So, how will you make the 818 yours?

[Draco-REX]

When I heard about the Toybaru (FT-86) I was really excited about it. Low weight + RWD + Subaru engine seemed to add up to something really fun.

Then I heard about the 818. FT-what?

I can't wait to build an 818 now, and I've already started thinking about the parts I want to spec.

My goal is an AutoX toy/something to scare people with. ;) Add appearance wise, I think I'm going for a form-follows-function look.

Engine:
I'm still trying to decide if I want a 8K redline of a JDM 2.0, or the extra torque of a USDM 2.5 block.
Heads will get some attention.
I'm thinking of Equal length headers. I like the Subaru sound, but I think this little monster needs something a bit more brash.
Ultimately, I'm thinking of 400+ at the crank which shouldn't be too hard to achieve.

Transmission:
I pondered the 6MT, but the added size and weight seems like it would be problematic in such a small package.
So a 5MT with hardened gears that mimic the 6MT's 1-4,6 might be the solution.

Suspension:
I thought more of the WRX's suspension was going to be used, but I guess not. Whatever is, will get the GroupN and/or graphite poly treatment.

Tires:
Seems these are a point of discussion.
Dunlop Z1*s will be the rubber of choice I think.
I was originally thinking of going wide and flaring the fenders even more. But the points made about the light weight making it difficult to get heat into the tires has me thinking now. I'll probably end up waiting to see what sizes are spec'd and adjust accordingly from there.


So. What are your goals/plans for your 818? A friend of mine is thinking he will retire his WRX into one and turn it into a daily driver!

[Flamshackle]

I will be building a 450HP JDM based 2.0 engine high reving for a small light car is the better way IMHO than a torque king. Wheel spin much? that and gloss black with black rims and polished alloy outer on the rims :D

[PhyrraM]

Mine will be a piecemeal of mostly older Subaru parts. All of which are "in stock".

'93-'96 JDM WRX/STI EJ20G based motor w/fully programmable aftermarket ECU. Possibly an EJ2.35 closed deck stroker w/EJ20K STI heads.
Early turbo 5 speed transmission from a USDM Legacy with an EJ22T.
Early Legacy/GC control arms.
Either WRX spec 2 piston or 4 piston front calipers, with the matching set in the rear.
Early Legacy steering rack and column. (Fastest non-'05+ STI rack in the catalog)
Basic wiring harness will be from either a '93 JDM WRX or an early Legacy.
Pedals likely from a '02-'07 WRX/STI, but possibly early Legacy turbo (only early USDM car with Hydro clutch)
Early Legacy dashboard and cluster in the unlikely event that FFR reuses the complete donor dash.

[305mouse]

Using a 2.0 donor, The heads will get a healthy porting and I'll probably have the motor rebuilt with tighter clearances. I plan on using a twinscroll turbo since I'm staying with the EJ205. I already have a small VF turbo and the lag is too much on my 2005. The rear will have H6 brakes, easy upgrade. Everything else will be figured out as I go.

[Niburu]

I'm going to use alot of blood, sweat, and tears.......and also probably a prodigious amount of swearing.
Then I'm going to through a pile of money at it to fix everything I screwed up.

I may be an optimist, but I'm a realistic optimist.
I know a pattern when I see one.

[Silvertop]

Mine will depend on what I find for a donor car. I'll be shopping for a mechanically intact body-damaged WRX or Impreza 2.5RS. A rollover with lots of body damage will be perfect (as in cheaper). I have a friend who shops the auctions for repairables-- he'll keep an eye peeled for me.........

If I find a WRX, it will remain largely stock except for a few bolt-ons, exhaust mods (probably Grimmspeed exhaust manifold porting), and a moderate ECU tune. If I find an Impreza 2.5RS, it will get cams and valve springs, maybe a little head porting, other intake mods and 4-2-1 exhaust headers, and an ECU tune.

Whether WRX or Impreza RS, it must have a 5-speed manual transmission. It will use suitable street performance tires that will fit on the stock Subie wheels.

In general, I'm going to "keep it simple". I'm building a street toy, not a race car.

[Draco-REX]

Lots of cool ideas so far. I hope due to the low cost and mod-friendly donor that the 818 becomes very popular. It'd be really cool to have an 818 meet and see all the different ways of building them.

[Oppenheimer]

When I heard about the Toybaru (FT-86) I was really excited about it. Low weight + RWD + Subaru engine seemed to add up to something really fun.

Then I heard about the 818. FT-what?

If you were excited about the FT-86, then I think you'd be absolutely blown away driving a completely stock WRX based 818.

I think its easy to get caught up in this being your 'dream car' and start thinking we need the best of everything. The truth is the car will just be flat out phenominal with a stock drivetrain.

So for me -I'll be using mostly for street- I'll go with some simple easy/cheap mods, and be more than happy with the performance. I'll make it mine by driving it as much as possible.

To each is own of course, not trying to put anyone down for their choices. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of performance some 818's achieve.

[Slaughter]

I kinda want to throw a TDI in there - I will have to wait and see if it is possible first.

