specialty Autoworks? just heard about them??????????any feedback????

someone just mentioned the name specialty autoworks when I told them I am on a search for a IM roadster, I never heard of them, anyone know about them??????????

Sure, what do you want to know? You can e-mail me offline if you would prefer.
Hoss

Jane: Hoss is the resident guru aka grand puba when it comes to SAW Speedsters. I'm in the process of having one built. Along with Hoss, Steve O'Brian and Stuart Eisenkraft each have one on the road. SAW has been building fiberglass replicas for over 30 years. SAW engineered a mid-engine Speedster using a water-cooled Subaru engine. Check out their web site and Hoss's, Steves' and Stuart's comments on their cars. You won't find any used SAWs so if budget is restrictive you might want to look at other makers.

Jane hit the link (banner ad at the top of the page) for a look at their website.

You may email me with specific questions. My car is in storage now, and I can't wait to get it out. This is shaping up to be a bad winter in Iowa.


SAW is shorthand for Specialty Autoworks on this site.

You can also go to my website for more pictures and such

www.porschereplica.1colony.com

Very nice picture Steve!!! If it gets too cold you're welcome to visit here again....the lows today were in the high '70's and sunny: perfect convertible weather....

And then there is Bill Re in the Boston area. His car is the silver flaired Cabriolet on the SAW website. He is not a member of this forum, however. I observed his car going together. It's a really nice one with the classic silver color and dark blue leather interior and matching stayfast top. Those big 7" rims with the huge "meats" make the car look really cool in a non-traditionalist kind of way.

Thanks Ricardo, we are going on a cruise this year, but it leaves out of Houstan. Too bad, really I would love to go for a ride in your car on the island.

Anytime Bud..as they say "Mi casa es su casa" or my home is your home....

Im still researching Speedsters and could someone explain those whells on SAW cars. What are they and why are they using these type of wheels vs original looking wheels? SAW's cars are quite impressive but am I not seeing correctly.

Not certain what you are seeing, but the standard SAW wheel is a 6" wide ten slot rim that is five lug, but not wide five. With this wheel configuration and the way the hubcaps are retained, you see more of the actual wheel rim than on other applications.

John, I think the point he is making is they don't look like any wheel ever produced by Porsche, then or now.

I wish someone would produce rims for replica cars that the "super" hubcap would fit like the originals. Everything I have ever seen they aren't exactly the same.

As for the SAW rims they are more economical then having special ones made to fit the wheel bolt pattern. Like most things, you could have some made, but would it be worth it, to some people yes and to others no. The SAW rims have a different look in the slots then the originals is the biggest difference I see.

I think thats also why a lot of guys like going without the hubcap....it looks a little more like the original racers...JMO

Maybe the later wheels for disc brake equipped 356's or 912's would fit? It looks like a similar bolt pattern.....

If what I told you is the case Hoss; then you may be able to install Fuchs wheels and that would look killer too!!!!

That may be true, Ricardo. The wheel/cap combo looks a bit more like the later series cars. But in any event, if you like the car but are not certain about the wheels, talk to builder Steve and get his thoughts on the subject; he is very approachable.

For my part, I realize that the wheels may not be correct, but that was not the overwhelming reason I chose the car and builder. In the final analysis, you should collect and analyze all the facts you can, carefully consider your wants, needs and budget, and given that, go with the car that lights your fire. That's what I did and I'm very pleased with the results.

That's one to think about Ricardo and I appreciate the suggestion. When you talk (or write), I listen. But for now, I'll play the contrarian and drive my amorphous Cabrio and continue to enjoy the hell out of it.

"amorphous Cabrio"

Didn't that creature die out with the last ice age?

Someone makes a completely polished or chrome fuch style rim that I think would look killer.

BTW you can buy the "replica" Fuchs for fraction of the price($149.50).They are 5.5jx15 w/o center cap.Bolt pattern 5-130.www.mooneyes.com

Or..you could buy my original 6x15 Fuchs, polished with polished center caps and alot less weight for $200 each. And I can guarantee that they are ROUND. I just had the polish touched up by a local wheel polish specialist when I bought an older set.

