1991 FWD Loyale: Engine Swap questions

[rodriguezmarc718]

I own a 91 subaru loyale/Leone and I the engine is shot. I need to replace it but I also want to rally it in the future. I would like to swap a Fiesta ST engine in it since my subaru is front wheel drive like the FiST. Do you think an ST engine would fit? What are the first things I should check to make sure it would go together? This would be my first engine swap and I have the people that are physically and mentally qualified to perform the swap but they are not too big on older model Subaru's. Anything helps.

 

I don't want a boxer engine because its a FWD Loyale and I need a little more fuel efficiency.

[wagonist]

I think you need to open your hood, and then open the hood of other cars before you continue your grand ideas.

[rdweninger]

yep ... I would definitely go with the Fiesta engine.    Subaru obviously didn't have a clue when they designed the horizontally opposed engine.

Maybe you should google 'to the moon and back Subaru'.

[SoobDood05]

I think that would be super expensive man. Honestly it would be wayyyy cheaper to rebuild an ea turbo and turn up the boost. Or ej swap it and it would be reliable on top of it. Although that would be awesome to see the money you would have to spend you'd be better off buying a brand new car.

[suberdave]

step one: put your Subaru up for sale. it wont be worth much because it has a blown engine.

 

step two: take the few $$ you get from the sale, go buy a GEO or Fiesta.

 

but really, i have done many subaru swaps, however they have all been with newer subaru engines.

 

for what i would cost you to put a Fiesta engine in your subaru, you could go out and buy a Fiesta ST.

[MR_Loyale]

Since you own a Loyale, I presume you aren't Nelson Rockefeller with billions in the bank to hire a team of machinists and mechanics. That is probably what it would take to make such an engine swap. But who knows, maybe you could have some fun redneckin it together. Just don't expect an easy time of it and if the Loyale is your daily, get a bike or enjoy walking while you do the project over the next 3 years because a swap and go weekend job this is not.

 

The first question to ask in this fantasy is "Would the engine bolt up to the transmission?".

 

Good luck.

[pvpals]

I need the tranny/diff unit, if you sell.  

Thanks

[l75eya]

LOL these responses though.
To the OP,

My friend, I admire your dreams, but they are going to have to remain just that, unless you have a bunch of money to burn for the hell of it.

Though the idea of the super powerful and super light ecoboost motor mounted under the hood of a Loyale would be a hoot to drive, and I admire the thought that would have otherwise never, ever have crossed my mind; it's not just the FWD configuration that makes the swap do-able. There are other things to factor in,

A subaru motor is facing you when you open the hood. The crankshaft is facing the front of the car, the flywheel is facing the back of the car, the cylinders are running along each side of the car.

A modern FWD engine is actually sitting in the car sideways. The crank faces either the pass or drivers side and the cylinders are towards the hood or firewall.

Subaru boxer engine has the transmission mounted towards the back of the car
Modern engines have their transmissions (FWD cars anyway) mounted facing one of the front wheels...

It's just all really very complicated and not nearly as straightforward as you are imagining it to be.

If you were willing to spend money to make that happen, now that you know it's not possible, take that money and put it towards mounting a more modern subaru EJ series motor in your loyale. Plenty of power, the swap is pretty much straight-forward, and you'll love rallying it like that.

Fiesta ST motor though, damn. That would be fun.