Author Topic: introduction  (Read 3586 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline cal44

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Joined: Jun 2012
  • Location: Encinitas, Ca
  • Posts: 687
Re: introduction
« Reply #15 on: Monday,May 05, 2014, 03:08:01 PM »
Dang...........after looking at the sano job of installation.............suddenly I'm feeling dumb.......reeel dumb.
Nice job and holy smokes.....I can't imagine how quick it must be.   The Subie transaxle is in fact an intrigue.

mike

"Be Polite, Be Professional, But have a plan to kill everyone you meet"
General "mad dog" James Mattis
United States Marines

Offline ron parola

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Joined: Apr 2014
  • Location: northern california
  • Posts: 58
Re: introduction
« Reply #16 on: Monday,May 05, 2014, 04:20:39 PM »
97 Subaru legacy, FWD trans, last year for the front drivers, I haven't looked but possibly you could remove the rear drive assy of the all wheel drive trans and use them, but I don't really know. They also shift out the rear end but I changed it to a side shifter, I didn't want the lowest rearmost part to be the shifter. I recall to many customers breaking the rear housing or shift linkage with the Renault trans from backing into curbs. If I remember correctly you could back into the curb (gently)and shove the linkage into reverse only, you couldn't leave the parking spot cuz you were bound in reverse, push in clutch and have someone push you forward, HAH. So to mate the axles to the trans I used TR6 ujoint flanges and subie flanges threaded AND welded together, with the Subie diff stubs drilled and threaded to hold the flanges in place, no more roll pins. The drive axles are 1/2in shorter to accommodate the wider trans. The clutch is a combination of Ecotec pressure plate and Subie disc with an aftermarket hydraulic T/O bearing assy, a custom pilot bearing had to be made and of course I made up an aluminum adaptor plate. All pretty straight forward, the only problem turned out to be 5th gear lubeing; The Subie car has the trans tilted downwards at the stern; a puddle of oil lubes the rear gears. Sitting flat or tilted the other way made them run dry (Dammit). So I had to plug off the drainbacks and put a feed trough to feed oil into rear of trans whilst running, but never completely drain out. They aren't the fastest shifing gearbox but are good for around 350 hp.... depending on tire size and hole shots, your mileage may vary, the six speed is far stronger AND far larger and heavier!  cheers ronp

Offline EuropaTC

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Jun 2012
  • Location: Lincolnshire, UK
  • Posts: 3,140
    • LotusLand
Re: introduction
« Reply #17 on: Tuesday,May 06, 2014, 09:46:44 AM »
Wow, that's a lot of work that you're casually listing there Ron, I definitely think you've got the "Street Cred, Spanners Award" bang to rights !  :)

But after reading that I can see why I've not heard of anyone else using a Subaru box as a substitute for the usual Renault ones. Just getting the lubrication to work properly would have been a deal-breaker for me, in fact I'd go as far as to say that the first time I would have realized something was wrong would have been when little sparkly bits of metal came out in the oil change.

cheers

brian

   

Offline LotusJoe

  • Twink Driver
  • Administrator
  • Super Member
  • **
  • Joined: Apr 2012
  • Location: Southern California
  • Posts: 941
  • Forum Administrator
    • LotusEuropa.org
Re: introduction
« Reply #18 on: Tuesday,May 06, 2014, 11:47:40 AM »
Ron,
Was the Ecotec and Suby Tranny direct bolt ups or did you have an adapter plate? Also which Subaru transmission are you using?
Joe Irwin
3927R TC Special
(The Classic Barn Find)


Offline ron parola

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Joined: Apr 2014
  • Location: northern california
  • Posts: 58
Re: introduction
« Reply #19 on: Tuesday,May 06, 2014, 01:22:08 PM »
The ecotec was a 2004 Chev Cavalier L61 F engine CHEAP! $650 with wiring, ecm, flywheel, everything including shipping, off ebay. Since that time it's been rebuilt but it did hold up well for a used motor. The trans is a 97 Legacy TWO wheel drive; the last year made, yes an adapter plate had to be made; 1/2 aluminum; easily done even with just a sabre saw and a drill, and a new pilot bush is needed, oilite has worked fine. Also the input shaft had to be shortened bit, I think it was about a 1/4 in, cut off wheel did the job, or you make a thicker plate, it was almost too easy! Cheers ronp