Questions about wrx brumby conversion

lawsiejr · Post by **lawsiejr** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:30 pm

Hi everyone long time reader first time poster.
Dont know to much about older subarus and i couldnt quite find the information i needed.

Can a late model wrx engine+running gear+brakes fit and work in a brumby with few problems.
Also what kind of suspenion would be needed as it would be a street car.

Thanks for any help

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:49 pm

Hi There,

First step is to have a good long read of this thread...
showthread.php?t=980
It has heaps of helpful info.

But the short answer is yes, you can get all of those things to work reliably in a Brumby, but it's no weekend job.

Some thoughts come to mind...

Engine
- Need to either modify the engine crossmember or source one from a turbo EA81 car (very rare)
- Need to either modify your radiator support to suit the WRX radiator or have a custom radiator made to suit the Brumby frame and WRX motor
- Need to have the wiring loom cut down to minimum to run the motor and spliced in to run your guages and warning lights etc
- Need a full custom exhaust made for the car
- Need to modify the firewall mounting for the WRX throttle cable to fit
- Need to install a fuel return line in the car
- Need to install a high pressure EFI fuel pump and surge tank

Gearbox
- Need to make a completely custom crossmember
- Need a custom tailshaft
- Need to custom modify the shifter linkages
- Need to custom fit the hydraulic master cylinder and modify the clutch pedal to fit

Rear diff
- Difficult to get a late model diff to fit, you will need to customise the rear driveshafts to suit
- Diff hanger will need to be custom modified to increase strength so it doesn't keep twisting

Brakes / Suspension
The best way to tackle this is to buy a Crossbred Performance kit. This comes with everything you need to bolt the complete set of 4 WRX brakes in.
This includes the hubs which gives the following upgrades;
- Upgrade to 5stud instead of the old 4stud (can run the standard WRX mags)
- Requires the front suspension to be the WRX struts and springs (This answers your question regarding what suspension to run!).
- Being an old car with bucket loads of power about to be thrown at it, you would be wise to replace all suspension bushes.

You can do the conversion in stages....

Phase1 - Engine / gearbox.
You can keep using the standard brakes and hubs and suspension while you iron out any conversion issues and get everything running sweet.
Phase2 - Brakes / suspension.
Install the Crossbred kit.

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:19 pm

Gosh Andrew you make it all sound so easy....

lawsiejr · Post by **lawsiejr** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:33 pm

thanks for the help andrew

daza · Post by **daza** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:59 pm

AnderwT's list is a good guide, but he didn't mention one thing that puts a lot of people off.
The Quad cam motor wont fit between the chassis rails.
There's ways of making it fit, big lift or "modifying" the rails for example.
But there are legal issues with both however...
Not trying to discourage ya, just inform ya!
Daza.

lawsiejr · Post by **lawsiejr** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:05 pm

ok thanks buddy.
i was looking at buying one that was already done but cant seem to find any at all really.
thanks again

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:51 am

I reckon it would be much easier to get an Impreza and chop it down into a ute...

I've seen a few WRX/STi converted Brumbies on Ebay. Rare and I have no idea how they get them legal. If they do that is.

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:44 pm

[quote="Phizinza"]I reckon it would be much easier to get an Impreza and chop it down into a ute...
quote]

I doubt it there is way more work involved in Modifying a body shell.

lawsiejr · Post by **lawsiejr** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:39 pm

thanks guy apreciate it

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:14 pm

that boys like a book

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:36 pm

Phizinza wrote:I reckon it would be much easier to get an Impreza and chop it down into a ute...

LOL

you serious?

theres a reason the number of EJ20T brumbies on teh road is huge and the number of impreza utes is probably zero...

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:43 pm

I think Phizinza's experience with making an Impreza into a ute heavily involves Photoshop

lawsiejr · Post by **lawsiejr** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:21 pm

does any one have a wrx converted brumby on this site.
I am pretty sure there are a few.
Could you tell me what suspension your running and how the ute handles
thanks

Brownster · Post by **Brownster** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:34 pm

I bought the one from Perth...It is now in Sydney currently undergoing new paintwork etc... Handles awesome although changing the coilovers on the front to an STI spring and strut combo as way to harsh for such a light car..
Rear is standard torsion bar with shock suspension. Was at the RS Liberty National meet at Oran Park on Sunday where a couple of guys are currently fabricating custom rear suspension to incorporate strut and spring combo...Will be interested to see if that gets up and working...

lawsiejr · Post by **lawsiejr** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:40 pm

Ok cool and thanks.
Have you got any vids of the brumby and have you had any problems with it.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:15 pm

Hey checkout this thread on another Perth forum...

http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16682

(you might have to join up to view it).

It's a WRX converted Brumby forsale....I'm sure the seller won't mind giving some information about it to you.
Sorry his advert doesn't have any contact details listed, you'd have to PM him via that forum.

Brownster · Post by **Brownster** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:50 pm

lawsiejr wrote:Ok cool and thanks.
Have you got any vids of the brumby and have you had any problems with it.

Only problem after 10000km of driving it around the race tracks, to work and skid pans is that the power steering lines needed to be re-located away from the turbo....

Brownster · Post by **Brownster** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:51 pm

Video of the brumby...Only a short one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDrzNYmtGDc

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:54 pm

hahaha great little vid there mate. do a few mc and track days in her hey?

Brownster · Post by **Brownster** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:59 pm

Planning on competing in the WRX club Supersprint series that is running this year + the Skid Pan events... They are built to be driven + I drive this around 500km to 1000km per work as a work car...