Newest go-cart observations

[PhyrraM]

Picture is here:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater


Observations, not critiques.


Stock seats. The donor must have been a WRX TR model as I beleive that's the only trim (in '06) that had the separate headrests.

Coolant tubes run outside of frame. Looks like hot and cold on seperate sides.

Long shifter cables that run forward from the shifter and then around the frame and finally to the back of the transmission.

Fuel tank behind the seats as evidenced by the large silver filler cap. (critique: Put it on the passenger side like all proper Subarus!)

Long extension spacing the turbo away from the factory downpipe. They normally bolt together. I'm guessing that this is a temporary heat management solution so the gocart can be driven without melting close-to-motor stuff. A final exhaust will come with a final body.

Factory instrument cluster looks like it's just sitting on the frame waiting for a fiberglass dash to call home.

Picture is too dark and too low resolution to check for H6 compatability (likely as intended)

So far, I don't see anything that would exclude most other Subarus as donors. A cable clutch being the biggest hurdle for older cars.

[shim2]

Looks good so far. Can't wait for some official photos. Lotta wiring but that's expected for ODBII. I observed pretty much everything you did there. I like how they routed the coolant pipes, on my old mk2 mr2 it ran down with fuel tank.

[BrandonDrums]

Picture is here:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater


Observations, not critiques.


Stock seats. The donor must have been a WRX TR model as I beleive that's the only trim (in '06) that had the separate headrests.

Coolant tubes run outside of frame. Looks like hot and cold on seperate sides.

Long shifter cables that run forward from the shifter and then around the frame and finally to the back of the transmission.

Fuel tank behind the seats as evidenced by the large silver filler cap. (critique: Put it on the passenger side like all proper Subarus!)

Long extension spacing the turbo away from the factory downpipe. They normally bolt together. I'm guessing that this is a temporary heat management solution so the gocart can be driven without melting close-to-motor stuff. A final exhaust will come with a final body.

Factory instrument cluster looks like it's just sitting on the frame waiting for a fiberglass dash to call home.

Picture is too dark and too low resolution to check for H6 compatability (likely as intended)

So far, I don't see anything that would exclude most other Subarus as donors. A cable clutch being the biggest hurdle for older cars.

It's hard to tell but I don't think the turbo has been moved from the stock location. I think that bracket looking contraption that's about midway down where the stock downpipe would be is simply the doughnut-style gasket connector that allows you to move the pipe around as found on the 65 roadsters. Pic of that same bracket on a 65 roadster seen below.

Also, it appears they have tilted the drivetrain forward a good bit, probably in an attempt to lower the cog a good bit by getting the engine closer to the ground. Looks effective!

[Kalstar]

Unlike the GTM, this car could be the future of the challenger series race cars. The GTM has issues to prevent it from being a viable option but from the look and structure of the 818, it looks like the future car of that series.

[PhyrraM]

I worded a bit odd, I guess.

The turbo is in the stock location. Instead of bolting the downpipe directly to the turbo (as is OEM) the downpipe is spaced back by a horizontal fabrication/tube. At least that's what it looks like to me.

[BrandonDrums]

I worded a bit odd, I guess.

The turbo is in the stock location. Instead of bolting the downpipe directly to the turbo (as is OEM) the downpipe is spaced back by a horizontal fabrication/tube. At least that's what it looks like to me.

Ahh yes, I believe you're exactly right with that...Well, there is a spacing but I don't believe that's the factory downpipe though.

[riptide motorsport]

Looks very nicely done!

[shinn497]

It is the factory downpipe. One of the people mentioned it after talking to jim.

[StatGSR]

It is the factory downpipe. One of the people mentioned it after talking to jim.

it is a factory downpipe, but it still has an extension on it moving it further from the turbo. it is clearly seen in this picture.

[wallace18]

What size is the person you show seated?

[Nuul]

Did they start the engine? I'm curious what the exhaust note is going to sound like out of such a short pipe.