[GUNS]

I'm using an 02 WRX as my donor so most parts will come from that. I am shooting for about 300 whp so an upgraded turbo will be in the works. My donor has 115k miles now, so I plan on re-building it eventually and squeezing out a bit more power. My goal is to make an awesome track day car that can be driven on the street. I am also doing the H6 brakes. I'm going to wait and see what suspension and wheel/tire options FFR will offer with this. Good seats and a good steering wheel are going to be a must for me. Man I'm excited!

[Draco-REX]

If you were excited about the FT-86, then I think you'd be absolutely blown away driving a completely stock WRX based 818.

I think its easy to get caught up in this being your 'dream car' and start thinking we need the best of everything. The truth is the car will just be flat out phenominal with a stock drivetrain.

So for me -I'll be using mostly for street- I'll go with some simple easy/cheap mods, and be more than happy with the performance. I'll make it mine by driving it as much as possible.

To each is own of course, not trying to put anyone down for their choices. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of performance some 818's achieve.
Oh, I'm sure it'll be a blast with stock WRX gear. The FT-86 won't have anywhere near the power/weight ratio that the 818 will. Even a mildly modded Stage 2 818 will have a P/W ratio approacing a Veyron.

I already have an STI (which will not be donating) and a M4 class WRX for SCCA RallyCross (not a donor either.) Both cars I built to my "Ultimate." The 818 won't be any different. :)

[crobin4]

Engine:
EJ251 block
09+ Sti Crank
USDM STi Rods
TWE 11.2-1 Forged Pistons
ACL Main and Rod Bearings
Dynamic Balance
EJ251 SOHC Heads w/ portwork
not sure about cams at the moment
+1mm Intake and Exhaust Valves
Swain Tech coating on: Pistons, Combustion Chambers, and Valves
Lightweight Flywheel
Lightweight and underdrive pulleys
Late 2.5L NA Intake Manifold
Cobb short ram intake
Tomei Twin Scroll Header
IHI VF36 Twinscroll Turbo
AVO Divorced Wastegate Turbine Outlet Housing (ceramic coated and blanketed)
Moroso oil pan
Cosworth Oil Baffle
12mm Oil Pump
High Rev Valve Springs
Water to air intercooler w/ 10"x9"x4.5" core and 2 12"x12"x1" radiators
Water Injection
Stand alone ECU
1000cc Top Feed injectors
E-85 for fuel

Tranny:

PPG JDM STi Gearset
KAAZ 1.5way LSD

Formula Atlantic GoodYear Racing slicks (softest compound) or possibly Avons

Any color as long as its Black.

Steering quickener from Howe
Legacy rack and column
Partial Legacy wiring harness

[ScottKoschwitz]

I kinda want to throw a TDI in there - I will have to wait and see if it is possible first.

I'm with you. I'm a VW guy (owned seven of them), and had a TDI. GREAT engine, and if it could make a heavy Mk4 Jetta move fairly sprightly, it'll make an 818 fly. Beyond that, I don't know, since I don't know Subaru components.

[Ks2]

aside from the ej207 v8 i want it to weigh at or less then 1700

with a lightweight battery
very light rims and low profile tires
if stock seats are used (though they are really comfy) get rid of them for light seats
spartan interior and if possible a simple steering column

[BipDBo]

I would like to see factory5 draft some spec series rules like the challenge car with requirements for dyno certification. These boxer engines can be made to produce enormous power especially when fed large sums of money. To me though, any competition, especially motorsports, should be more about skill rather than equipment. It's much more satisfying to take a win when you know that the competition is running the same equipment. As compared to the Challenge car spec series, the 818 could be even more affordable and international. I have personally never competed in any form of motorsports, but the 818 may change that. Even if I never get to the track, it will at least make a much more fun commute to work.

[Draco-REX]

A spec series would be cool. But you don't have to wait for that, or even your 818. Find our local SCCA region, or auto clubs and start attending AutoCross events. Even if you have a 50hp beater you can race and have a ton of fun. Just get out there and do it! :) And an added benefit is that nothing makes you go faster than time behind the wheel. So you'll be preparing yourself for your 818 as well! :)

[crobin4]

^^^ +1

[PhyrraM]

A Spec 818 should probably be based on a 2.5 SOHC normally asprirated motor. Cheap, reliable, common, decent torque, and still room for the 'tweakers and cheaters' to squeeze out a slight advantage (if your 'that' type of racer and have the skills to take advantage of your edge).

[Draco-REX]

Interesting thing I re The other day. It is apparently all but confirmed that the FT-86 will have a 200hp normally aspirated engine. For those looking for n/a performance, a rear-ended FT might be a really good engine source.

[armstrom]

Two words..

Truck Nutz...

'nuf said :)

-Matt

[BipDBo]

Interesting thing I re The other day. It is apparently all but confirmed that the FT-86 will have a 200hp normally aspirated engine. For those looking for n/a performance, a rear-ended FT might be a really good engine source.

The engine is about all you would be able to use from that car. You would still need the transaxle and the suspension bits from an AWD Subie.

[PhyrraM]

The "Glass car" that Subaru is using on the show car circuit to emphasize that Subaru was the lead on engineering the FT/BRZ has a version of the new FB motor with an incompatable bellhousing to any other Subaru. Whether or not that is indicative of the eventual production models, or not, I don't know.

