Race in a Ferarri-Powered Subaru WRX STI

The Best Engine Swap: Fact or Fiction?

CarBuzz recently reported on Dirtfish rally school instructor Sam Albert’s ambitious venture to bestow a Ferrari V8 engine into his Subaru WRX STI. Now Albert has made available a video of the magnificent speedster rocketing about in action. Amp up your stereo for full sound reward since the X-pipe side release exhaust set-up produces an amazing sound!

The video is a comprehensive review, including testing conducted on a dyno. The auto motors around the Dirtfish complex with cameras and microphones to deliver an immersive experience from each view point. Our preferred perspective is provided by the overhead mounted camera that delivers an unobstructed oversight. It is incredible to observe the 4.3-liter F136 Ferrari-Maserati engine thrusting up through the hood. This motor power was available as three separate variants, employed in the F430 and F430 Scuderia, the 458 Italia, and the magnificent 458 Speciale.

This distinctive device is the 262 cubic-inch variation employed in the Ferrari California.

Swapping a Ferrari Engine into a Subaru Rally Car | F136 Build Series Ep4 - Shakedown

In spite of having a larger engine, Albert managed to preserve the ever-popular all-wheel-drive layout of the Subaru WRX STI. Furthermore, he preserved a 50:50 weight distribution – an exceptional engineering accomplishment.

He also commented that the new cooling system is proving reliable, And remarked on the car’s performance and handling which has essentially remained the same since the engine swap but with an increased torque output and responsiveness. Nevertheless, he is considering to adjust the final drive ratio from 3.9 to 5.44, although he would like to test it out in a racing environment before settling for a verdict.

He usually keeps the Subaru Driver’s Control Centre Differential firmly secured, however he mentions that he hadn’t activated it on this compact, restricted course.

Albert developed the car to take part in American Rally Association (ARA) exercises, yet needs some limitations to arrive. He shifted his focus realising a naturally-aspirated motor had fewer regulations. Such machines are not restricted to four cylinders, with a 4.5 litre threshold for displacement. Without checking, this particular Ferrari engine dispatches 483 horsepower and delivers 372 pound-feet of torque.

He intends to have the engine-altered WRX STI put on its first competition at the Olympus Rally in Washington this April.

This has to rank as one of the most eccentric engine transplants we have come across in a while, but the E30 BMW 3 Series featuring the V10 engine from an E60 BMW M5 surely rivals it with regards to its outrageousness.