[Sebxb]

Sorry for not introducing myself... this is my first post but anyways... here are the pics:

[shim2]

newenglandsubarus./forums/showpost.php?p=656877&postcount=11

Just throw www. in front of that and a com after the dot

*Sorry about the double post.

[NonProfit]

Thanks for the link shim2.

1336867640.jpg1336867674.jpg1336867677.jpg1336867669.jpg1336867671.jpg1336867626.jpg

Here is the original post.

[el_jefe]

Did they start the engine? I'm curious what the exhaust note is going to sound like out of such a short pipe.

Pretty much like this:


Turbos quiet the engine down quite a bit, actually.

[BrandonDrums]

It is the factory downpipe. One of the people mentioned it after talking to jim.

Yeah, I see now :-P It's been so long since I've used mine I hardily recognized it. I bet this is for MA state emissions compliance, the factory cats must be used and must be in the factory location as a bud of mine reminded me of this morning. This is somewhat of a *******ization but perhaps that would slip by inspection. The only other option would be to alter the up pipe to rotate the turbo forward so the stock DP can bolt up to it without the bracket.

I just hope they offer a larger bellmouth or divorced wg setup so I don't have to custom fabricate the downpipe as I'll most likely be going catless...

The wiring looks daunting though, there's so much mess sitting where the passenger seat would go it scares me.

Do we know if the harness can be 'dieted' like on the fords? I know there's a good bit of codes that can be turned off on the ECU so you can leave connectors dangling and unplugged but not if the wires can be trimmed and capped. I imagine so but I've never split open a plug to see if there's any resistors or such in there.

PhyrraM would probably know...

Also, looks like adjusting the seat won't really be an option, those bars are way too close to fit your hand down there to pull the height adjustment leaver....

[ROB-RST]

The wiring looks daunting though, there's so much mess sitting where the passenger seat would go it scares me.

Do we know if the harness can be 'dieted' like on the fords? I know there's a good bit of codes that can be turned off on the ECU so you can leave connectors dangling and unplugged but not if the wires can be trimmed and capped. I imagine so but I've never split open a plug to see if there's any resistors or such in there.

There aren't any resistors or components in the plugs, it would be pretty easy to strip out the loom. I stripped the cruise control out of my 04 RS loom and spliced it into an 04 JDM WRX loom, there wasn't anything tricky about it but it was time consuming.



There are three separate harnesses - engine, main (cabin, through firewall and left fender to fuse box) and front (connects below right hand 'A' pillar and goes to lights/wipers/thermo fans/ABS/etc). Stripping the main would also remove SRS and ABS wiring which would add up to a fair amount of bulk being removed.

Basically everything in the Impreza engine bay apart from the engine that is controlled connects to the plugs under the 'A' pillar. I'd guess the easiest way to integrate the loom into the 818 would be for FF to supply a new front loom that connects to these plugs and does everything in the front of the car. I don't know what they'd do about the tail lights but there wouldn't be much wiring needed so probably not a big deal to cut and crimp some connectors into the existing loom.

I'd be interested to see what they are doing with the power steering as well. I removed the standard belt driven PS pump in my Impreza and am running an electric pump (electro-hydraulic) which is plumbed into the standard rack. Would be very easy to integrate this into the 818 instead of running lines down the car.

EDIT: Just had a better look and the loom doesn't appear to be routed at all. I think that lump of wiring in the passenger area is the majority of the loom. They'd be able to connect it up and fire up the engine but I can't see anything permanent....

[skullandbones]

With all the relocation of components in this project, I think the customizing of the harnesses could be pretty labor intense but you could put it together like FFR has done with everything intact and test by mocking up the head and tail light, blinkers, etc. The labeling of all plugs and sockets with pics from the original donor would be good, too. I saw a guy building a Daytonna coupe who wired up everything and tested it like this before shortening and dieting the harnesses. Definitely the way to go. I also think the newness of the donor will have an effect on the task as the harnesses are hard to rework when they have "hardened" with age. The real reward in the end is that there is a lot more "plug and play" opportunities on this project even if you have to cut and solder to shorten some of it. WEK.

