Subaru engined Lotus 7 replica

[potatobeater]

Hello, I am a newbie here and I am on a quest for Subaru info, specifically I am looking at building a Lotus 7 replica from scratch and I would like to put a Subaru engine, trans and diff in it. The car will weigh about 1300 lbs. when done and I would love to have around 200 HP through a 5 speed trans. The Subaru diff seems to be the way to go, R160, I believe and I will need shorter CV axles, but I would like more info on the best engines that are most suitable. I can go turbo, but prefer not to have to row the gearshift through the gears just to get the car up to speed. In other words, suitable torque range, not buzzy. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Chris. PS I am a ticketed mechanic and welder.

[idosubaru]

2001-2004 EZ30 - timing chain, very low maintenance, no wiring concerns like later EZ engines.  220 hp or so stock.

1997 and earlier EG33 (SVX engine) - 230 hp and excellent reliability, hard to find parts for though rarely needed.

a built EJ25 - frankenmotor for higher compression and delta cams can get you to 200 or close.

 

if you need shorter axles does that mean the car is narrow and that's a constraint?

[ausmattw]

Although I absolutely love the concept, I can see a few challenges. In no way am I intent on discouraging you.

The width of a Suby motor may be too wide for the narrow 7 frame.

A 7 is traditionally rear wheel drive. What gearbox do you have in mind?

The engine of a 7 is set behind the front axle line, which is way up front. If you are thinking of going all wheel drive, the nose of a 7 doesn't have the real estate for an engine ahead of the axle.

My thoughts off the top would be a built EJ25 or the 6 cylinder options suggested above, mated to a Nissan or Toyota box, diff is open to options as you need a custom driveshaft anyway, but matched to rear suspension if its not custom. Rear suspension and shafts you'll need to research. Old school is a solid rear diff. I've seen Mazda MX5/Miata rear subframe used successfully.

[golucky66]

Could very easily use a EJ255 from a Baja, forester, or legacy. Build 215 ish hp. It's turboed if you're interested in that.

Any of the above options are good too. Just depends what you want to do

[potatobeater]

Thanks guys for all the input and ideas. Just having an engine model number and year spread is a good start, however, I do not think I have the width of engine bay for a flat six. The engine bay is tapered and starts at about 40" wide and tapers down towards the front so I will have to get a valve cover to valve cover width of the suggested engines, ie:EZ 30 or the EJ 25 to know if they will fit. I want to go IRS and I am wondering if the R160 diff will handle 220 HP in a 1300 lb. car?

The reason I want to go with Subaru is the incredible reliability of the engines, smoothness and the fact that a flat 4 will lower the C of G a lot compared to a tall four cylinder. I will have to go with a Nissan or Toyota gearbox and custom length driveshaft and shorter CV's. Any more ideas, cautions or suggestions would be welcome. I have a lot of reasearch to do before I pick up a tool. Thks.

[turbosubarubrat]

I would go with a built frankenmotor or a turbo ej engine mounted to a toyota w-serries transmission using Bill Hincher's bellhousing adapter. If the rear diff becomes a problem you can always swap to a r180 or even a r200.