Subaru Brat WRX
Discussion
Hi all,
This is my project - combining a Subaru Legacy Turbo with a Brat. The plan is to create a sleeper - keep the outside looking as standard as possible, while underneath it's fitted with running gear and EJ20 engine from the old Legacy Turbo.
A '93 pick up with a knackered engine, plenty of dents and an interior that smells of sheep is the starting point. The old 1.8 has been removed and the chassis rails have been adapted to make it fit. In fact, just about everything in the Brat's engine bay has had to be pared right back. The aim is to avoid having to cut into the bonnet to make it fit - I don't want anything that will give the game away.
The donor car is (or was) an immaculate and completely standard Legacy Turbo with 131,000 miles on the clock. It's a real shame that it had to be broken but I needed the running gear to be in the best possible condition to (hopefully) reduce costs in the long-term.
With the engine, gearbox, diffs and loom out of the Legacy we're fitting a new clutch and plugs.
The engine, gearbox, propshaft, driveshafts and exhaust are now all in place.
Given the space available we worked out that fitting a second radiator to feed the intercooler doesn't appear possible - there just isn't the space. It's a bit of a squeeze to fit the original in there. So a top mount intercooler from a WRX has been sourced which will mean feeding the air in there somehow. I want to avoid a scoop.
The propshaft was shortened, balanced and fitted (a beautiful job by MJC in Leicester) along with the driveshafts.
Next, a system to mate the Legacy's hydraulic pull clutch with the Brat's old mechanical push clutch had to be devised. A lever system was fabricated to allow the clutch to engage effectively.
The gearbox itself sits further back than the Brat item so a new mount had to be created as well as expanding the hole in the transmission tunnel. It actually sits perfectly now and is more comfortably placed than the old one. And, of course, the shift is much shorter and more precise - a strange feeling when sitting in the Brat.
The exhaust was always going to be a bit of a pain as it's one of the few items that doesn't fit at all. The downpipes were adapted from the Legacy but the whole middle section had to be fabricated and manipulated to allow it to clear the propshaft/rear axle. The backbox from a WRX fitted perfectly (a fluke!) and looks great. The last job is to spray it matt black to disguise it - the diameter does give the game away a bit.
Other additions include a set of 16x6 steels wheels. While the aim is to keep the car looking stock I also want to be able to go around corners without rolling. My concern is that the high profile tyres and 13-inch wheels may lead to scary moments through corners due to the tyre rolling under so I found a set of old Nissan Navara steels on ebay (£20 for four!) and had them powder coated by MK Powder Coaters - they look fantastic and are in keeping with the look of the Brat. The hubs will have to be removed and drilled to convert them from four- to six-stud placement. Finally, a set of 205/45/R16 tyres were fitted.
I bought a second Brat (originally red, now more of a pink colour) for parts - I used this to fit my original Brat with a set of original seats in good condition along with new interior door panels, front and rear lights and various other small bits 'n bobs. The one part I couldn't find was a new tailgate. Painfully (for my wallet) a new one had to be ordered from Japan. It comes as a complete item which makes life easier and should really smarten up the old Brat - although it's still a long way from ever being described as 'tidy'.
Back in the engine bay, the loom has been cut by Richard at RJ Engineering (specialists in Subaru/Volkswagen conversions) - the Legacy ECU will run only the engine while the Brat's loom will take care of the rest. At the same time a VOS chip is being fitted which should give the Brat a bit of extra kick. The combination of the chip, the exhaust and a high pressure fuel pump will mean around 240 bhp-ish. The Brat only weighs 800kg so the power/weight ratio looks okay.
At the moment I'm busy sorting out last minute problems with the wiring loom which should be rectified soon (I hope) and fitting a rollbar in the back (an original Subaru part)as well as the new induction system.
I finally got it started the other day and it sounded incredible - an odd mix of a Legacy/Impreza burbling soundtrack hiding somewhere beneath a slightly battered pickup.
The end result? No, I'm not expecting it to handle and no, it won't look particularly pretty. But it should be a lot of fun and it's something a bit different.
Angus
This is my project - combining a Subaru Legacy Turbo with a Brat. The plan is to create a sleeper - keep the outside looking as standard as possible, while underneath it's fitted with running gear and EJ20 engine from the old Legacy Turbo.
A '93 pick up with a knackered engine, plenty of dents and an interior that smells of sheep is the starting point. The old 1.8 has been removed and the chassis rails have been adapted to make it fit. In fact, just about everything in the Brat's engine bay has had to be pared right back. The aim is to avoid having to cut into the bonnet to make it fit - I don't want anything that will give the game away.
The donor car is (or was) an immaculate and completely standard Legacy Turbo with 131,000 miles on the clock. It's a real shame that it had to be broken but I needed the running gear to be in the best possible condition to (hopefully) reduce costs in the long-term.
With the engine, gearbox, diffs and loom out of the Legacy we're fitting a new clutch and plugs.
The engine, gearbox, propshaft, driveshafts and exhaust are now all in place.
Given the space available we worked out that fitting a second radiator to feed the intercooler doesn't appear possible - there just isn't the space. It's a bit of a squeeze to fit the original in there. So a top mount intercooler from a WRX has been sourced which will mean feeding the air in there somehow. I want to avoid a scoop.
The propshaft was shortened, balanced and fitted (a beautiful job by MJC in Leicester) along with the driveshafts.
Next, a system to mate the Legacy's hydraulic pull clutch with the Brat's old mechanical push clutch had to be devised. A lever system was fabricated to allow the clutch to engage effectively.
The gearbox itself sits further back than the Brat item so a new mount had to be created as well as expanding the hole in the transmission tunnel. It actually sits perfectly now and is more comfortably placed than the old one. And, of course, the shift is much shorter and more precise - a strange feeling when sitting in the Brat.
