MRG MotorSports 818S Build

[gruenwald_m16]

Builder Michael (just got my Driver's License in July)
Ultimate Father-Son Project (I kick his butt auto crossing this year)

Donor: 2004 Forester XT, It ran last weekend, took it to the scrap yard yesterday.

19352393_1X.jpg

818 Chassis #22
The rear one on the trailer and I'm next to my dad:
wreck wrap.jpg

Game Plan
Daily driver, autocross, track day car.
Wookie compatible modifications, I'm 6"2" 250#
Widest tires that will fit.
2.5L stock turbo engine with longevity tune and 5MT transmission

Status: Donor disassembled, but not cleaned up yet. Chassis powder coated intense blue over chrome.
P1040801s.jpg

[Aequitas_Veritas]

I really like the color you powdercoated your frame. Did FF do that for you or was it someone else?

[Mechie3]

Someone else did it. His dad is making one of the electric ones. Pretty cool to have two in the same house!

[Bob_n_Cincy]

These are the Lower control arm bushings out of our forester.

Would it be possible for the guys building 818R to use these instead of spacers. This one would be used on the right side of an 818. If so, would someone like to trade?
Bob

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I really like the color you powdercoated your frame. Did FF do that for you or was it someone else?

A local company called Tristate Fabricators did it for me. They have been doing powder coating for my business since 1997.
They sand blasted, pressure washed, phosphate etched, and the two layers of powder.
So I don't have to bother him with every little part going forward, I got and old oven and an Eastwood kit to do them myself. I will have them do my other chassis. Color not chosen yet.
Bob

[Bob_n_Cincy]

We dropped the whole front powertrain out of the forester in one piece. Same for the rear. Spent most of the day taking the rear apart. 2 cans of PB plaster and a 6ft cheater bar.
P1040811s.jpgP1040810s.jpg

Interesting find. The front brake disk are bigger on the forester than the impreza.

[RM1SepEx]

Interesting find. The front brake disk are bigger on the forester than the impreza.

for towing capability perhaps?

[Mechie3]

Could be because their Impreza donor was NA and their forester is an XT model (turbo).

[RM1SepEx]

yes, I'm sure that's it, turbo ++ :-)

[flynntuna]

And the forester is some 400lbs more.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

The forester carcass was 860 lbs. at the crusher.
P1040814s.jpg

[Bob_n_Cincy]

We are basically going to mount the shifter to the floor like in the 818R prototype.
shifter.jpg

I plan on running wires up high in the tunnel on both sides of the shifter.
Bob

[Mitch Wright]

Bob, I have been planning on doing the something as FFR's 818R. I was able to polk around the car at PRI which confirmed some of the idea's I have.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Hey Mitch,
Just take a stroll over to the museum, I'm sure there are some good idea's over there.
I was at PRI last Saturday with my son. Talked to Colby and Wayne about a lot of stuff.
If you get up toward Cincinnati, stop by.
Bob

[Mitch Wright]

Thanks Bob, I might just have to stop by to see what you are up too.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Does anyone see a problem with mounting a lot of the electronics on a plate, on top of the frame, and under the dash?


Because of my wookie seating I do not have room on the rear firewall for some of the electronics.
The dash looks like it is easy to remove. I'm looking at putting a plate where I put the circle in the picture. On it I would put the relay box, fuse box, engine ECM and immobilizer module.

[wallace18]

There is plenty of room there. I mounted my radio in that area through the dash. I would make some sort of easy to remove mount though.

[Mechie3]

I'm mounting a lot of my electronics up there in that area including relays, immobilizer, body integrated unit, and other nick nacks. My fuse box doesn't reach up that high though.

[RM1SepEx]

none of my stuff can reach that area...

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Thanks Craig and Dan.
I understand the length issue. I already decided that I was going to modify wire lengths. It is good to know they are close. That way I can mount the components with the wires dangling. Than cut and reroute one component at a time with a test between each.

Talking about immobilizers, Is there a way to eliminate them without changing ECU?
Bob

[Mechie3]

Don't know. If you wanted to, you could relocate the immobiler antenna and permanently mount a chip from the key next to it under the dash. Not sure if you're just trying to save weight or get away from needing a key.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

i have the key(w/chip), immobilizer and ecu with the 04 forester XT AUTOMATIC.
I have an O5 forester XT Manual ECU but no key or immobilizer.
So my options at this point are:
1 automatic ECU with manual trans.
2 Stand Alone ECU
3 get a Manual ECU with key and immobilizer.

