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Old 10-21-2012, 01:02 AM   #1
TyConway
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Default Turbo LsX / LS1 V8 ENGINE ( 8 pistons) Subaru WRX Bugeye Build

I've always loved the Wrx bugeye, but not the power and drive train in the cars. Break too often and way to expensive in my opinion. I ran across Civette's build back almost 3 yrs ago and wanted to do a ls swapped wrx ever since. In 2009 I did try to purchase a wrx roller, but deal fell through and ended up with a 93 rx7 Fd. Did a nice little swap in it but never really enjoyed the car due to it being only a 2 seater / very small and yet again a very expensive to car to replace parts on. After draining my wallet on it, I sold it within 6 months. Ever since I have been looking for a wrx to do the build I want. About a month ago I ran across a pretty clean wrx , nice sti swap, had legit documents to prove what was done to the car ( shop built the entire car for the most par) so i knew it was solid. Also would be easy to regain most of my money invested in the car. I drove 5 hrs to go buy the car, on the way home sure enough I had a power steering pump start leaking and made a nice mess in the engine bay.... About a week later finally got a new pump in and fixed the leak. Finally got to drive the car and almost decided not to change anything on the car. then it happened the rear diff started clicking, ate the spider gears up. Well that made my mind up and the next day i had the engine swap out.... then it snow balls from there....

Purchased the car a little over a month ago.
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Old 10-21-2012, 01:17 AM   #2
TyConway
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Old 10-21-2012, 01:22 AM   #3
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Old 10-21-2012, 01:23 AM   #4
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Then the rear differential was next...

Last edited by TyConway; 06-24-2013 at 01:23 PM.
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Old 10-21-2012, 01:25 AM   #5
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Engine sold fast.... a good chunk of my investment back that i had in the car...

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Old 10-21-2012, 01:27 AM   #6
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few days later the transmission found a new home.

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Old 10-21-2012, 01:34 AM   #7
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So now starting with a good rolling chassis with a lot of goodies still on it left to sell and some to keep and use. It was time to search for a engine and transmission.
I opted for a 4.8 / 5.3 iron block and a t-56 6 speed setup in my car.
So i went to my friend's salvage yard and found a low mileage 5.3 engine. I'll explain later why i went with a smaller displacement engine over the 5.7 and up.
Transmission was still a no go. searched and searched, no good deals, 2k up on ebay, or a ton of miles on them.
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Old 10-21-2012, 01:36 AM   #8
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The 5.3 engine that I picked up. (later found out its a 4.8l)

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Old 10-21-2012, 01:44 AM   #9
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Finally after searching craigslist i found a wrecked 2002 camaro with low miles, but price was out of my range. He wouldn't part it out either. So back to square one, at this point i was really debating on buying a brand new t56 from summit but 3k was too steep. Almost a week goes by and I get a phone call from the guy with the wrecked camaro. He found another chassis, wanted to sell just the transmission. So he wanted some quick cash so I picked it up the following day right as he finished pulling it out. Was i surprised at how clean it was.

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Old 10-21-2012, 01:51 AM   #10
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Now after the hard part ( finding the t56 six speed) it was down to order some parts from Texas-speed.com!
Im just doing basic stuff. Just arp rod bolts, all new gasket kit, beehive valve springs, New ls6 intake, throttle body, injectors and fuel rail. Brand new corvette front drive accessories, Monster Stage clutch kit, flywheel, slave cylinder and arp flywheel and pressure plate bolts. New gm oil pan, pickup, windage tray and dip stick.... and so on... you get the idea. All new and everything to freshen up the engine.
While waiting for the parts to come in, i bolted the trans to the block and did some test fitting.
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Old 10-21-2012, 01:58 AM   #11
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just getting an idea of where i want the trans, so the shifter would work, also to have access to the heater hose / ac hookup on the firewall and the clutch master cylinder and mostly the steering rack position.