I do like the way they look on Dale's car. I think they will be a must have item on the next one.

Already thinking of a new car, Steve?

I have always planned on doing a speedster down the road. I'm saving my pennies, I will be ready in about 2 years, to do the project. I won't be selling my Cabriolet, just adding to the stable.

I am located 90 miles from "SAW". Although did not get a car from them, the owner, Steve, is very knowledgeable, and certainly appears to take his time. For Steven O.Brien (Iowa), I drove your car during construction, and you certainly have a beauty. I know keeping that white leather clean will keep you busy. I for one did like mid engine drive. SAW's motors from donor (wrecked) Subarus (WRX, CRX ?) with less thn 5k miles on them.

Tom,
If you would be interested, I am, together with a Spyder owner from Maryville and a Speedster owner from Nashville, planning to do a drive in early Spring. E-mail me if you would like to be included on the mailing list.
Hoss

Just to clarify, the donor engine and drivetrains can come out of just about any Subaru with the Boxer engine. Forrester and the Outback are the most common cars so they are also the most common engine donor.

Just to really clarify the subaru situation, GOOGLE "subaru head gasket" and see what a lot of unlucky, because they bought a subaru, people found out at 60-75,000 miles on the boxer motor in their subaru. The local dealer had no way of fixing this for my wife's car, a forester, after two tries, and then they offered 6800 dollars for a trade in on the forester, the toyota dealer gave us 11 something, I traded it in, because I couldn't sell a total piece of junk to a real live person, Subaru has NO IDEA how to fix this, just do a patch and then wait till the 100.000 mile mark passes and then you are on your own, great cars and great car company. If you want a subaru ANYTHING, please check this out. David Barrett 559 876 3217 PLEASE give me a call if you are considering a subaru purchese, I wil try to help

David, this is true on the 2.5 DOHC engine especially. I don't believe they have had any problems since 2000 and on, but I could be wrong. I'm trusting what a friend of mine told me that owns a Subaru dealership. There was a generation of engines before that for awhile that were a real problem, but you would be hard pressed to find an engine that old that SAW is willing to use.

Steven, mine was a 2001, 2.5 and yes subaru has made a bunch of motors that make good power, Mine did for 60,000 and then I was told and found out, it could not be fixed enought to trust it for a trip to the coast, or to town, and that subaru would not back up a total engineering screw up. I THOUGHT the 2001 motor would be good, as I would THINK a 2006 motor would be good, Subaru cost me something like 10,000 american dollars. Out of my account, out of my pocket, MORE than I paid for my IM speedster, I hope SAW won't use a motor that dies on the road and has to be towed home, not once but a couple of times, before you have to dump it because you just don't trust it. I think the SAW cars I have seen are very nice cars. I just don't trust Subaru to do anything right, not after my experience and check writing because of them.
David Barrett 559 876 3217

I took your suggestion on googling info and found owners complaining about the 2.5 cooling and head gasket through 2003 with a recall fix through 2002s. "Some" newer ones through 2004 show a problem with pinging, piston slap and excessive oil burning. (Did Stewart have an oil use problem?)


But, even new ACVW engines have issues. Webers are finicky, it takes an external cooler to keep them running at a good temp range, and the longevity of a built stroked T-1 is not close to what is the norm for many engines.

The Difference I see is this: Most of the ACVW repairs are within my abilities and budget to deal with. And I can make a roadside repair on many issues. Parts are cheap and available, and my engine contains all new parts, including the case. But, blow a Suby head gasket, crack a head, or have a 2.5 using a qt of oil every 1000 miles, and you've got a major issue costing much more than a new stroked ACVW longblock runs.

It may be cost prohibitive to some, but I think I would go with a newer or new engine if I was having a SAW built. More power to Steve and Hoss, and I truly wish both of them 200,000 miles of happy motoring. I just think having 30++++ in a new custom built replica, I would take the leap for a new engine.

My 2 Cents, with an admission that ACVWs have their own unique issues.

