Any kit cars use the Subaru flat 4 turbo engine?

[300bhp/ton]

Just curious, but are there any/many kits out there that utilise the Subaru powerplant? I'd have thought it might be a more common engine in various kits and custom builds.

Excluding the Murtaya as that uses slightly more than just the engine. What else....

[thescamper]

It has been used in some of the beetle based kits like the chesil. The vstorm uses it and I am sure there have been a number of specials built using it. The probelem with the engine as I understand it is that it is very wide which makes it unsuitable for the current crop of 7 clones.

[paulpsz008]

SDR sportscars use it in the WR3 (WR=wrx & 3= 3 seater)..
http://www.sdrsportscars.co.uk/

FWIW I think the Subaru flat 4 will be the next big thing on the MR layout kitcars.

[300bhp/ton]

Is it easier to fit for a m/r than a f/r then?

[paulpsz008]

300bhp/ton said:

Is it easier to fit for a m/r than a f/r then?

Well the set-up is similar to Audi/porsche with almost a trans-axle on the back of the engine.
You then need some way of removing the prop and blocking off the rear of the gearbox but that's not too hard?
Here's a standard Subaru set-up

Here's a modified one in an SDR

Edited by paulpsz008 on Thursday 23 June 11:46

[B33FY]

300bhp/ton said:

Is it easier to fit for a m/r than a f/r then?

The mid engined install gives you a lot more room to get around the engine what were difficult jobs become easier for example a clutch change is so much easier. Though changing the alternator is a little more tricky. The Cambelt can be done in situ to gain access the fuel tank can be dropped fairly easily.

The two images above show two different variants of the engine / gearbox. The top image does not look like an EJ20 engine (the heads are different, also the gearbox is different, the main casing is a different shape perhaps it is a six speed box. The mid engine gearbox conversion is only currently produced for the earlier 5 speed box , I don't know that the design of the six speed box allows easy conversion.

The SDR in the second image has a JDM engine with a 5 speed conversion running about 250bhp My particular build has a uk spec engine and gearbox in situ (220bhp) Below is a link to some images of the engine install without the chassis rails in place. There are also images of the install as it is today with rads and intercooler in place feel free to browse and leave comments.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/buckmoreboy/544007049...