the subaru option is an awesome one. light, low, pretty powerful, cheap, plentiful, reliable, etc. etc. etc.
I've done many subaru swaps. just did a '96 impreza 2.2 (OBD II) into an '86 subaru wagon. was very easy. and is much quicker than my OBD I 2.2 wagon. pretty much the only thing the early OBD II systems need is a vehicle speed sensor. I'd highly recommend these, much better torque curve from the OBD II system, and better mileage too. (these are all referred to as the EJ22e)
you have to be careful with the 2.5s. the early DOHC ones ('98 for the impreza RS, and '96-'99 for Legacies, EJ25D) were prone to headgasket issues. they do pretty well as long as you watch that temp gauge like an addict, but as soon as it creeps up just a bit (and it will....), they're done. and the heads warp easily too....
but, if you get a SOHC one from a '99-'01 impreza or '00+ legacy (EJ251), they're quite reliable, and put out something like 160hp. I'd recommend the impreza ones, as the legacy versions have more complicated electronics, that would be much more sensitive to being run in a buggy.
and then, there's the 3.3 6-cyl (engine code EG33). almost identical electronics to the '90-'94 EJ22e (6 coilpacks instead of 2, 6 injectors instead of 4, and one more cam sensor). 235hp. substantially larger/heavier than the 4-cyls, but an awesome motor, awesome torque curve, and with equal-length exhaust, they sound like a ferrari.
for any of these options. I HIGHLY recommend getting your hands on a complete, running donor car. depending one where you are in the world, you can probably find them with non-engine problems (as the engine is usually the last thing to fail!). the SVXs (EG33) were plagued by transmission problems.....and if you're anywhere where rust is an issue......well, yea, you know where I'm going with that.
also, shameless plug  . I can do the wiring for any of these options for relatively cheap. check out my website in my signature.
|
