My Project Impreza AWD Rotary
 

I like to compete in the SCCA rallycross events here in Michigan because it is something to do during the cold icy winter when autocross doesn't exist. My winter/rallycross car is an '82 Rx-7 and while this is good when there is traction it is terrible slow in the snow and ice.
Attachment 711083
Being a devote rotorhead I hated seeing how slow the Rx-7 was and so after a year of thinking what to do, considering whether to convert the Rx7 like the Rod Millen cars or swap rotaries into an Audi Quattro, Geo Tracker, or Impreza. The Impreza looked to have the most potential and after taking many measurements at junk yards I bought a high mileage 1998 Impreza L AWD at an auction. The best thing about it is the body is in very good condition meaning very little corrosion.
So this is where I'm at with it at this time:
Attachment 711084
This shows S4 13B housings bolted to the oil pan with a turbo on for good measure! The more I get into this the better this installation looks. There is room in front of the standard radiator for the oil cooler, exhaust routing looks easy, no clearance issues if I run a turbo, and the standard S4 oil pan fits perfectly. I will need to modify the Subaru cross member so the rear edge of the sump can sit about half an inch lower. In addition engine mounts will need to be fabbed up to this cross member.
Attachment 711085
There will be issues with the S4 waterpump nose fouling the radiator but I wonder whether an FD pump would help because it is shorter. Also not sure if the alternator would clear the hood. Fabbing the trans/engine adapter plate and mounting the starter motor are going to be challenging.
Attachment 711086
This shows a 12A on the left and the 2,2L Impreza boxer engine side by side. Interestingly these engines are exactly the same length from transmission face to front pulley! Initially I thought only the 12A would fit but now with the 13B mocked up in position it also fits. Rather have the 13B for extra torque, parts availability, and ease of turbo installation.

so your gonna make a adapter plater for the subie tranny and hook it to a 13b?
this looks like a awsome idea..
all the best with the project

it seems like a cool project...
Ill like to see how this ends up..

good luck ;)

Yes 13B with Subaru AWD trans.

GL with this project...cant wait to see it on dirt road

Good to see someone putting two great ideas together. Subaru AWD and a boosted rotary should make one hell of a weapon.

Great project. What is your timeline for getting it one the road?

At the latest it has got to be on the road for next winter. So Nov. 2010.

Anyone know the height of a TII intake above the rotor housings? Need to know whether this it would clear the underside of the hood.

i messured off the top of the square on my rotor housing to the top of the manifold and got
7"1/4 camera angle makes it look like 1/2" but its not..

heres how i messured
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1263006499

heres the square was talking about
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1263006411

if the water pump is a real issue for clearence u can always to a electric one.

i really like your project i started to look for subies on craigslist lol..:icon_tup:

cheers
chris

Awesome project.


Turbo AWD+Rotary=Win

Very original

This looks awesome I can't wait to see how it all works

Well this thread has my attention. I was expecting all talk no car, but your already working on it, sweet deal!

haha awesome. I posted up about this years ago and everyone flamed the hell out of me. Nobody like the idea.

Keep up the good work! I'd love to see this happen.

Thanks for all the encouraging responses and thanks BLWFLY for the intake height measurements.
I need to place the hood back on today and check the clearance to see if a standard TII intake fits. Will also start mocking up the trans adapter plate.
If someone has an FD waterpump could they measure the distance from the face where it bolts up to the housing and the hub face where the pulley bolts on? This I will compare to an S4/S5 waterpump length and determine whether it will interfere with the radiator fans.

Been done...Tokyo Auto Salon...circa 2003ish...

that is a friggin awsome car..

Thought you all would like that..***NOTE OIL COOLER PLACEMENT****

There was one getting around New Zealand a few years back as well. Not sure what happened to it - someone might know?

After mocking up an adapter plate out of wood and installing 13B dummy engine found there is about 7 inchs clearance under the hood for intake manifold. Elimination of one of the hood strengthening braces will give another 1/2" clearance.
Standard NA intake definately won't fit due to lack of hood clearance.
Attachment 711097
Took a look at how the engine mounting might look for the 13B
Attachment 711098

Next I'm going to install the adapter onto a half BP 12A and see how it looks in the engine bay. I think this engine would work well with a turbo and fuel injection. I like the idea of a top mount intercooler positioned in the std Subaru location with a WRX hood scoop.

i would think at least a 13b turbo engine for this car how much dose the car weigh?

whats the power out put of the subie engine?

12abp turbo should do tho.

1998 Impreza with 2.2L had 137hp and weighed 2700 lbs. To be competitive in M4 rallycross I'll need at least 200 - 250hp.

That's just an awesome project, I'm putting a 13B N/A in a 1300lbs 1959 Bugeye. If a 13B fits in here it will fit in anything! Good luck and Keep us posted. Dave

awesome project. cant wait to see the final product.

any more info on your 13b bug?^^

any more info on your 13b bug?^^[/QUOTE]

Bugeye is in hibernation till March 1st. But I have been busy polishing.

Has anyone even seen a AWD Rotary, just sounds cool! Can't wait to see a vid of this one!