Does anyone have a better idea?
Bob

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Quick question about Cleco's
I'm about ready to glue on my aluminum firewall.
After applying silicon, do you put the clecos back in or do you go straight to pop rivets?
Does silicon clog up the clecos?
Bob

[RM1SepEx]

I use the clecos after applying the silicone, no problems, been doing it for years

[metalmaker12]

Don't know. If you wanted to, you could relocate the immobiler antenna and permanently mount a chip from the key next to it under the dash. Not sure if you're just trying to save weight or get away from needing a key.

I would do what Craig mentioned if I were in your boat .

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Is there any tricks or special tool to separate a Subaru engine and transmission?
Bob

[wallace18]

Is there any tricks or special tool to separate a Subaru engine and transmission?
Bob

You may have to pull the throw out bearing shaft on some models. It has a plug on the side to get it out.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

You may have to pull the throw out bearing shaft on some models. It has a plug on the side to get it out.

thanks tom
this one is an automatic.
I just watched a couple of you tube videos to get and Idea. Best suggestion so far is to support the weight at the gap and let is split open.
Bob

[Mechie3]

I've had to use a chisel and hammer on a few. Sometimes the dowel pins seize up and they dont like coming apart.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I've had to use a chisel and hammer on a few. Sometimes the dowel pins seize up and they dont like coming apart.

The 3/4" wood chisel and hammer opened a gap of 1/16"
Then a couple of screwdrivers got in the rest of the way off.
Thanks
Bob

[DAS818]

Just noticed your blue powder coated frame - very nice!!

[RM1SepEx]

Does anyone see a problem with mounting a lot of the electronics on a plate, on top of the frame, and under the dash?


Because of my wookie seating I do not have room on the rear firewall for some of the electronics.
The dash looks like it is easy to remove. I'm looking at putting a plate where I put the circle in the picture. On it I would put the relay box, fuse box, engine ECM and immobilizer module.

just noticed... POWER BRAKES???

[Bob_n_Cincy]

just noticed... POWER BRAKES???

Dan
This is one of the early FFR cars. Maybe from the FFR go-kart video I was just using the picture.
No power brakes for me.
Bob

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Michael and I Stopped by Turn In Concepts today to pick up our new clutch.
We are using a turbo 2.5L motor with a push style clutch.

http://www.dxdracingclutches.com/eco...m?item_id=4261

While there, we had a conversation about Stand alone ECU's. Here is a picture of there ECU in the TIC race car.



The unit has a connector the matches the Subaru connector. What I really found interesting is how many wires were not used. See this picture:

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Just replaced my timing belt, tensioner, and water pump to get my engine ready to go in.
P1040836s.jpg

I notice in the manual there are some timing belt guides on cars with manual transmissions.

timing belt.jpg

As my donor was an automatic, I need these guides. Does anybody have any of these guides, or a part number?
Thanks
Bob

[Erik W. Treves]

Are you sure you need them? THe one that I think is critical is the one over the crank pulley. Mine was a automatic and the only guide I used was that one....which I had to get. I spoke with the subi dealer and not all years used these guides.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Are you sure you need them? THe one that I think is critical is the one over the crank pulley. Mine was a automatic and the only guide I used was that one....which I had to get. I spoke with the subi dealer and not all years used these guides.

Thanks for the response Erik,
The guides are to keep the belt from jumping teeth when motor is spun backwards. In engine reverse the crank pulls up on the tensioner and the rest of the belt gets loose.
During the past year auto crossing Michael or I spun around a least 4-5 times. (I don't keep count) About half the time I stall it as I don't get the clutch in fast enough. I suspect the engine may have spun backwards durning those stalls.

I see the belt guides as cheap insurance. Does any one have some, or a part number for them?
Does it take special back side timing belt covers?
I have the one for the crank. Just looking for the one for the cam pulleys.

[JeromeS13]

13145AA010 x 3 for the guides
800406050 x 6 for the bolts

http://opposedforces.com/parts/impre...llustration_1/

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Thanks Jerome
just what I needed.
Bob

[JeromeS13]

Thanks Jerome
just what I needed.
Bob

No problem. I love the OpposedForces website for things like that.