818 axles

[tmoretta]

I am in the midst of a mechanical conundrum. I have taken apart a front and rear half shaft (axle) from my WRX donor car. I have tried every possible combination of axle and inside and outside CV joints and have yet to come up with a combination that will allow the Subaru front transmission to drive (mate up with) the rear hubs. Is Factory Five supplying some modified joints or something? I can't figure it out.

[RM1SepEx]

they are providing axles, use your front inners and rear outer CV's. Use the front outer CV stub to hold that front spindle assembly together w/o the guts, just stub axles.

[tmoretta]

Now that makes sense. Can't wait to get more clarification on exactly what we need to save from the donors.

[Wayne Presley]

Now that makes sense. Can't wait to get more clarification on exactly what we need to save from the donors.

Here is a list of not well known parts needed.
Rear door hinges
rear door striker
rear door latch
E brake handle
seat belts
gas pedal (DBW or cable)



Other stuff I'm going to save just in case
trunk hinge
hood hinge
trunk and gas release cables
All of the switches
every nut and bolt removed.

[Xusia]

On the 818 FFR page it states the door hardware needed is the FRONT door. Can anyone from FFR comment on this and set us on the correct path?

[NicksPapaw]

Xusia, I believe you are right. Of course, Wayne is building a 4 door 818 so he will require extra parts. ;)

[Wayne Presley]

I talked to Jim at 2:30 PM yesterday, he specifically said rear door hinges and latches. He thought the front and rear hinges were the same.

[JAubin]

Along similar lines, most 02-07 WRX models have the stamped steel control arms, I'm a bit curious how they'll be attaching the coilover mount to that arm, since it appears you drill and tap the Aluminum Control arm. Technically you could thru-bolt it...but that doesn't seem like a great solution. I'm going to buy some Aluminum ones either way, and I know FFR has a solution to this, just curious what their approach will be.

[BrandonDrums]

Along similar lines, most 02-07 WRX models have the stamped steel control arms, I'm a bit curious how they'll be attaching the coilover mount to that arm, since it appears you drill and tap the Aluminum Control arm. Technically you could thru-bolt it...but that doesn't seem like a great solution. I'm going to buy some Aluminum ones either way, and I know FFR has a solution to this, just curious what their approach will be.

Could be just as easy if not easier with the stamped control arms. There's a hole in practically the exact spot on the bottom of the control arm that would allow you to drill through the top of the arm and thread on the nut on through the hole on the bottom.

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww6/erikkellison/Car%20Parts/_MG_0018.jpg

[RM1SepEx]

One of mine was crushed to look like a pretzel... easy to buy a pair of the pretty AL arms and the undamaged steel arm went for $53 on EBay

[JAubin]

Could be just as easy if not easier with the stamped control arms. There's a hole in practically the exact spot on the bottom of the control arm that would allow you to drill through the top of the arm and thread on the nut on through the hole on the bottom.

Ahhh good deal, Hadn't seen the bottom view. I recall looking up the weight difference and it's only 1-2 lbs per side between the steel and aluminum models, but the aluminum ones just look so much nicer. And no rust of course.

[BrandonDrums]

Ahhh good deal, Hadn't seen the bottom view. I recall looking up the weight difference and it's only 1-2 lbs per side between the steel and aluminum models, but the aluminum ones just look so much nicer. And no rust of course.

I hear ya. From my understanding, Subaru switched back to the stamped steel ones because the aluminium ones weren't holding up in Rallycross. I imagine you can actually cross drill the stamped steel ones in a few other places to remove some additional weight but it's not worth it. Just have them sandblasted and re-painted and you'll be good.

Or you can buy brand new aftermarket ones from partsgeek.com for real cheap.

Also, I think the 818 won't be using the sway bars on the kit so you can hack off the swaybar mounts on the stamped steel ones and get the weight down as well. We'll see though.

[StatGSR]

I hear ya. From my understanding, Subaru switched back to the stamped steel ones because the aluminium ones weren't holding up in Rallycross.

I always heard that it was because they created more structural damage to the chassis in "light" accidents because they were so tough. Basically making repair ridiculously expensive instead of just being able to replace the control arm and go...

Im sure the switch back had more to do with cost than anything else though.

[PhyrraM]

It wasn't really a switch back. Virtually all Imprezas have always had steel control arms.

Some years and models (particularly STI trims) had the aluminum as a factory upgrade/option.

I wonder if any of the 818 prototypes have had steel arms?

[RM1SepEx]

My research indicated that the aluminum arms caused more chassis damage as they were stiffer. They are also 2 lbs lighter.
I can understand the desire to damage the arm vs the chassis in a minor accident. My 05 was hit hard enough in the roll over accident to bend the arm and the chassis...
I went to aluminum for the weight savings and they look much cooler.

