If we had access to the proverbial "parts bin" to build a car...

"BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast." (boxerfanatic) 01/03/2016 at 18:49 • Filed to: parts bin, car design, subaru, xv crosstrek, forester, turbo, STI

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Winter is here, holidays are winding down, and driving in the snow belt is getting challenging again. It makes me think of what car I really wish I had to combat all this, and have some fun in the bleakness of winter. And I have plenty of time to think about it.

And I am not talking about weak accessory-catalog efforts. I am talking about using a manufacturer’s existing tech and parts to build a car from the wheels up, unlike they seem to be willing to do.

Body: Forester or XV Crosstrek... Perhaps even combining XV Crosstrek chassis with the roofline, frameless glass coupe doors, and rear gate of the Cross Sport concept, as a 3-door shooting brake. (maybe with a different trailing angle on the rear quarter glass, but very similar to this)

Engine: Everybody loves the turbocharger now... where Subaru was a champion of turbocharging before, and is mostly behind the curve now, save for only the FA20DIT engine in the WRX and FXT, but it is not exactly pushing the bounds of current tech and power output levels. With the advent of the Focus RS, subaru needs to up it’s game.

EZ34DIT. Here’s how to build it.

Take EZ36D block. De-stroke the crankshaft, and use FA20DIT 86mm connecting rods, with the EZ36D’s stock 92mm bore diameter, with forged moderate compression pistons. 92mm bore x 86mm stroke x 6 cylinders = ~3.4 liters displacement.

Modify EZ-series heads (perhaps EZ30R) with the Dual-AVCS cam timing, and replace the EZ30R AVLS valve lift device with parent-company Toyota’s Valvematic valve-lift adjustability, also with D-4S port and direct injection, with a bias toward direct injection, with just enough port fuel injection to cool and clean the intake tract and avoid carbon build up.

point the exhaust manifolds forward, and mount the twin turbochargers under and just beside the crankshaft pulley at the front of the engine, like the single turbo on the FA20DIT.

The performance of Porsche Carrera for the price of Ford EcoBoost V6.

Drivetrain:

Keep the tried and true STI gearbox, although with the Legacy 3.0R Spec.B overseas lower, wider-interval gear ratios, rather than the current STI’s narrow and high-RPM gearing. I would also consider a dual-clutch automated gearbox, re-packaged into Subaru’s specified AWD layout. Porsche PDK/Audi DSG has done it for many years... Subaru should be capable of it, and a CVT won’t cut it for a performance-driving application, or anywhere near the torque of a twin turbo flat-6.

Keep the STI’s DCCD, with front electronic locking differential, and Torsen rear torque-biasing differential, and add a rear brake-induced traction control and torque vectoring assist feature. If it must have an electronic parking brake, perhaps a mechanical-hydraulic hand brake lever for just the rear main caliper circuits for driver controlled yaw angle. Of course that would come with the R180 or perhaps R200 rear differential housing, robust prop shaft and axle shafts, wheel bearings from the STI or Tribeca, monoblock brake calipers, brembo optional, and 5x114.3 hubs with ARP wheel studs.

Interior: STI Limited grade, or similar to the Cross Sport Design concept or Viziv Future concept. (The fold-flat-forward passenger seat option would be handy.)

Suspension:

Bilstein PSS system electronically adjustable dampers, with cross-linked pneumo-hydraulic springs (like Citroen used to have and McLaren now uses, but obviously not at McLaren race-track-ready sophistication levels)

Damping and anti-roll characteristics tied in to SI-Drive vehicle dynamics control, with automatic or manual ride height control, between 5.5-9” of ground clearance.

Other amenities:

fully modern amenities suite, with retained accessory power, full auto window controls, rain sensor enabled wipers, and auto-close if windows or sunroof are left open when parked and rain is detected. Auto vent sunroof if interior temperature rises while parked and not raining.

Owner-serving telematics that are not necessarily required to report to a connected online service, and owner authorized internet access via smart phone or personal cellular hot-spot. Compatible and bi-directional with Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto smart-phone coherence, with keyless entry and start, with personalized memory for seats, mirrors, active dash and infotainment settings, also with remote start if the car is in neutral, and the parking brake is set. (disabled if the car is parked in gear),

EyeSight with infrared spectrum (night vision) assisted object detection, automated high-beam headlight selection, and dash-cam downloadable video buffer. LED lighting throughout, including high and low beam headlights, DRLs, and selective-yellow LED foglights, with three-color LED tail lights, including a rear fog high-brightness function, and amber/white ‘switchback’ turn signal and reverse lights.

