My new car

I have made some decisions about the car that I hope I don't regret.  

John at Outfront wanted to make my car the first drive by wire (accelerator) ever.  Remember John is not using stock subaru ECU.  So the drive by wire would take some additional programming and some different hardware.  Being 2000 miles away I really don't want to be the guinea pig for anything.  I asked him why he didn't use the stock ECU (obviously with drive by wire).  Its all about power.  That ECU cannot be reprogrammed and is set up for 50 states emissions and 87 octane fuel.  So the engine with the stock ECU runs lower compression.  He programs the ECU so it runs with different cams and higher compression so it can take advantage of premium octane fuel.  It would be difficult to tell the difference between regular and premium in a naturally aspirated suby car with the stock ECU. So I'm not doing DBW.  But I am doing 200 hp.

Greg Leach also wanted my car to be the first VM spyder with a subaru 5-speed.  This was very tempting.  Obviously I would not have to flip the R&P since its a mid engine car.  The car would still be swing axle.  I asked him how he would line up the rear axles.  He said he would change the motor mounts and adjust the engine position accordingly.  He would also have to change the length of the rear axles.  I'm keeping the Rancho 4-speed with the LSD.  Bare aluminum tranny with black powder coated axles.

I've been the guinea pig before.  My motto for this build is KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID.

crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:

What Stan said!

I've always wanted to do the scoops on my speedster...

Banzai Pipeline posted:

crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:

What Stan said!

I've always wanted to do the scoops on my speedster...

ME TOO...thinking of putting one of those MUSTANG SHAKER SCOOPS on the trunk lid of my car....bring a 60ish MUSCLE LOOK to an IM6

I have a unique looking Outlaw and any addition airflow (here in Hawaii) for cooling is a good thing. These vents work!

Phil, I think your decision to go with a subie and rancho is pretty sound as in a 1300lb car open cockpit do you really plan to do a lot of highway cruising at 70mph?  I think not ... so a low 4th and maybe a 3:44 would be a very nice combo.  I would be interested in mimicking a real P tranny ratio set ... just saying with a nice long 2nd gear.

crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:

crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:

What Stan said!

I've always wanted to do the scoops on my speedster...

Banzai Pipeline posted:

crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:

What Stan said!

I've always wanted to do the scoops on my speedster...

ME TOO...thinking of putting one of those MUSTANG SHAKER SCOOPS on the trunk lid of my car....bring a 60ish MUSCLE LOOK to an IM6

I have a unique looking Outlaw and any addition airflow (here in Hawaii) for cooling is a good thing. These vents work!

I was just JOKING about SCOOPS for MY car...but I do have TWIN MOCAL OIL coolers....which help keep things cool along with the TRADE WINDS. Beats 106 degrees in the desert!

I like the rear-facing scoops. Have a set (top part only) for my build and trying to decide whether to install (i.e. also fabricate the lower scoop & etc.). Do they make any difference in performance?

Banzai Pipeline posted:

crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:

crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:

What Stan said!

I've always wanted to do the scoops on my speedster...

Banzai Pipeline posted:

crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:

What Stan said!

I've always wanted to do the scoops on my speedster...

ME TOO...thinking of putting one of those MUSTANG SHAKER SCOOPS on the trunk lid of my car....bring a 60ish MUSCLE LOOK to an IM6

I have a unique looking Outlaw and any addition airflow (here in Hawaii) for cooling is a good thing. These vents work!

I was just JOKING about SCOOPS for MY car...but I do have TWIN MOCAL OIL coolers....which help keep things cool along with the TRADE WINDS. Beats 106 degrees in the desert!

I know you are  joking, who in there right mind would put muscle car scoops on a sports car...We've already seen it done!

Engine build begins

Looks good, Phil.  And KISS is a good approach to take, especially with a hand built car and you being quite a distance from the builder.  The more complicated you make something, the more chance you will have problems, and then it's a back and forth with the builder trying to sort it all out and you trying to find someone locally who can resolve the issues.

I think your car is going to be just right. 

Getting in is easy --- it's the getting out that is difficult.  Doesn't help that the windshield frame is temptingly right there to use as a handle. 

Just have to stand on the seat and step over the door.  When I owned my other 2 spyders I never opened the doors except to clean the car.

Capri blue stripes with gold pin stripes. Ready for clear coat. 

People are going to love it or hate it. I love it. 

Who would hate that? It's gorgeous.

You can count me in the "love it" group.

edsnova posted:

Who would hate that? It's gorgeous.