[PhyrraM]

The aluminum arms grew out of Group N rally racing. The rules dictated a factory control arm, while winning dictated something strong enough to last an entire race's worth of abuse. The 4 piston calipers also sprouted from Group N rules, as did the larger STI hubs.

[metalmaker12]

To be honest I am a bit disappointed with FFR lack of communication on what is needed and what is not. I stripped my car nearly a year ago, and tried to save as much as I could, but I am pretty sure I got ride of stuff I will need. It might be a bracket or a hinge etc, and by themselves are cheep, but if I have to get a bunch of small parts they will add up. Also some parts are hard to get, and that is a pain. By now I would have figured we would know for sure. The car looks great, I still love factory five etc etc, can't wait to build my 818, but I think they could be better with giving us a more detailed list. Hopefully I will not need to much, but I would like to know.

[metalmaker12]

btw guys they have to be OEM cv's, another thing that has not been mentioned and should have

[flynntuna]

The good news is that by mid June we should know whats needed from 02-07 Impreza's, then we can start to determine if other donors such as foresters ect. could possibly work.

[THE ITALIAN]

I talked to Jim at 2:30 PM yesterday, he specifically said rear door hinges and latches. He thought the front and rear hinges were the same.
Wayne
Ok so let's get it straight, we need the REAR hinges & latches ? NOT the fronts ???
Thanks
Mike

[bnr32jason]

If they are the same, maybe we can use either?

[Xusia]

I talked to Jim at 2:30 PM yesterday, he specifically said rear door hinges and latches. He thought the front and rear hinges were the same.

THAT's just GREAT! My rears are pretty much destroyed, but the fronts are all good. Figures!!! LOL

[NicksPapaw]

So I guess the 4 door 818 is out of the question Wayne? :) If anyone on here wants to hear from a knowledgeable source, just read Wayne Presley's posts. He has a bit of an insiders perspective on FFR. Won't steer you wrong.

[wallace18]

Front and rear are the same. IMO.

[Samiam1017]

btw guys they have to be OEM cv's, another thing that has not been mentioned and should have

Why is this.

[JeromeS13]

Front and rear are the same. IMO.

They're different part numbers, but all the same price. So, I'm not sure if they're the same or not...

[Samiam1017]

I have some damaged front and rear doors. Ill take part and see if the fronts and rears look different.

[Wayne Presley]

To be honest I am a bit disappointed with FFR lack of communication on what is needed and what is not. I stripped my car nearly a year ago, and tried to save as much as I could, but I am pretty sure I got ride of stuff I will need. It might be a bracket or a hinge etc, and by themselves are cheep, but if I have to get a bunch of small parts they will add up. Also some parts are hard to get, and that is a pain. By now I would have figured we would know for sure. The car looks great, I still love factory five etc etc, can't wait to build my 818, but I think they could be better with giving us a more detailed list. Hopefully I will not need to much, but I would like to know.


I believe that FFR has been forthcoming on the car needed to supply the parts from but since they are now just assembling a production chassis based car, do you think it would be premature to post a list of exact parts need off the donor then keep revising it as engineering changes happen? Much easier do it once.
And when I asked Jim what parts I needed off the car his quote was " get everything". So I had to go back and get the fuel pump out of the tank since it gets re used...I thought I had everything

[metalmaker12]

As far as I know were only using the actual pump, and not the other portion of that assemble. Even with revisions a more up to date list should have been made and it should have been updated like every six months to keep us updated more, that's all. It can not be drastically different, so the updates would have been easy to accomplish. No biggy, it should not be anything major, and I am going to stop crying now and realize I am fortunate enough to be able to build this and be part the FFR community.

[Xusia]

I can see it both ways. But ultimately WE decided to get started BEFORE the car design was finalized/released, so I put that responsibility on US. If I have a buy a few parts because of that, so be it. Although in my case, it's unlikely I'll have my car stripped and disposed of before June 15, so I should be OK! ;)

[Samiam1017]

I just checked the front and rear door mechanisms, hinges and strike plates. The hinges are slightly different in the way there cut across the top but all the holes,angles and everything that matters are the same. They are different top to bottom. And all have different part numbers. The strike plates are all the same front to rear and left to right. Now the latching mechanism in the doors are different. Where the handle rod attaches are the Same but were the lock/unlock rod attaches is moved. But I'm sure that either would work with modified rods ( is FFR supplying this stuff or is factory stuff being used) as the mounting holes are the same.. I checked on an 02 sedan.

[metalmaker12]

I checked last night and did get the same results, we are not sure of any exact stuff till june 15

[AZPete]

About what you'll need from a donor, here's what is on the Factory Five web site. Note the part about "subject to change" and "If it is not listed above, DO NOT DISCARD."