David, thank you for clarifying the Subaru situation. I have heard of the head gasket problem and also another one that involves major valve train damage when timing belts are not changed at prescribed intervals. It seems that the phase 1 DOHC engines are of an "interference" design and can have major mechanical problems if the timing belt fails.

These two potential problems were given careful consideration when I was making my purchase decision. I don't know how likely they are for the typical owner (I don't have any statistics....do you???), but they were a factor in my choosing a 2.2L engine, one that came out of an Imprezza. This engine, according to information I gathered on the ultimatesubaru dot com website, is considered virtually bullet proof. So far, the engine has been fine and served me very well. Perhaps in ten years or so when I approach the mileage range you are talking about, I will revisit the matter and let ya'll know how the little mill is doing.

In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy the hell out of my little Red Cabrio. Had a great run with sweet bride and Alibi (Cocker Spaniel) across the Foothills Parkway today. First run of 2006! :-)
Hoss
ps. Jim, I'm pretty certain Stuart has the 2.2L engine also. I think his problems have included engine management (ie. computer), the speedometer and a faulty shift linkage. Last I heard, he's doing fine too. Stu, you out there?

Stuart's problems were pretty much all related back to the master cylinder for the clutch not working properly.

The speedometer was a problem because the gauges needed to be changed for the more modern engine and some changes that were made.

I actually wouldn't fix the engine in my car if it had a major failure. I would find another salvage engine and just pull the old one and put the new one in. This would not only be quicker, but also cost me less then a rebuild on a VW engine or a major repair on the Suby, and I would be able to start fresh all over again.

I can get a replacment engine from the salvage yard for about 1299, and thats a pretty low mileage engine. My subaru guy tells me, that anything requiring an engine tear down is not worth doing, because the availability of salvage engines and ease of swapping them out.

I checked the service bulletins and the service bulletin for the head gasket was on the 2.5 up to 2001. Now that doesn't mean that they majically made the perfect engine after that, there are always inherent design problems on most any engine.

Steven, while I appreciate what you are saying, it's just never that simple. First you have to trouble shoot the engine to determine if the repair will cost less or more than a replacement engine including the time/money to install it. That step alone will cost time and money, and I just can't see guys replacing engines every time they have a problem. It's a lot more work to replace a Subby engine than an ACVW engine.

And what if you replace the engine an then discover that the problem is with one of the control systems/computers, or some other part that is not on the engine?

Yes, if you sieze the engine, a swap is an obvious fix, but other than that, it's just not that straight forward.

Just my thoughts.

ummmm....I should have been more clear, your right, regardless of the type of engine you will have a cost in figuring it out first. I wouldn't replace the engine if it was a computer problem or such, but I guess I thought we were talking about problems that required tearing down part of the engine heads or case, not all the other little stuff.

Just checked with Steve at SAW about the 2.5 engine problems and he said he was aware of a problem that the early high RPM four cam 2.5 engines did have a head gasket and overheating problem and doesn't use them in his builds. He uses later model low milage 2 cam engines. While obtaining listings of available engines he has noted many engines having 100K to over 200K miles logged, these of course were passed up but it shows that many have a long life on the road.. I know that with Steve's engineering experience and integrity he would not use an engine that wouldn't last; he also mentioned that he has three companies that specializes in rebuilding Subaru engines, if necessary. As with any engine, there are horror stories recorded; I won't even begin to tell you about my 73 Vega.

Chevy Vega - the world's first biodegradable car...

Gz

I had the following problems;
1)the clutch slave cylinder had issues being to big and having a tiny leak which affected the engagement of gears.
2) As a result I broke a shifter cable as a direct result of the slave cylinder situation.
Steve at SAW has stood behind the car and we have changed the slave cylinder and installed a new shifting cable. I had the opportunity to drive the car just after XMASS in Sun VAlley and it was a blast. The heater actually worked better than I thought but it was still cold as hell!
All in all I will be able to report futher this spring but it all seems to be in good working order now. Was very frustrating.
Stuart

Hey Hoss happy New Year dude!+#*%$#
You are correct I have the 2.2L No oil problems, no head gasket problems.