This is a car Subaru could, but doesn’t build. For the ~$40K that Subaru charges for a loaded WRX STI, now more than half-way through the 2010-20 decade, after selling WRX STI with the same drivetrain for 10 years, and the fact that CUVS are eating sedans’ lunch for real and practical reasons with cargo versatility, and capability on broken pavement, or off-pavement, Subaru should be selling this sort of performance car, be it 3 or 5 doors, for ~$40K, not a sedan with a good, but retirement-ready engine, and a suspension that can’t clear a parking lot speed bump. Rally cars are not that low to the ground for a reason.

Anyway, that is what I would build if I gained access to Subaru’s production capabilities. Something that would actually pique my interest, unlike Subaru’s current lineup. A bit better of a concept than “the Homer”, I think.

A production-grade, well-appointed, purposefully engineered rally car to take over the real world , reliably, every day, anywhere.

What do you think of it, or what otherwise would you build, from your favorite brand?

pjhusa > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 18:55

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I thought that this was yet another pip bip post.

I was wrong.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 19:07

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My favorite brand is between Porsche and Lexus. I love the Cayenne and I love the ton of power that comes with the Turbo 911s, I’m quite content with the Cayenne Turbo S that they made HAHA.

But Lexus wise, I love long executive cars. I wish that they would take the LS600hL body, put the V10 from the LFA in the front and somehow merge it to the hybrid system to give it more power and full EV mode in the city roads.

More realistically, I’d just wish they took the Sienna body and made it more luxurious, give it the new Lexus dashboard and make a luxury minivan for Lexus.

Matthew Phillips > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 19:09

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From Subaru I would simply make a Monster AWD BRZ using STi parts. I’m willing to pay $40k for one of those.

From Ford, I would take the Mustang Chassis and massage it to make a midsize sports sedan and call it the SHO. it would only have a rwd architecture with the four-cylinder EcoBoost from the Mustang. It would be tuned to make 350-400 HP and offered with both transmissions. Handling will be it’s forte vs outright power.

Or make it into a Lincoln instead (no need for two, one or the other) and call it the Cougar, give it the 3.5 EcoB and massage that to make 450-500 HP and point it at the M3 and the CTS-V.

Give me a small awd hatchback thats not a Focus based on the Mustang and call it the Fox. have it positioned as a high riding rally fighter alongside the Raptor.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 19:23

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Mazda 6 Touring body from Europe/Japan. 2.5 Skyactiv with MT. Braided brake cables, Ohlins adjustable shocks on all 4 sides (similar to Volvo V60 Polestar) on all 4 corners, Pirelli P-Zero compound on all 4 sides.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 19:35

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Throw a 454, a 700r-4, and a posi 8.5 in a Chevette, add C4 wheels and tires, trick suspension bits from the Chevette HS, and two turbos from a T-type Regal, and see what happens.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Matthew Phillips 01/03/2016 at 19:38

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Maybe my SHO will find a Ranger 5 speed and an 8.8 rear end under it some day.

Nobi > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 20:03

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I would absolutely AWD all the things. It always blew my mind that with all these crossovers sharing platforms with sedan counterparts why they never do AWD sedans/coupes/wagons from factory. For Honda, you better believe I’d make a J35 powered, 6-speed manual, AWD lifted Accord coupe. Also an AWD Civic Si. Far as Acura goes, SH-AWD ILX? Yes please, and it better come with a manual option. Hell, go crazy and have every make offer everything AWD as an option. AWD for the next ZL1 Camaro? Make it so. AWD Mitsubishi Mirage? Do it! AWD Prius? I’m sure there's a market for it somewhere.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 20:26

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Favorite brand? Well that’s Porsche, so I’d build a Franken-Cayman with everything from the GT4 but the powertrain of a 911 Turbo.

However, if it can be any brand, I’d build a Ford Transit Connect RS. Basically a Transit Connect, stripped out with Focus ST/RS running gear, wheels, and brakes. Sorta like this:

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Matthew Phillips 01/03/2016 at 20:38

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I would not use a 4 cylinder, but it be fun to see what they could do with the 2.7 EcoBoost.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 20:41

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Easy and already done, the 911 R-GT

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Matthew Phillips 01/03/2016 at 20:43

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It’d be difficult to AWD the 86 because of the packaging up front. Also I think that would make it less fun. Just give me a twin turbo FA-20

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 20:52

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Easy. Make a mercedes G600. Extra long wheelbase G class (think suburban) with no amg shit, and the V12 from a S600.

KatzManDu > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 21:30

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XV STI with a big lift on it; maybe 3 inches or so for some basic real off-roading.

Nauraushaun > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 21:41

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Without getting too deep, I want an MR2. All you’ve gotta do is hack up an 86 into a mid-engine and you’re pretty close to what the MR2 was trying to capture.

It could use a little more power I guess , but it’s more of a cheap sports car than a 300hp supercar. The joy comes from the location of the engine more than anything.

