View Full Version : New guy with lots of questions
WasAWrx
10-09-2012, 12:00 AM
First off I'd like to say HI! I've been lurking here for a couple weeks since I found the 818 project but couldn't remain silent anymore so I had to register. It seems like there's quite a diverse knowledge base here so I figured I'd post a few of my questions...probably more to follow.
I saw there were automatic Wrxs, do you think the auto will work in the 818? I know it's a bit of an odd question for a toy/track car but my father is a disabled vet and this would be a father/son project and I want him to be able to drive it comfortably.
Second, I'm not sure which years had traction control but do you think it could be retained? With close to 6lbs per HP I bet it would help!
Third, I saw someone mention a coupe version??? Has this been confirmed? Living in Colorado some sort of a top is a necessity, a hard top would be great.
Thank you all in advance for your input and I look forward to many discussions as this thing develops.
G_Hodgkins
10-09-2012, 12:11 AM
Hi there! First off..WELCOME!!! :)
to answer some of your question, You CAN do automatic. There will be a coupe version and many other versions that can all fit on the same chassis! It will be cool to be able to switch body styles. I don't know about traction control since that is computer monitored but I am guessing it can be done! And again, Welcome!
skullandbones
10-09-2012, 12:17 AM
Not a Subie expert but building an FFR roadster at this time. Also have a forum friend who will probably be building a 818 street roadster so I'm very interested. I'm interested in a coupe or targa but the release of that version will not be in the initial offering. So you are looking at 3rd qtr 2013 at the earliest (I think that would be optimistic). Several people are interested in an auto. I thought an auto with paddle shifters would be cool and would work great for your father. I know I fell in love with the paddle shifter when I drove an exotic. But the concensus as I see it is that it's just too long but I bet someone will make it happen before it's over. FFR hasn't mentioned supporting such a project. I also think traction control would be ill advised as the engineering and design would be changed so much that it would be an "experiment" at best and probably a disaster unless you can re-engineer it yourself. There are some interesting threads on that subject though. Good luck, WEK.
There will be a hardtop version later on. When, I have no clue.
Automatics are iffy atm. They are a bit long and I don't think anyone knows a way to convert it to FWD yet. It's also pretty heavy as well. Honestly if your dad is disabled to the point where he can't operate a clutch, he may have tons of trouble getting in and out of the car. It's very low with a low roof line as well. I'd say it would be easier then a lotus, but definitely harder then most cars, probably as hard as a slammed S2K. I have a destroyed left knee with 3 cadaver ligaments and a handful of screws and a rod through my femur. I had a chance to sit in the go-kart at open house and even without any body panels or roof I still had a bit of a tough time getting out.
Traction control is only found in 2008+. Plus you truly do not want subaru traction control. It's extremely bad. The only time I turn mine off is when it's rainning or snowing since that is when I should expect to lose any traction. The best traction control is your right foot and serious race algorithm traction control. And even if it was a decent traction control system, it would be difficult to implement since it requires the ABS, G sensor, YAW sensor and steering sensor to work in harmony.
If traction is a serious issue you have 2 solid options. One is get an NA engine. Even at 135hp you have a P/W ratio of 13 pounds to 1hp, about the same as an STi at 255HP to the wheels. You can easily get an RS 2.5 engine to 180 to the crank(around 160 to the wheels) which is 11.25 PW while not having boost threshold issues and a very peppy and torqy car. The other option if you have to have a turbo version is very very wide rear tires(265+).
Oppenheimer
10-09-2012, 10:51 AM
Third option, aftermarket traction control. There are some good ones, and they offer varying levels of intervention that is selectable on the fly.
Some of the current Superbikes have such systems that let the rider select how far to let things go before they rein you in, to reportably very good effect.
Xusia
10-09-2012, 12:39 PM
Given how light and agile this car will be, a system that just limited wheel spin would probably do wonders. Like Oppenheimer said, aftermarket systems probably have that covered.
Hey Opp, are referring to the Bazzaz Z-FI Tc? I've read good reviews on that.