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Old 10-21-2012, 02:05 AM   #12
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started on my ls1 mounts.... I used a similar setup that I did on a tube chassis rock crawler that I built.
yes they are overkill. oh well... now time to do some tig welding.



Last edited by TyConway; 06-24-2013 at 01:19 PM.
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Old 10-21-2012, 02:09 AM   #13
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Forgot to take pics during the cradle build, kinda get in the zone and keep building. I do mostly all my fab work at night after i get home from the real job....
But UPS did drop off a few christmas presents from Texas Speed.


then a little checking on clearance...


Everything looked pretty good with the intake clearance.
Also bolt all the front drive accessories on as well, clearance was fine, even with a think aftermarket aluminum mishimoto radiator and fans.
The corvette drive accessories do place the alternator and power steering reservoir up high but still okay with the clearance with the hood, and gives me clearance down low where im going to need it.
I didn't get any pics of the accessories installed, It was friday night and a local shop here Blue Torch Fab , they build rock crawlers, was having an open house, so I spent my friday night checking there massive shop out.
I'm going to update this thread mainly on saturday nights, due to slow time at the "real" job. I'll keep you posted and hope you enjoy the build as much as I do.

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Old 10-21-2012, 02:26 AM   #14
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Almost forgot.... Friday afternoon, i stopped by friend's salvage yard to look around and I stumbled upon a rear cradle out of a 350z. It was a 3.5x gear ratio I believe and also was a Viscous LSD version. Pulled the cover and the ring and pinion looks really good and I don't see a problem using it. Also it had 2k miles on it.

the pic doesn't do the rear diff any justice, the axles are huge compared to my stock ones, I'll do a side by side photo. Also Im working with the Drive shaft shop and a local business to see come up with a hub solution / custom cv axle setup to hold up to my power goal.

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Old 10-21-2012, 02:26 AM   #15
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looks like a badass build.

My question is, what do you do with the front axles if you are switching to a rwd setup?
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Old 10-21-2012, 02:31 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChefRacer View Post
looks like a badass build.

My question is, what do you do with the front axles if you are switching to a rwd setup?

Oh yea, totally forgot about that,actually the first hurdle i figured out after then engine was out. just dissembled the front axles, used the outer stub, clean all the grease out and put it back in so it holds the bearing and put the axle nut back on, torque back to spec. Fairly simple. I'll take a few pics and post them up.
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Old 10-21-2012, 04:50 AM   #17
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Old 10-23-2012, 09:24 AM   #18
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I wish i could buy a "kit" for my 04 STi and do this........i just dont have the time or space to do all the required fabbing
Sooooooo sick of replacing parts on this turned up ass 4 banger
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Old 10-23-2012, 10:15 AM   #19
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whoa! This is shaping up to be one awesome project. I'm subscribed.
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Old 10-24-2012, 01:33 PM   #20
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R160 compared to the new Diff.


Last edited by TyConway; 01-12-2013 at 03:23 PM. Reason: picture added.
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Old 10-24-2012, 01:43 PM   #21
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woah.. dude if you can make and sell the motor/trans mounts. sell a conversion harness, and other things to fit the diff, axles, etc. id so buy instead of going with a built ej257 again

i spy a custom front subframe? plan on making more of those? lol

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Old 10-24-2012, 02:08 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 05subysti View Post
woah.. dude if you can make and sell the motor/trans mounts. sell a conversion harness, and other things to fit the diff, axles, etc. id so buy instead of going with a built ej257 again

i spy a custom front subframe? plan on making more of those? lol

yes you do see a custom front subframe... I still have a few things to add to it and change up. For the most part its came out nice. Sorry no pics of it yet.
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Old 10-24-2012, 08:48 PM   #23
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Well I got a few goodies in today... which i think most of you will really enjoy... I was going to hold off and just surprise everyone but I may post a hint for whats to come...
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Old 10-24-2012, 08:57 PM   #24
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Old 10-24-2012, 09:03 PM   #25
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