The exhaust was always going to be a bit of a pain as it's one of the few items that doesn't fit at all. The downpipes were adapted from the Legacy but the whole middle section had to be fabricated and manipulated to allow it to clear the propshaft/rear axle. The backbox from a WRX fitted perfectly (a fluke!) and looks great. The last job is to spray it matt black to disguise it - the diameter does give the game away a bit.
Other additions include a set of 16x6 steels wheels. While the aim is to keep the car looking stock I also want to be able to go around corners without rolling. My concern is that the high profile tyres and 13-inch wheels may lead to scary moments through corners due to the tyre rolling under so I found a set of old Nissan Navara steels on ebay (£20 for four!) and had them powder coated by MK Powder Coaters - they look fantastic and are in keeping with the look of the Brat. The hubs will have to be removed and drilled to convert them from four- to six-stud placement. Finally, a set of 205/45/R16 tyres were fitted.
I bought a second Brat (originally red, now more of a pink colour) for parts - I used this to fit my original Brat with a set of original seats in good condition along with new interior door panels, front and rear lights and various other small bits 'n bobs. The one part I couldn't find was a new tailgate. Painfully (for my wallet) a new one had to be ordered from Japan. It comes as a complete item which makes life easier and should really smarten up the old Brat - although it's still a long way from ever being described as 'tidy'.
Back in the engine bay, the loom has been cut by Richard at RJ Engineering (specialists in Subaru/Volkswagen conversions) - the Legacy ECU will run only the engine while the Brat's loom will take care of the rest. At the same time a VOS chip is being fitted which should give the Brat a bit of extra kick. The combination of the chip, the exhaust and a high pressure fuel pump will mean around 240 bhp-ish. The Brat only weighs 800kg so the power/weight ratio looks okay.
At the moment I'm busy sorting out last minute problems with the wiring loom which should be rectified soon (I hope) and fitting a rollbar in the back (an original Subaru part)as well as the new induction system.
I finally got it started the other day and it sounded incredible - an odd mix of a Legacy/Impreza burbling soundtrack hiding somewhere beneath a slightly battered pickup.
The end result? No, I'm not expecting it to handle and no, it won't look particularly pretty. But it should be a lot of fun and it's something a bit different.
Angus
another berriliant subaru project!
hilariously cool.
those wheels look like Wellers which is a nice 'period' look!
are they really only 800kg? surely it must be more like 950 or something like an old fiesta..?
are they leaf sprung at the back?
that reat picture with the mudflaps and everything is very cool!
hilariously cool.
those wheels look like Wellers which is a nice 'period' look!
are they really only 800kg? surely it must be more like 950 or something like an old fiesta..?
are they leaf sprung at the back?
that reat picture with the mudflaps and everything is very cool!
briSk said:
another berriliant subaru project!
hilariously cool.
those wheels look like Wellers which is a nice 'period' look!
are they really only 800kg? surely it must be more like 950 or something like an old fiesta..?
are they leaf sprung at the back?
that reat picture with the mudflaps and everything is very cool!
Not leaf sprung, there's a photo of the underside, it has a live rear axle. hilariously cool.
those wheels look like Wellers which is a nice 'period' look!
are they really only 800kg? surely it must be more like 950 or something like an old fiesta..?
are they leaf sprung at the back?
that reat picture with the mudflaps and everything is very cool!
k! (If you'll pardon my Inspiral Carpets quote)Thanks for the kind comments.
The rear is fitted with a pair of torsion bars - the rear diff, driveshafts etc. are all Legacy. They were one of the few bits that actually bolted straight on.
There's a kit manufactured in Australia that allows you to convert an Impreza setup, including discs all round. At around £800 for the kit alone it's expensive (relative to the overall cost of the project) meaning it will have to wait. In the mean time I'll just have to rely on some kind of anchor/parachute setup to stop.
On the positive side, if I end up in a field at least I know I can drive out again...
Since those shots were taken I've added an old 'AA' badge in the front grille and a 'National Trust Garden Scheme' sticker for the back window for added authenticity.
Will try to get a Youtube clip up when it's running properly. Might be fun to stick a couple of bales of hay in the back and take it to Santa Pod.
The rear is fitted with a pair of torsion bars - the rear diff, driveshafts etc. are all Legacy. They were one of the few bits that actually bolted straight on.
There's a kit manufactured in Australia that allows you to convert an Impreza setup, including discs all round. At around £800 for the kit alone it's expensive (relative to the overall cost of the project) meaning it will have to wait. In the mean time I'll just have to rely on some kind of anchor/parachute setup to stop.
On the positive side, if I end up in a field at least I know I can drive out again...
Since those shots were taken I've added an old 'AA' badge in the front grille and a 'National Trust Garden Scheme' sticker for the back window for added authenticity.
Will try to get a Youtube clip up when it's running properly. Might be fun to stick a couple of bales of hay in the back and take it to Santa Pod.
Bloody brilliant 
My cousin is moving to NZ next year & was looking for a Ute to drive around in for work- he's a Carpenter.
I remembered a thread on here a while back about a white Brat with a WRX motor in it. Looked proper mint, but I could'nt find it through the search factility so could'nt show him.
Anyone else remember it?
My cousin is moving to NZ next year & was looking for a Ute to drive around in for work- he's a Carpenter.
I remembered a thread on here a while back about a white Brat with a WRX motor in it. Looked proper mint, but I could'nt find it through the search factility so could'nt show him.
Anyone else remember it?
I haven't seen the white one - there's a red one that was built in Australia that was slightly unhinged for road use.
You tube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enMDCVKVjUc
You tube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enMDCVKVjUc
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