WasAWrx
10-09-2012, 01:31 PM
Third option, aftermarket traction control. There are some good ones, and they offer varying levels of intervention that is selectable on the fly.
Some of the current Superbikes have such systems that let the rider select how far to let things go before they rein you in, to reportably very good effect.
What about boost by gear? I know the Honda ECUs allow for it I you use the correct tuning software. Might be a good way to control wheelspin?
WasAWrx
10-09-2012, 01:37 PM
Here's a good article on how it works
http://www.enginebasics.com/EFI%20Tuning/Boost%20By%20Gear.html
Third option, aftermarket traction control. There are some good ones, and they offer varying levels of intervention that is selectable on the fly.
Some of the current Superbikes have such systems that let the rider select how far to let things go before they rein you in, to reportably very good effect.
AFAIK there are no after market options for subarus. Whiteline was working on one for 2008+ but dropped support for subarus.
What about boost by gear? I know the Honda ECUs allow for it I you use the correct tuning software. Might be a good way to control wheelspin?
Tuning already is boost by gear. It's still not a form of traction control. Again your best bet at traction control is a well trained right foot.
RM1SepEx
10-09-2012, 04:17 PM
again your best bet at traction control is a well trained right foot.
yup! and practice practice practice.... :cool:
BrandonDrums
10-09-2012, 04:31 PM
Tuning already is boost by gear. It's still not a form of traction control. Again your best bet at traction control is a well trained right foot.
Well, it is on 32bit ECU models (All STI's and 07+ WRX's), not on the 16 bit ECU's
However, you can introduce more boost control using a "hybrid" boost control setup for the 16 bit ECU's http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602674
There's a couple threads about using auto transmissions on the 818. After seeing the latest running chassis pics, I actually think there will be enough room for the longer automatic transmissions and perhaps even the 6mt which has LONG been a big debate topic on the forums. The newest pics of the running chassis show the muffler directly behind the transmission which pushes out the required rear clearance past the transmission even further. If they make the body around that muffler, you could easily re-route the exhaust and use the extra space for the lengthier transmission.
Most (not all) of the later subaru AWD transmissions can be converted to fwd by removing a fuse that disengages the center diff. Phyrram can probably tell you which years yields a 100% FWD distribution and which ones don't lol. He's dreamy like that.
PhyrraM
10-09-2012, 04:52 PM
Most (maybe all) of the 4 speed automatics come with full time FWD from Subaru.
The FWD portion is directly connected to the gearset. The RWD portion is a computer controlled clutchpack that engages onto the already connected FWD bits. Hence the 90/10 to 50/50 torque split quoted by Subaru in those years. Also the reason a simple fuse can make the car FWD - it just disabled the clutchpack altogether.
The *possible* exception are the vehicles with VTD, as these used a more traditional center differential - indicating that there may not be that 1:1 connection like the non-VTD 4EATS.
There ARE factory FWD 4EATs. They came in various FWD Subarus before 1996 (in North America, the rest of the world never lost them). The sweet spot for the 818 would be one from an SVX because of the better final drive ratio (3.5 vs. 3.9/4.11). The main issue is making sure a later engine ECU can be happy with an early transmission. (Or just use an early engine- I, personally, see this as a great option for some)
Most (maybe all) of the 4 speed automatics come with full time FWD from Subaru.
Well that's good to know it's that simple for people wanting ATs.
Oppenheimer
10-10-2012, 09:44 AM
Hey Opp, are referring to the Bazzaz Z-FI Tc? I've read good reviews on that.
Can't recall. Just remember reading about them on another forum, some time back. There was a link to some vendors site, and the system seemed impressive. But it sounds like no one makes one of these for Subies. Being AWD already, I can see there wouldn't be as big a market for such vendors to invest in making one.
Hopefully the 818 changes things and one of these vendors will step up and make a Subie sys. I feel it would be very useful for those looking to use 818 as DD, especially if it has varying degrees of control, one of which is Off.