su-version

A few month's back I intro'd myself here and then disappeared but things are beginning to unfold. The current drive train is 2.0 w/ a 901 transmission, both of which I rebuilt. After putting 90 hr's on the combination I decided to move on. I sold the Porsche drive train yesterday and will pull it out in the next few days. At that point chassis stiffening will begin. Next will be the water cooling system. Remember, these cars have aircooled engines. A radiator with cooling fans will need to be fabbed and box/ducted. Some of the front trunk will be lost as a result but these cars also have 2 trunks (mid-engined) so no big deal. All the while I'll be on the lookout for "that" donor vehicle I'll probably end up cannibalizing a SVX for the engine/AC/ECU/Harness'. Then find a 5speed to mate with it. A cable shifter will need to be fabbed and most likely the existing cable clutch system will need to be converted to hydraulic. Existing suspension/brakes will need an upgrade to handle the extra weight. I'm sure I will have a million Suby questions for you guy's in the beginning. The next post will be with pic's as the project gets underway.

Hey guy's, Thought I'd better check back in so that I don't get a "flake" reputation. As always, thx for the replies. I'm about a 1/2" from joining Easy/Export to facilitate locating one. I did find an early 90's SRX 3.3 w/ a std but back to "it being too long" + I hear the later 5/6sp's are stronger. I'm afraid I won't have much to talk about for a few mo's. I'm selling my Ghia to $$$ this build. I was going to drop the $$ "one large" because of a small chip then my neighbor tells me he is expanding his dent-less repair business to include spot/paint repairs in Dec.:headbang:So, Dec at the earliest before any major gutting occurs. I did pick up nice a used/new Miller Mig w/ 300cf tank full of 75/25. The kid had only used about 1/4 of a spool. Then I found his motive to sell. The wire feed kept jamming because the wire wasn't seated in the feed groove + the wire cable that feeds the wire into handle/tip was not connected. He had the tension-er pegged to no avail. Once seated properly a#2 on the tensioner w/ .023 is fine.

The more I look at 2001-03 LL Beans the more I believe that I wont find one with a 5 speed. Any advice about converting any H6 Automatic to any 5 speed, if I go stand alone. Another rookie question; if you go stand alone does it matter if the motor/tranny is USDM or JDM? Is the variable valve an EZ30 made after 2003? I need to stay with the EZ because of it's short length. Otherwise I end up cutting out some trunk. Thx again for the tips.

Thx Bernie, I appreciate your input. And yes, I'll takes lots of pics because this will also post on a 914 board. Once underway it show be a 14-18 month project. Twelve months if I have time and extra $$$. The 914 chassis will require some bracing to prevent the uni body frame from flexing, so yes....lots of pics will follow. You got my attention when you said more power with stand alone. You mentioned the right exhaust....I've read similar comments saying the EZ30D was good for another 5-15hp w/ improved exhaust flow. And yes, RWD w/ blocking plate. Shifter will be off an MR2 or similar, cables and I'll fab some actuator plate on the tranny. IIRC, I saw a video of some Aussie racing a 914 w/ a 3.3 Suby turning an insane 8000 or 9000rpm. It was awesome sounding on my comp. Must be an incredible sound to hear in person.

2WD 5 speed using a block off plate on rear drive. However, if a 6sp were to make itself available:D

OK, I understand. This is the kind of info I seek. My goal was to reuse a lot of the Suby wiring but if this is asking for headaches I would spend $$ for aftermarket ECU. I'll read these in a few. Thx for the links

I'm going to be monitoring class here for the next couple of years trying to learn the Suby's. BTW, my 1st "new" car was a 76 DL. Great board guys.

OK, now I get to show my ignorance; what does "stand alone" mean, exactly. Does that mean to shed the OE ECU and go aftermarket? I've got so many questions you'll wish you'd never replied.

Noobie here wants to convert my 914 to a Suby drive train. I will have many questions as this project progresses and I can't tell you how happy I am to have found you guys. I've been lurking for awhile and believe this board more user friendly to the uninformed than Nasoic so I decided to pitch my tent here, so to speak. Before cars my hobby was homebuilt aircraft so it was a natural progression into the world of Porsche and it's aircooled engines. After bringing a couple of 914's and a Karmann Ghia back to life I began to think about water cooled and it's advantages not to mention the modern day electronics and air conditioning. It's easy to see that the flat boxer design that Subaru uses is a great platform for a Porsche engine replacement. Not to mention their stellar reputation. There are 2 things holding me back at the present. First, I need to sell my Ghia to make room (I currently have 6 cars) and raise a little transplant cash. And second, I need to decide on which platform to pursue. I am considering one of two. Either the EJ25 Turbo or EZ30D N/A. I really like the sound of the 6 vs. the 4 and the fact that it is about the same HP/torque as a turbo 4. That and I would not have the inter-cooler dilemma to deal with. It's a Royal PITA to do in these mid-engined, originally air cooled cars. My plan has been to by a doner, gut it and transfer over as much as possible including A/C, steering column, gauge cluster, tranny, etc. So after much Pontification my first 2 questions that I need help with. First, if I bought an engine/tranny combo only can the original ECU be flashed to my needs or should I look at aftermarket ECU's? Secondly, if the donor car were an automatic could I use a 5 or 6 speed w/o confusing the ECU? BTW, are there any shop drawings that show the dimensional differences between the std and automatics?