[Flamshackle]

I'd be interested to see what they are doing with the power steering as well. I removed the standard belt driven PS pump in my Impreza and am running an electric pump (electro-hydraulic) which is plumbed into the standard rack. Would be very easy to integrate this into the 818 instead of running lines down the car.....

What did you use for the electric power steer pump? And why did you do it? I'm currently doing the same thing to my race car using an MR2 pump.

[NonProfit]

I'd be interested to see what they are doing with the power steering as well. I removed the standard belt driven PS pump in my Impreza and am running an electric pump (electro-hydraulic) which is plumbed into the standard rack. Would be very easy to integrate this into the 818 instead of running lines down the car.

What did you use for the electric power steer pump? And why did you do it? I'm currently doing the same thing to my race car using an MR2 pump.

Just out of curiosity, why go to the effort (even a little) to add power steering? Depowering the rack makes sense to me, but as this won't have an engine block sitting over the front axle, what's the advantage?

[ROB-RST]

What did you use for the electric power steer pump? And why did you do it? I'm currently doing the same thing to my race car using an MR2 pump.

I used a 2002 Holden/Open/Vauxhal/Saturn? Astra pump, it doesn't have the vehicle speed input like the MR2 version but it does vary the pump speed depending on load. It works very well and I have no complaints about the steering being light at higher speeds, or at any speed really. It should work very well on the skid pan as the steering feels really smooth at low speeds but I'd like to drive my car back to back with a mates who has reconditioned his stock pump.

I put a 3 stage Moroso dry sump pump in its place. I still had to use a mandrel on the crank pulley for a new drive (radius tooth) but for me it was a convenient spot. I'm also still runing a 3.5" under manifold intake so the engine should drop straight into an 818! I just hope there is room for the extra belt between the motor and the firewall....

[kach22i]

Stock seats. The donor must have been a WRX TR model as I beleive that's the only trim (in '06) that had the separate headrests.

My observation:
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x...%20and%20Ends/

[shim2]

I found these on the NE Subaru forums

[shim2]

There are some pretty nice photos on the NE Subaru forums, I posted image links but said my post would need moderator approval.

http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/for...7&postcount=11

[flytosail]

Do you have a link to those photos?

[shim2]

Do you have a link to those photos?

Every time I post the link it deletes my post. Maybe because I don't have enough posts.

[StatGSR]

Long extension spacing the turbo away from the factory downpipe. They normally bolt together. I'm guessing that this is a temporary heat management solution so the gocart can be driven without melting close-to-motor stuff. A final exhaust will come with a final body.

it actually looks like it is spaced just so it can clear part of the frame for the suspension.

on the note of exhaust though, its interesting to think about the massive routing differences that might exist between turbo and none turbo donors, since it would be odd (although possible) to route the exhaust up over the axle from an NA header.

[shim2]

There are some nice images on the NE Subaru forum. I tried to post the image links here but it won't let me. They show just about every angle of the car from only a few feet away.

[David Hodgkins]

re: Moderated posts

Our spam program catches a lot of junk posts working the way it does but unfortunately we have to approve some posts from new guys. Once you get past the first 10 or so you're good to go.

I've released all the moderated posts and check several times a day to see what needs to be released. You can PM me at anytime if you feel a post needs to be released from moderation.

[kach22i]

Several aspects of the original template which caused me (and others) grief seemed to have been addressed.

1. Radiator height/angle has been lowered.

2. Rear overhang is less now, more realistic.

3. Stock seats and floor pan doing their best minimize overall height.

4. Even the roll bar has been improved to what appears to be a lower profile.

5. Intercooler, fuel tank and other tech issues appear to have been resolved.

The cake appears to be baked now, and the frosting (body) is eagerly awaited.