Ryanator122 > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 22:06

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I think I’m gonna go Toyota/Lexus..

ct300h

RAV-4 AWD bits

IS-F engine, suspension, massive brakes

ES seats

Ryanator122 > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/03/2016 at 22:23

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Alternatively I’ll cheat and say VAG, and go Audi S5, Cayenne/SQ5 adjustable suspension (track or offroad mode), Audi R8 center diff

Metzger 4.0 flat-6, front mounted, straight pipes

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Nauraushaun 01/04/2016 at 11:14

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By 86 I take it to mean an FT86-series car, BRZ, FR-S, or GT 86.

An ‘86 (as in 1986) AW11 MR2 is already mid-engined.

It has long been a plan of mine, since before the FA20 or FA20DIT engines debuted, to put an EJ or EZ Subaru engine, and converted-2WD cable-shift 6-speed manual into an SW20-series MR2. An FA20DIT would be just fine, as well. It all depends on the dimensions of the MR2 engine bay, if the bulkhead firewall is far enough forward of the virtual axle line between the wheel hubs to fit the engine and clutch. The rest of the transaxle could reside behind that, even if the rear trunk floor had to be cut and a “transmission tunnel” fabricated for it.

I have also long said that AE86 wasn’t the car Toyota should have resurrected with the FT-86 project... they should have built a 4th generation MR2, as a successor not to ZZW30, but rather as a successor to SW20, if they wanted a light-weight all-handling car. With an FA20 and FA20DIT (4u-GSE and 4U-GSTE in toyota parlance) it could have been an amazing new affordable mid-engined car, instead of a bit of an also-ran front-engined rear-drive car amongst many others that are bigger, more accommodating, and more powerful, and not THAT much worse at handling, or the ND Miata that is better at handling, lighter, and more widely appealing with a drop-top.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Matthew Phillips 01/04/2016 at 11:24

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I have wanted an AWD sport coupe alternative to Mustang or Genesis Coupe for a LONG, LONG time, and I have actually owned a Subaru AWD coupe... a 92 SVX LS-L, despite it’s age and previous owner mis-treatment, and the lack of parts or aftermarket, it was still a fantastic car.

FT86 cannot be AWD, though. The engine is in the way, and prohibits driving the front hubs from a Subaru transaxle. What you are talking about is actually building an Impreza-chassis WRX STI sport coupe... which I would whole-heartedly support.

It is still a little bit “boy racer” for my taste, but at least it would be a coupe... and preferably with a fastback rear hatch. Tiny trunk lids are pointless.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 01/04/2016 at 11:25

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That longitudinal truck-geared transmission and live-axle would be a neat trick on a transverse-engined car. No SHO was ever longitudinal RWD.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Matthew Phillips 01/04/2016 at 11:48

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In terms of Ford... Since Focus RS has been announced, I have wanted something other than a catfish-faced 5-door econobox.

Mix these two together:

A new Lincoln GT coupe with a fastback hatch. It might end up looking a bit like a competitor to the Caddy ELR, but with the split grille front (notice the parallel between the Probe and the Lincoln with the split grille and lighting treatment...), and horizontal full-width tail light, though... which aesthetically is fine by me, since ELR is is a great looking car, aside from the technical aspects.

For the Lincoln coupe’s drivetrain... there is a combo that is begging to be put together.

EcoBoost 2.7 twin turbo V6 in a transverse layout.

Power-shift dual-clutch automated gearbox with an AWD rear driveshaft output.

Focus RS’s rear AWD torque-vectoring differential unit, with axles and independent rear suspension.

I know it is not a stick... but Lincoln isn’t about to do that again, after the LS V6 failed to catch on, and a dual-clutch would have the performance, without alienating buyers that don’t drive a stick, and would be compatible with Lincoln’s push-button dash, with paddles behind the steering wheel. The stick-shift buyers will have the Focus RS as it is. The drivetrain could also be used in the MKZ and MKC sport packages, as well.

It is too bad Lincoln has already used the moniker MKC... but MKR is still available.

And it would be separate enough by the branding not to directly compete with Mustang for dealer floorspace or marketing. It might actually generate some enthusiasm for Lincoln, as well, even if it isn’t a huge seller... it might get some people in the door to look at the other stuff.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 01/04/2016 at 11:52

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this is what would happen. The engine would twist the chassis into a pretzel, rupture the fuel tanks, and...

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/04/2016 at 17:06

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It would be. And I have everything to do it except the ranger transmission. Which are oddly hard to find.

Nauraushaun > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/04/2016 at 19:02

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Yeah I meant the new 86. It’s marketed as an 86 here and we don’t have the silly Scion version.

I agree. I’d love an SW20 successor. It was the best of bunch, the ZZW30 was a bit muddled and never quite took hold. They’d have to make it practical enough - I hear the ZZW30 didn’t have a boot at all, making it a clear poor choice against the MX-5. But a boot the size of the SW20’s and they could’ve been on a winner.

As you say, it would definitely stand out more than the 86 has. You’re losing the back seats, but the MX-5 does without them too.