818 S Ordering question?

[villagehoppa]

Hi All, new to the forum so hi all... Just looking at the 818 order page and it states there are about 6 options of chassis.

2006-2007 Turbocharged, 2006-2007 Naturally Aspirated, 2005 Turbocharged, 2005 Naturally Aspirated, 2002-2004 Turbocharged, 2002-2004 Naturally Aspirated.

Does this mean there are variations with each donor etc, such as track? Are the track sizes all different or is it down to location mountings etc? Just wondered what the differences are?

Any help would be greatly appreciated... Thanks in advance, John.

[DodgyTim]

Welcome
The 818S is the same for all options, the differences between models is just for exhaust, axle fitment

[villagehoppa]

Thanks DodgyTim, does mean there is a different layout of the box section on the chassis to clear the axle? Sorry for the questions, trying to see what would be the best donor available to me.

Any Diagrams? Thanks again...

[RM1SepEx]

no real frame changes... best donor depends on your goals

I went with 70K mile 2005 WRX

"best" donor would be a 2006 WRX for the 2.5L motor and aluminum LCAs etc...

An NA version will still scoot very well!

[billjr212]

as Dan said above, "best" donor is going to be extremely subjective. Each will have it's perfect buyer. 2.0L turbo from 2002-2005 (or was it 2004) is fun to rev, 2.5L turbo motor makes better torque down low (2006-2007). Both can put down plenty of power for the 818. Each has its weaknesses (there is another thread on this). 2.5L non-turbo would be great for a budget builder and is still going to make plenty of power for an 818 used only on the street.

Other items like the aluminum lca's that Dan mentions in 2006, bigger brakes for certain years, changes to the style of the gauge cluster over the years, the seats if you are going to use the ones from the donor, etc etc can also factor in.

Best of luck! Keep firing away with questions and you will get to what works best for you!

[villagehoppa]

Fantastic, Thanks for the info, think I'll start shopping.. Can't wait to put an order in.. Cheers guys...

[68GT500MAN]

Welcome to the forum. I see that you have jumped right in with your first questions, you should be getting many answers to each one as you ask.
Doug

[villagehoppa]

Cheers Doug, this is great, it's such a great thing to get involved in, brushing up on my mechanics as we speak!...

[Evan78]

I was told over the phone that the donor affects the following items when they're packing up your kit:

exhaust (turbo vs non)
seat brackets
axle cv's
cable vs wire for throttle body

Villagehoppa - the frame doesn't vary. It has multiple suspension mounting positions to accommodate different donor suspensions (sedan vs wagon in 2002-07 models).

[Bob_n_Cincy]

The part of Bill of Material shown below is special for a 2006 normally aspirated impreza.
As you can see, gas Pedal, exhaust, axles, and seats are special.
Bob

25265

[flytosail]

Any option yet for a shoulder harness bar?

[villagehoppa]

Ace! Thanks for the info..
Do you know why the axles are different then? Are they the same length but with different CV's? Any chance I could get hold of a BOM Bob please? Evan. are the different mounting points for the donor suspension all drilled or do you drill according to what you have?

Thanks guy.. And the head scratching begins......

[RM1SepEx]

02-04 have axle stubs and female inner frnt cv, after that they have femal diff, male inner frnt cv's

also plz note you install an LSD in a later transaxle (Quaife, OBX etc) then the earlier female inner svs are needed

[DodgyTim]

All the donor suspensions from 2002 to 2007 will bolt directly to the chassis without drilling, the different holes in the chassis adapt the wagon or sedan donor suspension. There is a set of holes for the R (lower) ride height too.
I know the inner CV's are different between models, if you have an early donor (-2004?) the spline at the gearbox is male, if later (2004+) it is female. Installing a LSD generally means you will have to convert to the early inner CV's.

If your trying to finalise all this before you pre-order (the $99 deposit) don't worry, there is opportunity to sort all this out when you pay the main deposit ( $900 about a month before pickup)

As to the "ideal" donor, it depends on what mods you are intending. I think it is fair to say for a "standard" build the 2006 WRX is preferred because it has alloy lower control arms and better brakes.
If you intend to add the Wilwoods, then it it isn't so relevant, and I'd pick the donor based on what engine you prefer, the 2.0 or 2.5.
Cheers
Tim

Edit - RM1SepEx must type faster than me!

[RM1SepEx]

no just typed less!

[Evan78]

If your trying to finalise all this before you pre-order (the $99 deposit) don't worry, there is opportunity to sort all this out when you pay the main deposit ( $900 about a month before pickup)Pre-orders were only available during the design phase. Now that the car is in production, you put down a $1000 deposit when placing the order and pay the balance shortly before your production date.

[Xusia]

I know this thread is about the "S" model, but in case any considering building an "R" model reads it, please note the "R" model is designed to utilize sedan donor suspension components. So anyone building an "R" should avoid a wagon donor/suspension components.

[DodgyTim]

Thanks Evan78, what I stated above is old info, based on my experience, but it appears thats now out of date.....:rolleyes:

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I know this thread is about the "S" model, but in case any considering building an "R" model reads it, please note the "R" model is designed to utilize sedan donor suspension components. So anyone building an "R" should avoid a wagon donor/suspension components.

The wagon has 10mm shorter rear lateral links and 10mm shorter front LCA (lower control arms).
At 818S ride height there is alternate holes for the shorter arms.
At 818R ride height there are only holes for the longer sedan arms.

If you are building a R with a wagon donor. you would need to buy sedan version of those parts.

With my wagon donor, I bought Adjustable rear links and new sedan Aluminum LCA. So I could switch to R ride height on my S chassis.
Bob