Cliff's Notes: The new BRZ/FT86 motor may have a non-Subaru bellhousing.

[Draco-REX]

The engine is about all you would be able to use from that car. You would still need the transaxle and the suspension bits from an AWD Subie.
Yeah, I just meant the engine. Getting a reliable 200hp from a current N/A motor requires a lot of work. Getting over 200hp from this engine would be a snap. And in a 1800lb package, it'd be plenty peppy for most. Hell, it'd have a better power-to-weight ration than a stock STI.


The "Glass car" that Subaru is using on the show car circuit to emphasize that Subaru was the lead on engineering the FT/BRZ has a version of the new FB motor with an incompatable bellhousing to any other Subaru. Whether or not that is indicative of the eventual production models, or not, I don't know.

Cliff's Notes: The new BRZ/FT86 motor may have a non-Subaru bellhousing.
That would be unfortunate.

[StatGSR]

Again you would be better off to hope that the ez30 squeezes I to the 818. I know that's what I'm still hoping for.

[Steve91T]

I would love a spec racer, but only if it's n/a. It's just too easy to "accidently" get another pound or two of boost. These engines probably make around 10 hp per pound of boost. So someone's car that makes 2 more psi than the other guy will have roughly 20 more hp. That's a very large hp increase in an 1800 lb car.

Look at how much fun the Spec E30 or Spec Miata guys have with very little power. Those cars weigh more than the 808 buy several hundred pounds.

Steve

[crobin4]

I would love a spec racer, but only if it's n/a. It's just too easy to "accidently" get another pound or two of boost. These engines probably make around 10 hp per pound of boost. So someone's car that makes 2 more psi than the other guy will have roughly 20 more hp. That's a very large hp increase in an 1800 lb car.

Look at how much fun the Spec E30 or Spec Miata guys have with very little power. Those cars weigh more than the 808 buy several hundred pounds.


Steve

Yeah, in STX and STU, boosted cars are "accidentally" boost creeping up 20psi, by tuning the downpipes (Subie) and O2 Sensor Housings (EVO). And, the way the rules are written is legal (and has been clarified by the SEB as being legal). This is in a boost restricted class.
It has been done for years ( nothing new), the practice started in Street Prepared classes when they were boost restricted.
So, while it isn't exactly easy, as in many forms of racing, if it's possible, it will be done.

[Draco-REX]

Many racers find stretching the rules to be an essential part of competition. I may toe the line at times, but ultimately, I try to fair. My STI has an ALK on it, so I run it in Prepared when I take it out for an AutoX even though noone really thinks the ALK does enough to matter.

An RS donor would be great for a spec series. And though I think a Spec-818 series would be cool, I won't be building with that goal in mind, even if I buy an 818-R. Like the STI, I'll build it the way I want it, then class it after.

[crobin4]

Many racers find stretching the rules to be an essential part of competition. I may toe the line at times, but ultimately, I try to fair. My STI has an ALK on it, so I run it in Prepared when I take it out for an AutoX even though noone really thinks the ALK does enough to matter.

An RS donor would be great for a spec series. And though I think a Spec-818 series would be cool, I won't be building with that goal in mind, even if I buy an 818-R. Like the STI, I'll build it the way I want it, then class it after.

You can run in SM with the ALK. I think the PAX index is a tad better. FWIW.

[Draco-REX]

You can run in SM with the ALK. I think the PAX index is a tad better. FWIW.
Unless they changed the rules, I'm not so sure. The ALK changes the suspension pickup points which is an instant ticket to Prepared last I checked.

[crobin4]

Unless they changed the rules, I'm not so sure. The ALK changes the suspension pickup points which is an instant ticket to Prepared last I checked.
Yep, sorry, you are completely right. I thought they had allowed it couple of year ago, but that isn't the case. The eccentric bushing is allowed from Street Touring up, and he ALK from Prepared up.
Sorry, my memory doesn't as stellar as it once was.:o

[Inthenameofweez]

I'm gonna build a 2.1L with a TD04 for insane amounts of Daily Drive-able torque. I think with E85 the car should be a lot of fun. I'll have two 5-speed gear boxes to choose from. The STi RA gearset may be too short for such a light car, so I'll use the USDM 06 WRX trans if that is the case. I'm also contemplating having vinyl graphics to explain the creators, model, and drive/power train of the vehicle for the first 2-3 months of ownership. Just to help advertise/decrease questions. Haha.

[crobin4]

I'm gonna build a 2.1L with a TD04 for insane amounts of Daily Drive-able torque. I think with E85 the car should be a lot of fun. I'll have two 5-speed gear boxes to choose from. The STi RA gearset may be too short for such a light car, so I'll use the USDM 06 WRX trans if that is the case. I'm also contemplating having vinyl graphics to explain the creators, model, and drive/power train of the vehicle for the first 2-3 months of ownership. Just to help advertise/decrease questions. Haha.

I've been thinking about going with the 3.70 R&P as well. I haven't decided, yet.
I think if I were to do a street car, I would be going with a very similar set-up.