GREAT COLOR SCHEME.....LOVE IT

Yep.  Just what I would expect in a classy spyder build. 

I get it a blue streak just flew by me  

looks good from here 

First of all, fantastic news Phil! Car is shaping up nicely!

Second, Vintage Spyders are not 1300 pounds. More like 1450-1475 empty, and that's a type 1. Lenny's type 4 is about 1500, maybe a little more, 1510 if I remember. I'm pretty sure the Suby will weigh a little more than that.

I wanted coilovers front and rear and A arms, but that's experimental. I also wanted a 901 5 speed to go with the IRS all around.

In the end, the narrowed beam does the trick, I hope you got one.

The Vintage 190 aluminum wheels are really nice, you'll be happy.

Lastly, there isn't much between nailing a corner at the limit and gone. Be careful, the Spyder can bite you back!

I love the look! It's going to turn out really nice!

My arse is so itching for a 550.......

Not sure how I missed this.

SWEET!

Suby intake parts. 

That your coolant filler? If so, neat! Just weld in the new "high point," eh?

So the engine is complete.  200hp 2.5L suby.  New shortblock with rebuilt heads and mild cams.  Should be good to go in a 1400-1500 lb car.

Phil, that will be more than good. 

A Porscheru Two Cam!

Nice.

Looking good .... they even painted the oil cap and the oil dipstick. 

Fantastic!

Wow! tons of power, you may need thicker shoes to drag your feet to stop. 

Pete

550 Phil posted:

So the engine is complete.  200hp 2.5L suby.  New shortblock with rebuilt heads and mild cams.  Should be good to go in a 1400-1500 lb car.

 

Looks like a darned nice start, Phil. What year and model of Soob would that 2cam  motor have come from ? 

LOVE that black ceramic/porcelain coating.....SPYDER gonna fly..

Looking good,can't wait to see the finished product.

Dave not sure exact year.  Outfront Motorsports uses only JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) engines.  Most are very low miles.  Mine is a EJ25 SOHC.  Probably overkill but I bought a new short block.  I also specified the Z Head upgrade which gave me larger cams with higher compression heads.  Which obviously requires custom ECU and premium fuel.  Wasn't taking any chances.  The suby spyder I built in 2003 (first ever) was delivered with a worn out engine blowing oil.  Failed leak down test and required complete rebuild with new short block the day I got it.  Not Greg's fault.  Sourced by me from a company called Leading Edge that obviously went out of business.  I had actually discussed the engine build with the engine builder who, without my knowledge, quit before my engine was built.  Always wondered why the owner would never let me talk to his engine builder during the process.  Owner had his life threatened by many people who he had ripped off and died of a heart attack shortly after he sent me my crappy engine.  

Man I hope this engine is good.  

That is going to be a fun little car!

Gives me an excuse to stop by Greg's shop and say I... I do need to order some parts for my Coupe build...

*LongFella posted:

That is going to be a fun little car!

Gives me an excuse to stop by Greg's shop and say I... I do need to order some parts for my Coupe build...

RE: "fun little car"

That sir, will be a 1500 lb car with 200 hp. It'll have the capacity to wad you up and throw you away like a used paper-towel. Men will tremble, women will swoon. It will be a fearsome and awesome thing.

Stan Galat posted:

*LongFella posted:

That is going to be a fun little car!

Gives me an excuse to stop by Greg's shop and say I... I do need to order some parts for my Coupe build...

RE: "fun little car"

That sir, will be a 1500 lb car with 200 hp. It'll have the capacity to wad you up and throw you away like a used paper-towel. Men will tremble, women will swoon. It will be a fearsome and awesome thing.

I was wondering why my butthole puckered a little after ready his engine update

*LongFella posted:

That is going to be a fun little car!

Gives me an excuse to stop by Greg's shop and say I... I do need to order some parts for my Coupe build...

Greg says he is picking up the engine on Monday.  If you see a silver spyder with Capri blue stripes I'd appreciate some pics.  Going to try to fly out to LA when the car is complete.  Maybe I can meet some of you Cali guys.

550 Phil posted:

*LongFella posted:

That is going to be a fun little car!

Gives me an excuse to stop by Greg's shop and say I... I do need to order some parts for my Coupe build...

Greg says he is picking up the engine on Monday.  If you see a silver spyder with Capri blue stripes I'd appreciate some pics.  Going to try to fly out to LA when the car is complete.  Maybe I can meet some of you Cali guys.

You ship car back when complete.....I assume.....or?

Definitely ship hopefully to my home in Charlottesville, VA.  I'm keeping this thing where it belongs, in the mountains.