[Nuul]

Intercooler issues appear to have been resolved.

This was one of the concerns I had. TMIC aren't that efficient to begin with, I was worried their wouldn't be enough airflow to it.

[kach22i]

This was one of the concerns I had. TMIC aren't that efficient to begin with, I was worried their wouldn't be enough airflow to it.

I meant "resolved" in the context of where it was going to go.

The technical issues of being stuck in traffic with reverse air flow may be addressed by the addition of a large draw-down intake fan.

I have no idea, but if it adds weight and or costs it may not be addressed completely to everyone's satisfaction and or every worse case sernario.

[BipDBo]

I meant "resolved" in the context of where it was going to go.

The technical issues of being stuck in traffic with reverse air flow may be addressed by the addition of a large draw-down intake fan.

I have no idea, but if it adds weight and or costs it may not be addressed completely to everyone's satisfaction and or every worse case sernario.

I say, remove the entire rear portion of the body, everything behind the doors and leave it in your garage. That would should resolve any intercooler issues, not to mention get rid of those unsightly camel humps.

[BrandonDrums]

I say, remove the entire rear portion of the body, everything behind the doors and leave it in your garage. That would should resolve any intercooler issues, not to mention get rid of those unsightly camel humps.

Well, those are structural. On a positive note, if there were air ducts facing forward on each hump, you could easily route a LOT of air to the intercooler underneath the angle bars behind the headrests. Kinda MR2 bodykit style but symmetrical and integrated into the body. If you wanted to get fancy, you could then route that air to vent right under the rear diffuser if there is one using some duct tape and metallic dryer hoses lol.

[PhyrraM]

More observations:

The shifter looks to be an OEM part from a non-Subaru.

The exhaust extension is clearly used to avoid the suspension.

OEM airbox is crammed above the right rear tire. I assume a frame revision will eventually fix this.

OEM radiator brackets, as expected.

Thee is no reason for the frame extension in front of the radiator except for a tilt-up front clip?

Still can't quite see answers to the fuel tank or H6 questions.

Battery up front, as evidenced by the red cable to the starter.

[Leonard]

More observations:

The shifter looks to be an OEM part from a non-Subaru.

The shifter cables look to be lokar. I can't figure out what the shifter itself is out of. Maybe an MR2? There is some stuff like this (http://www.renegadehybrids.com/Custo...ures/Pic01.jpg -- which is way too expensive). There have to be lots of options out there in the sand rail community though that aren't so pricey.

[shim2]

I'm pretty sure that's the battery in front of the brake master. I see a lot of wiring, I'm assuming most of it is factory harness.

[fateo66]

Two other things that I notice that I really like are the caster adjustable upper control arms and also the 5 point harness mounts!

[PhyrraM]

I'm, personally, not keen on a 5 point harness. I would like to see the final chassis accomodate a (likely OEM) 3 point seatbelt.

Good observation on the seat height adjuster..a bit of hand space to reach it would be appreciated.

As far as wiring...tough call. Subarus use integrated harnesses. Meaning that engine controls are bundled and wrapped with all the other car systems. This makes segregating and trimming out useless functions very tedious. I'm betting that FFR's official instructions will not do this. However, nothing there to stop an individual from doing his own harness diet.

Off the top of my head....

HVAC, lots of wiring right behind the dash. Probably much of what you see in the passenger seat.
Power windows, mirrors and door locks. Small bits of wiring all through out the harness.
Map lights, Dome light and 4 door switches. I also think that power for specialty rear view mirrors is in all cars.
Stereo and 4 speakers, one in each door.
Non-cluster dash lighting. A good bit of wiring running across the dash.
Fog lights and switch (on most WRXs)
Trunk light.

In a stock Subaru the main wiring 'clusters' are the fuse/relay panel under the hood behind the battery and the fuse/distibution panel un the drivers footwell area.

[shim2]

You saying that the Subi harness is integrated, would every harness be required to get car running properly?