Subaru WRX TDI

Time for a VNT-17, nozzles, and a tune. 

Welding and painting engine mounts and engine crossmember.

I always hoard the little scraps from the plasma table, you never know when they'll be the perfect part for something else.

In reply to 10001110101 :

It's really too bad that the VNT17 is ten times more expensive than a replacement cartridge :(

Hey, not trying to steal your thread but I just wanted to noticed you said you had to figure out the starter situation and I wanted to share what you may need to do for a starter/ flywheel setup. I ordered valeo clutch/flywheel kit 52285615, and starter napa number 244-8520 after Subarugears got back to me, I had issues with the starter not fitting the adapter plate, but after this little modification it fits fine. Starter has coarse threads and the adapter plate uses fine threads, so you may need to drill out the starter threads and run a bolt through it if yours has the same issue. 

Great looking mounts/crossmember

In reply to AKsubi :

Great info, better than the "uh IDK, you need a RWD Vanagon TDI starter, I don't know what year" vague BS I got from SubaruGears myself. Annoyingly, means that the flywheel and pressure plate I already bought won't work :(

In reply to newrider3 :

I wasted a decent amount of money due to the same issue, hoping more people interested in doing this swap see this thread before buying parts. Have you figured out the pilot bushing size yet? If not I have dimensions for it as well.

Yeah the word that popped into my head after seeing that crossmember was "elegant", really nice work. Did you design it on computer first, or was that just made up as you went?

In reply to AKsubi :

Dimensions would be great! I have a oillite bushing I plan to adapt, just haven't confirmed measurements on my parts yet.

Run_Away said:

Yeah the word that popped into my head after seeing that crossmember was "elegant", really nice work. Did you design it on computer first, or was that just made up as you went?

That was mostly built to suit, but I did CAD model and CNC plasma cut several of the pieces. You can see an example of my process on Page 3 of this thread: I tend to make a cardboard template to fit; then scan it, trace it in Solidworks, send the .dxf to SheetCam and finally cut parts on the CNC plasma.

Great progress! I'm glad to see that this project isn't stalled out. 

In reply to newrider3 :

21.14mm OD, 12mm ID, 10mm deep is what I used for the pilot bushing

How is it going with the build? i am planing of doing the same in my Impreza and maby need som advise =)

Not the update anyone wants to see, but this car is going to be for sale. Moving and downsizing due to a divorce, and I just don't see dragging it along to probably still not get worked on.

It still needs the correct flywheel and starter (as documented by the wonderful advice above) as well as wiring, plumbing, interior cleaning and reassembly, intake and exhaust, likely an ECU tune with immobilizer delete.

Look for a for-sale post coming soon. Price at one Challenge budget or thereabouts?

Interested! I'm in Ouray (SW Colorado) and have been following the build. I owned a few TDI's and Subaru's over the years and love the mashup. Let me know if you're serious about selling!

In reply to WillG80 :

Sent you a message, check your email spam folder (seems like GRM messages always get flagged).

Message sent. Very interested in this project!

WillG80 picked up the WRX TDI a couple weeks ago, stay tuned here for progress updates from him!