Here is the list of parts that are being used currently on the prototype:
• Front spindles with full brakes and front lower control arms
• Rear spindles with brakes and e-brake handle/cables
• Steering rack, tie rod ends, and upper steering column assembly
• Pedal box and throttle pedal
• Master cylinder and brake booster, and clutch master cylinder
• Engine with turbo and intercooler (if WRX model)
• Exhaust manifolds, O2 sensors, and down tube
• Transmission
• Rear lower control arms, toe links, and CV joints
• Front seats, front seat belts, and gauge pod
• Fuel pump
• Radiator
• Wheels and tires
• Door hinges, front w/ latches, strikers, and inside door handles
• Side view mirrors, left and right
• Rear view mirror

If you have purchased a donor car and are in the process of disassembling and prepping parts, it is important to save as many parts as possible. The following list are parts that you can definitely resell or discard as they are not needed.

2002-2007 Subaru Impreza/WRX parts NOT NEEDED:
• Main body shell (BUT save all bolt-on brackets and hinges)
• All window glass
• Headlights and tail lights
• Rear differential
• Driveshaft
• Headliner and interior pillar moldings
• Carpets
• Front and rear suspension cross-members
• Front struts and springs
• Rear struts and springs
• Rear seat cushion, back, and rear seat belts
• Spare tire
• Fuel tank shell (but keep for fittings and internals)

*NOTE: The 818 prototype is being built and this parts list is subject to change. If it is not listed above, DO NOT DISCARD.

**STI’s drivetrain parts differ too much from a standard Imprezza or WRX for use as a single donor for the 818 platform

[07FIREBLADE]

Why do they habe to be OEM cv? Can anyone elaborate on this plz.

[RM1SepEx]

I can't belive some of you are complaining...

the list was pretty clear... don't need these things... keep everything else

I also bought my donor a year ago... I kept every stinking nut bolt and bracket

If I'm missing something Ebay, my local boneyards and my credit card should be be fully capable of resolving the situation. My donor had unexpected "issues" too, that is par for the course

[metalmaker12]

I am not complaining any longer, you and wayne are right, I just vented lol. Yes Ebay credit card, I am just getting build happy and I had an adult crying fit. :D

The OEM axle shafts and CV's are a certain spline dia. Many of the aftermarket shafts and CV's are different. FFR is suppling the front inner cv to Rear outer shaft to fit the OEM CV's only. So we are using the inner front and outer rear OEM CV's, with the FFR supplied inner shaft to fit OEM.

[IMPREZvWRX]

The OEM axle shafts and CV's are a certain spline dia. Many of the aftermarket shafts and CV's are different. FFR is suppling the front inner cv to Rear outer shaft to fit the OEM CV's only. So we are using the inner front and outer rear OEM CV's, with the FFR supplied inner shaft to fit OEM.
Hmm. Are the STI and WRX CVs the same? I'd like to keep my Brembos, and I'm not sure if both ends of the axles are different or just the diff side.

[metalmaker12]

Same in which way, the 02-04 wrx/sti inner fronts are female and the same, and the 05-07 wrx/ sti inner front are male and the same, but outers for the rear are different sti-wrx. what year are your brembos, rear spindles, Let me know what is your donor, parts etc I will help ya out.

ps: remember we are only using the inner fronts/ outer rear cv's for the back and the outer fronts for the front.

[IMPREZvWRX]

Same in which way, the 02-04 wrx/sti inner fronts are female and the same, and the 05-07 wrx/ sti inner front are male and the same, but outers for the rear are different sti-wrx. what year are your brembos, rear spindles, Let me know what is your donor, parts etc I will help ya out.

ps: remember we are only using the inner fronts/ outer rear cv's for the back and the outer fronts for the front.

Heh. My donor is a JDM 2003 STI that's currently swapped into my RS coupe. 5x100. I'll have to sell off my 6-speed and DCCDPro to buy a decent 5-speed (again) and various other parts since my donor(s) are wrong.

[metalmaker12]

NICE, love the RS with some power. I might hold on to the 6pd, you can get it to fit, only prob is the center diff replacement has to get a different kit and it is not cheap . The the jdm 5x100 front and rear hubs are the same as the 02-07 usdm wrx. I know the rear outer jdm sti cv joints are beefier, but the axle shaft is the same, which would make the FFR shaft fit.

[IMPREZvWRX]

NICE, love the RS with some power. I might hold on to the 6pd, you can get it to fit, only prob is the center diff replacement has to get a different kit and it is not cheap . The the jdm 5x100 front and rear hubs are the same as the 02-07 usdm wrx. I know the rear outer jdm sti cv joints are beefier, but the axle shaft is the same, which would make the FFR shaft fit.

That's great news! I'd love to keep the 6-speed, even thought it's really heavy. I just read "it doesn't fit" in the transmission thread and figured it doesn't fit.

[metalmaker12]

no one has tried it, and it is not much longer, so I would keep to see if it does, than decide on what you want to do, get kit, sell get 5pd, its up to you