What are peoples thoughts on a Subaru engined conversion, I was thinking it might fit in a non tranverse way i.e engine and gearbox in-line. As it is a flat four the engine is quite ‘short’ so may fit. I know that the VW Beetle chaps are using this engine connected to beetle gearboxes.
Why ? Surely if you want turbo power an already done solution (Audi) is a better move?
Done the measurments mate and it wont fit. It is still to long if you want to keep the standard wheelbase, ad leave the fuel tank where it is. Plus Subaru don’t do a 2wd gearbox option that would work, plus the gear linkage would be horrible.
Good luck, mate. Keep us posted as to how you get on - will ensure we are glued to our monitors over the winter months
I will probably go the tried and tested route of Audi, however just wanted to throw a few thoughts around. Subaru do a 2 wheel box for engine, also VW & Porsche boxes fit. I was thinking a flat four engine would keep CofG a lot lower and its all alloy compared to Audi lump.
For your info have a look at this pic, it is a saker track car from down under.
http://www.saker.co.nz/engines/sprintengine.html
It would also kick out a lot of power with very little upgrade, as some of the jap standard engines are 330 bhp and more.
If you are looking for someone to look at your car and see if it will fit, i know a subaru mechanic who is interested in trying to get one to fit - he has talked to me about this in the past, looking at an elise. His garage in near York. Let me know (email or pm me) if you are interested and I will dig out his contact details, or do a search for RE Motorsport.
I dont have a lotus, only subaru’s, so Im sure if you can get your car to him it would be an easy thing to see what would work or not.
id love to see an impreza engine in one. have a try mate.
im interested in having a bash at this impreza conversion. can you forward me the guys number and ill have a chat with him, i can soon supply a car for the job. i think that would be even better than my Audi lump.
I think the real problem will be packaging the engine, it will be difficult to install transversely due to manifolding considerations and longitudinal installation may give a problem since amidships mounting will intrude into the cockpit and rear mounting will put a lot of weight behind the rear axle line rather like a Porsche which may give handling and plumbing issues to solve.
I have been involved and given advice on a number of builds of kit cars where the owner has wanted to use the impreza engine but abandoned the idea in the face of just these difficulties.
I’d be interested to see the proposed schematic for installation.
Dave
I was trying to think how much different in size the Elise was to a Porsche 914? Plenty of people put Subaru lumps into campers with the same VW type 4 engine but I guess the Elise engine bay was never designed for a longitudinal installation… then again, there are Elises with V6 engines running around… not much Elise left in them though…
I think the V6 engines are tranverse installation, all in all a V6 is not much longer than a straight four when you look at the placement of the cylinders, it is a lot wider though…
Dave
I have looked at using this engine as have at least 3 others. It won’t fit, from driveshaft centreline to front of the engine it’s too long. Unless you relocate the fuel tank and cut through the bulkhead. But then you will lose a lot of chassis stiffness. Also there aren’t any suitable sensibly priced transmissions available that could handle any useful amount of power.
I agree on paper it sounds like a good idea but once you have the parts in front of you you will come to realise these problems.
As for the Audi engine being prehistoric, response number 27.
Bernard
Lotus managed to put a V6 with hewland type box in an Exige. http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2005-Lotus-Sport-Exige.htm
I didn’t say it was going to be cheap but I still think it is possible, the noise of the boxer on full song is enough of a reason 
much nicer engine than Audi lump. Don’t get me wrong I like the Audi engine, I have one in the back of my Westfield XTR4 complete with Emerald ECU, Gt28RS turbo, custom manifold and charge cooler. I guess I like a challenge. Also isn’t there someone who has managed to squeeze an Audi V6 twin turbo in an Exige/Elise?
Lotus managed to put a V6 with hewland type box in an Exige. > http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2005-Lotus-Sport-Exige.htm
I didn’t say it was going to be cheap but I still think it is possible, the noise of the boxer on full song is enough of a reason >
Hewland box = expensive. �7000 to �14000
I agree the flat four sounds very nice when on song. But you would be surprised how nice the Audi can sound with the right exhaust.
There was the Lotus Esthi with the Audi V6. Ken Pegg on here has got the one and only running car.
Check out:Esthi
Because they had to leave the bulkhead and fuel tank where they were the driveshaft angles are not ideal and the gearbox hangs out behind the wheels by miles.
Bernard
Was the Esthi ever driven hard ?.. what did it handle like with all the extra weight ?
Was the Esthi ever driven hard ?.. what did it handle like with all the extra weight ?
You had better ask Ken. I drove it for maybe 20 miles and you could definitely feel the extra weight at the back. Remember it weighs nearly 1000 kg. Blistering performance though.
Bernard
…As for the Audi engine being prehistoric, response number 27.
Bernard
lol pmsl !!