3rd / 4th gen Doner

[chopboy]

Hi All,
Can anyone advise the problems associated with using a late model donor for the 818?
AFAIK, we need to pass current emissions regulations with an independently constructed vehicle in Australia to register. This will likely be easier to achieve with a late model motor than it will with an older platform.
The other pro for later model wrecks compared with older cars is the much lower km's they've traveled. It seems a lot more likely you'd get hardware in re-usable condition from a low km donor than a high k one.
I've copied the donor parts required list from FFR website below for reference:

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 and fuel level assemblies
Radiator and fan
Wheels and tires
Door hinges, rear with latches, strikers, and inside door handles
Side view mirrors, left and right
Rear view mirror
Rear seat belts

How much of the above from a gen 3 or 4 is incompatible with the 818R kit?

[frankc5r]

I would get in contact with Iwire, the vendor that builds harnesses for these builds.
They are likely to know the details of using a late model with can bus etc

[chopboy]

Thanks Frankc5r,
Brian has been very helpful from Iwire and advised that the CANBUS system was introduced in the 2008 model subaru. Iwire are working on a CANBUS emulator that will make life easy, in the mean time however it is easier to use an older model ECU to control the engine.

With the electrics on the way to being sorted, Is it then possible to use the remaining required hardware from a 2008+ model in place of the pre2008 donor parts? Do things like the steering rack, pedal box, half shafts etc all fit into the 818?

[frankc5r]

Wish I could help but I am fairly new to Subaru.

[flynntuna]

In 2008 Subaru had a major update to the Impreza running gear including the suspension parts. You have to decide whether modifing the frame to accept later year parts is worth the effort. Others have totally redone the suspension, they have serious skills and have shared their progress here on the forum. I on the other hand have modest skills and found that refurbishing the parts will make them like new.

[chopboy]

Thanks Flynntuna,
Makes sense that there is geometry differences as the track changed I believe. Do you have a link to any of the build threads in which people have used the later model running gear? My search skills must have gotten rusty, as I have been unable to find any information whatsoever on the later model platform being used as a donor.

[flynntuna]

Here's one
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19228-First-818-COUPE-build/page3

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Here's one
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19228-First-818-COUPE-build/page3

The link posted is to "Lance's 818s". He went with Corvette suspension.
I've been on the list since before the first 818 was delivered. I don't remember anyone going with a later generation "Subaru" suspension. Please correct me if I wrong.
Bob

[flynntuna]

No one who has posted on the forum has gone with post 07 suspension that I've seen either.

Here's another thread I've found...
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?22263-DanielsDM-818R

[STiPWRD]

Here are two more examples of 818 suspension modifications I could think of -

08 Legacy rear suspension rework:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?20434-Art-s-818-build&p=263119&viewfull=1#post263119

S2000 front spindles:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12395-818R-quot-Glynman-Style-quot&p=182669&viewfull=1#post182669