lots of torque even in 5th at 2,500 rpm. Interesting drive, all things considered. I dressed in layers and wore a ski cap so I didn't freeze my b...s off or any other body parts as a matter of fact. Let's go play hockey and get the puck oudda here.
John H.

John: I checked their site and they have both engines available. The DOHC engines of 96-99 are referred to as "Phase One" engines. These were not
the best and were replaced with the SOHC "Phase Two" Motor in '00. I
suspect the $$ put out in warranty work may have prompted the change.
I will say that the DOHC motor w/auto. trans moved my Outback wagon
quickly. It was a little suprising. Then it broke <:(

BD

Bill,
The information you are providing seems to match what I discovered upon visiting the website mentioned in an earlier post. It sounds like the phase 1 motor is a good one to avoid. More complex, more weight and "eats head gaskets for lunch" sound like red flags to me. My current thinking is the possibility of ordering an engine based on the 2.2L but with a little more oomph, and no, I don't mean a turbo. We'll see what the offerings will be pretty soon. This is a developing story and may offer some interesing choices. I for one am still very excited and am hanging in there.
John H.

John somewhere out there is a crashed WRX with your name on it.
Ron

Of course I don't mean that you crashed it, or crashed into it....but wouldn't that motor be nice? Probably too much work to make it fit/go, but dreaming is free.
Ron

Ron, yes I did. I hope that the casts are removed soon enough that I'll be able to drive the new one. I've been told that the detached retina will not hinder my vision badly and the blood in my urine may disappear in four of five years. The cervical vertebra damage might cause me to lean to one side, but I'll still be able to see out the window. I think I'll still be able to shift reasonably well with my two remaining fingers but will opt for an automatic if I can't. The crack in my breastbone is healing nicely. All in all, I'm pretty lucky. After the litigation is finished, I assure you that a WRX driver will never do battle with a Scott's Lawn tractor again.
So there
John H.
mending well, thank you.

John, I recommend that you stop fixating on looking at your urine. Yellow, dark brown, red...what does it matter? Leaning to one side is not a bad thing...it gives you a different slant on life. Two fingers are all you need...as long as one of them is your middle finger, and yes, I think that the WRX motor would be a good fit in your Scotts Lawn tractor.
Ron

Ron, once again I appreciate your affirming words; You always know just what to say. BTW, due to the extent of the facial disfiguration, I have been informed that my screen tests for the Lon Chaney-like roles have been given high marks. The added side benefit is that I won't even have to spend two to three hours in makeup. Thanks to your encouragement, I am planning to organize a p...ing contest where the winning is based upon the color rather than the height. My new credo will be it's the color that matters in ale and urine.
John H.

It seems odd to me that a company like Subaru would still be having problems with a busted tensioner with so much time in development for the Boxter engine. Even my old Escort GT that required me to drill a hole through the inner fender to get a socket on the main pulley bolt to change a timing belt, didn't snap off the whole tensioner. Also this switching from Dohc to Sohc is unproffesional in this day and age. If the Dohc was a bad idea to start with because of very long timing belt runs that good engineering models should have detected that from the start.

I am now looking into buying an SAW not mainly for the engine but because of the rear and front suspension. I like the idea of being able to get a little stupid without having to worry that the rear end is going to come around. Last week I absent mindedly had my foot a little bit too much into it while my 93 Miata and I were taking a right turn at a light. The rear end slid out a bit and before I had time to react it came right back under while under power. Albeit the car has extra stiff sway bars, KYB adjustable shocks and Yokahama AVS semi race tires (AVS) , but the car is always easy to catch even for an amateur like me.

Thanks for the input Ron.

This may be a bit off topic but one of the members has a nice Suby powered speedster her built. Check out Ricola Racing on the website.

Brian

How did the Scooby Speedster handle? I'm really interested in these myself, although it might be a while before I make any decisions. How is the turbo engine progressing?

On a side note, I e-mailed Steve about the PGO speedster II and he said that they could probably replicate it without the longer wheelbase. Is it just me or does Steve's flares look bigger than PGO's (which remind me of 80-early 90s 911)?

Arvin, which Steve are you talking about?
Ron

It has a radiator- Yuck

Jake....different strokes.
Arvin.....handling was very sensitive. Steve has had an alignment performed since I drove the prototype and I hope to drive it again soon. I'll post when this happens. No news that I am aware of on the turbo. I'm not interested in this part of the project anyway.
John H.

Sorry Ron,

The one and only Steve from Specialty Autoworks!

Thanks Arvin
Ron

Different strokers for different folkers

I drove the generation 2 Speedster today (it was in the 50's & sunny) and it was like a different car. It handled really great and shifting was vastly improved. I plan to place an "official" order by the end of the week. You go Steve! I'm hopeful of having a completed car ready for the big trip to Carlisle. Now, if I can just make some detail decisions. Just what does "Signal Red" look like? I've already ruled out guards red, not my cup of tea; too orangey. I am considering torch red which another board member has on his IM. Man, this is so exciting I feel like I'm gonna hurl.
John H.

Sounds great, I was wondering about the shifting also.

By the way, does Steve use the Impreza or the Legacy engine?

PS, I like that color...Also check Jordan's car, which has a beautiful red/cream combo.

John,

Good luck with your decisions. What is their projected build time once you place your order? We're all anxious to see your new Subytub at Carlisle!

Bruce, I think the build time will be about 3 months, depending on how much I help. Just kidding. I want to get it finished this year! Arvin, I don't know that much about Subaru models, but Steve is offering 2.2L and 2.5L choices. I don't know which engine goes with which car. I have elected to go with the smaller engine which I think will have plenty of power for my needs (almost twice what I had in Algebra). Also, I want to stay away from DOHC engines, especially if they are the interference design.

So tell me, who has a signal red paint job. Got digi-pix posted? Is it metallic or non-metallic? Thanks.
John H.

John,

I've got a signal red JPS. Look on their web site and in the gallery it is the Speedster sitting in front of the white covered bridge.
I read,(red) your comments about Guards Red. The formula for both Signal and Guards are the same, same paint I've been told by John Steele. That is a authentic Speedster color, I remember the color from
the late 50's when a guy I was in the Army had one that color. It was a new car, fresh from der fatherland.


West Coast Bruce

John,

Forgot, it is non metallic, Urathane paint. Looks so shiny, love it!

Bruce