Decision time

[Edsnextproject]

Like to get some forum guidance on engine and trans. selection. I ‘m building without a donor. Ready to purchase eng/trans. What is best choice for install?
Any help is appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Ed

[WIS89]

Ed-

I think there are a number of good choices here. Personally, I am a fan of BluePrint Engines. They have a number of good packages that they have put together for our kits, or you can go off script and get something that you wish to have that's different. They have been wonderful to work with, support the community, and have a wonderful warranty! I am a big fan!

I would be remiss however, not to mention Mike Forte. Mike is a wonderful guy, who always has a great selection of engine transmission combos ready for us. He is also a great supporter of this community, stands by his products, and frequently runs specials on what you might find interesting. He has provided a very large number of engine and transmission combos to this community.

While there will be others who chime in with their favorites, suggestions, or things they believe are important, I don't think you can go wrong with either of these two choices!

I hope this helps you a bit. Good luck with your decision, and the rest of your build!

Regards,

Steve

[Edsnextproject]

This is an 818C Kit. Subaru power?

[Hobby Racer]

Your right, those vendors do not offer Subaru engines / trans combos.

We are kind of on our own, but there are plenty of other options, it just depends on what your looking for and how much of the work you want to do. I went way off the path and installed a big flat 6 cylinder Subaru engine and a 6 speed JDM transmission. Definitely not part of the manual, but also not that difficult.

[WIS89]

Ed-

Terribly sorry for not paying closer attention; I completely missed it!

While you are somewhat on your own on the 818, you may want to consider reaching out to Wayne Presley at Very Cool Parts. Wayne is a great guy, and has a bunch of experience with the 818, is a great supporter of our community, and at one time was providing palletized parts for folks doing the 818 (and may still be). I trust Wayne implicitly, and if he tells you something, it is as good as it gets. At the very least, he can likely help you as you begin to sort through your plans.

Again, I apologize for the initial mistake, but I hope this provides you with something worthwhile; all the best with your plans!

Regards,

Steve

[Sgt.Gator]

Ed,
Best choice for me is probably not the best choice for you. It's hard to answer your questions without asking for more info.
Is this a 100% street car, or 50% track/50% street? If it's all street how much effort do you want to use when driving it? A high revving 2.0L turbo screamer is not a good car for stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. A 2.5L or even a H6 would be better.
Are you going to the dragstrip?
How important is power? Any idea how much HP you want to have in the car?
How much effort do you want to put into building the engine?
And the big question, what's your budget for the engine and the tranny?

[Edsnextproject]

Sorry, it has taken me a few weeks to reply. It’s a ‘C’ Fully street legal. Would like to buy it and install it? I would guess, as high a HP as stock produces? Trying to keep my budget in under $5000.
Could do a set of aftermarket heads and fuel rails but don’t want to rebuild it myself? At 71, with Cancer, I rather drive it, sooner than later!

[Shawn818c]

Honestly, I don't see the point of a really high HP subaru engine in the 818 especially since the subaru engines aren't known for durability. An EJ255 with a STi tubro, VF39 or VF43, can make 300+ WHP fairly easily and would still put you in the range of 7lbs/hp. If you want to drive it sooner than later I would stick to a build as close to the way FFR suggests, there are still plenty of items that will add to the complexity along the way without having to deal with with building an engine.

[autostang]

I agree with Shawn. Stick to something fairly straight forward and get it on the road. Any of the stock engines will feel pretty fast. I started with an 02 WRX set up (guessing around 170WHP) and it was still a very quick car. I ended up replacing it with an STI short block and STI turbo because the old engine was high mileage and leaking oil from everywhere. I am still on the break in period, but am shooting for 250WHP. I figure that will be plenty fast for me and want to stick with the 5 spd transmission.

My general approach to the car was build it close to the manual, then take it apart every winter and modify something. I have been pretty happy with this so far. It let me get the car on the road relatively quickly and its pretty easy to get back into most areas of the car. The only part that I wish I had done a little cleaner that I don't want to dig back out of the car is the wiring harness. I trimmed the stock one down, but would redo the fuse boxes if I was doing it over.

[Sgt.Gator]

I agree with Shawn and Autostang. Get a oem stock turbo engine from a Legacy, wrx. or STI, , 5 speed manual, keep it close to stock, and call it good.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Honestly, I don't see the point of a really high HP subaru engine in the 818 especially since the subaru engines aren't known for durability. An EJ255 with a STi tubro, VF39 or VF43, can make 300+ WHP fairly easily and would still put you in the range of 7lbs/hp. If you want to drive it sooner than later I would stick to a build as close to the way FFR suggests, there are still plenty of items that will add to the complexity along the way without having to deal with with building an engine.


I agree with Shawn. Stick to something fairly straight forward and get it on the road. Any of the stock engines will feel pretty fast. I started with an 02 WRX set up (guessing around 170WHP) and it was still a very quick car. I ended up replacing it with an STI short block and STI turbo because the old engine was high mileage and leaking oil from everywhere. I am still on the break in period, but am shooting for 250WHP. I figure that will be plenty fast for me and want to stick with the 5 spd transmission.

My general approach to the car was build it close to the manual, then take it apart every winter and modify something. I have been pretty happy with this so far. It let me get the car on the road relatively quickly and its pretty easy to get back into most areas of the car. The only part that I wish I had done a little cleaner that I don't want to dig back out of the car is the wiring harness. I trimmed the stock one down, but would redo the fuse boxes if I was doing it over.


I agree with Shawn and Autostang. Get a oem stock turbo engine from a Legacy, wrx. or STI, , 5 speed manual, keep it close to stock, and call it good.

I agree with all 3 above. I am running an FXT 2.5L TD04 turbo stock tune, 195 WHP. Plenty fast for me. Here is a quick video with Mitch driving.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVEqS3Gs9SM

[grathke]

I purchased the pallet of parts form Wayne. He provided what he said.

If you go this way, exactly specify exactly what you want. He will provide what is in the manual.. If you want to utilize ABS, an automatic transmission, or for that matter anything else be sure to let him know. Also, if you want any work done, such as replacing the water pump, etc.. mention that too.

You can't go wrong with selecting Wayne. He is great.

Also, think about how you will handle the wiring harness. A few choices here, diet your own harness. Wayne of course, as he makes up his own harnesses. iWire, although now his harnesses are custom built as 'one off' and infinity box which is what I view as very interesting. I went the iwire route as that is what they used in the 818 build school in Howell MI.

My 2 cents worth.

Glenn




Ed-

Terribly sorry for not paying closer attention; I completely missed it!

While you are somewhat on your own on the 818, you may want to consider reaching out to Wayne Presley at Very Cool Parts. Wayne is a great guy, and has a bunch of experience with the 818, is a great supporter of our community, and at one time was providing palletized parts for folks doing the 818 (and may still be). I trust Wayne implicitly, and if he tells you something, it is as good as it gets. At the very least, he can likely help you as you begin to sort through your plans.

Again, I apologize for the initial mistake, but I hope this provides you with something worthwhile; all the best with your plans!

Regards,

Steve