Subaru Powered Midget
 

Hey everyone I seen you guys were interested in the Subaru midget well I spent the last 5 years and 50K developing and researching how to build it. Now we are racing it in California with BCRA and hopefully usac. Car is fast and pulling the wheels off the ground. Open to all questions

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Sounds Exciting, How about some photos? Specs? Cost? Chassis Dyno numbers? Expected time between rebuilds?

Which Subaru engine did base it off of? Get us some details

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Yeah it’s a STI 2.5 running single overhead cams which were a pain in the butt to dial in had to make cam adjusters for the pulleys. But running electronic injectors and a mechanical fuel pump. Had fuel issues on the dyno so not too sure what we are making now. But it sounds amazing and it has really good response. We will be running with western USAC in Merced April 20th. It’s cost well over 30k to build this engine we are on now we blew up the last one. Took over 5 years to fabricate everything and actually get a driving car. Anyone can do it tho I mean I’m 19 years old and had help from just my dad and his friend while I basically paid for most of it. Criollo rods, cosworth pistons, ferra valves, and definitely over 50k in fabrication of you don’t have CNC machines lol. If you guys want to see pictures just text me 1-530-903-1291

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

30k or 50k?

What kind of work did you do at 14yrs old to pay for this???

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

“ I spent the last 5 years and 50K developing and researching how to build it.”

One question; Why?

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

It was about 30k to build the engine and it has about 50k in fabrication if you put a price on it. But my dad has a couple CNC machines and I’m really lucky to have someone like him basically helped me do it all for free minus the material cost. And yes I did make really good money as a kid growing up I bought my first car at 12 and I have owned over 1000 cars to afford my racing project and living cost. At 14 I started calling people on Craigslist and having them driving out to me to sell there cars now I’m paying with multiple auctions selling 2-3 cars a week.

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Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Good for you....I was also buying and selling cars at 14!! Hope your story is full of success!

Tom Hooker was using a Subaru engine back in the 90’s. Is electronic injection USAC legal ?

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Some guy I think his last name was Black had a Subaru, maybe Jimmy Kite drove it a time or two, maybe Eric Gordon, and maybe I am so old I am just making things up in my head?:41::

Because its easy to just be like everyone else but I want to be different and I want to change the game. The blood sweat and tears are worth it every time someone comes up to the car.

Not sure how legal it’s going to be yet with usac. But we are racing with our local midget group BCRA and they don’t have one issue with it. But I will spend every last dollar to make it out to chili bowl this year that’s a given

You are correct. Tom Hooker built the engines for it. Eric did drive it a few times.

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Didn't Jerry Covington have a Subaru in one of his midgets, boy that was a few years back! I'm like the other guy, I don't really remember, just wish I did! Bob

Seems like maybe there was a Subaru entry at the rca dome races when I was very young. Kudos to the builder on this project. EFI is legal In USAC some of the Esslingers and Toyotas use it.

Dennis Miller from Galveston, In. who was a machinist at Delco. Built a Subaru engine
and ran it in a USAC midget for a few
years off and on. He really enjoyed
it and was pretty proud. I think this was
over 25 years ago.

Lynn

Lynn you're correct, Denny did build one and run it. Denny passed years ago and I'm not sure what ever became of his stuff. He was very crafty and also built some cars and manufactured racecar parts.

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

HoF Legend Kevin Olson drove part of the 1990 USAC season with a Subaru for John Black (KO's book "Cages are for Monkeys" sez they had a Cosworth installed later in the season). - pg 137....I haven't read the whole book, but just looked up this part. lol

Chili Bowl was 3 months ago. Might be better off with next years. Don’t forget a truck, trailer, car, parts, etc. I’m not your Dad, but you’re spending every dollar you have to go out to a race that won’t cover 5% of your cost, even if you win the whole thing. I’m all about your hustle, but if someone wants 1 of your motors, they want it soon, not in 2-3-4-5 years. You’re in a big money pit right now, I hope you understand this. 1,000 cars, eh? You have a dealer’s license?

Really hero the chili bowl was 3 months ago?? You’re a genius! I think he was talking about next year and I’m pretty sure he wasn’t planning on providing all entries a motor, don’t be an Richard!!!

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Tom Hooker had one in a midget in 1990 the SOHC engine

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Tom Hooker owned and built the Engine

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

no

It was a horizontally opposed engine according to the hero card .

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Kid was entered for the Western Midget show tonight at Merced. Even mentioned his Subaru development engine on Flo. Unfortunately didn’t make hot laps or heat race. Have to say I was skeptical at the beginning. Best of luck with your future endeavors.

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

My first thought on a N/A Suby is , while U can turn the snot out of em, HP is limited on a N/A application due to crappy cylinder head flow , now you turbo them & they get pretty mean in the rally cars !!! IIRC Cosworth had some pretty stout turbo rally car Suby engines back in the day !!!

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Can you even run a Suby or VW in USAC anymore? this is what i see listed on the Midget engine rules for 2019

DIRTMIDGETSERIES. EngineSizeLimitsAllDivisions/RPMLimitsforNationalMidgetEventsA.PushrodTypeEngin es1.Fourcylinderin-line,twovalvespercylinder,watercooled,withintakean dexhaustportsonthesamesideoftheheadusinganaluminum blockandapprovednon-crossflowaluminum“Fontana”cylinderhead.Maximumof17 4CID(2852cc)MaximumRPM88002.Fontana(Rhino)sealedsp ecengineMaximumof200CID(3278cc)MaximumRPM(factorys etandsealed)78003.Fourcylinderin-line,twovalvespercylinder,watercooled,utilizingana luminumblockand/orhead.Maximum166CID(2721cc)MaximumRPM8700B.

SingleOverheadCamshaftTypeEngines1.Fourcylinderinl ine,aluminumblockandhead,2valvespercylinder.Maximu m161CID(2639cc)MaximumRPM10300(Esslinger)MaximumRP M9800(EsslingerBB7)MaximumRPM9800(MOPAR–SR-11)2.EsslingerESTsealedspecengineMaximum161CID(263 9cc)engine.MaximumRPM(factorysetandsealed)9400C.

DoubleOverheadCamshaftTypeEngines1.HondaK-Seriesfourcylinderin-line,water-cooled,fourvalvespercylinder,mustuseHondaOEMcylind erblockandcylinderhead.Maximum154.6CID(2533.5cc)Ma ximumRPM9400

Sir, I understand that Saturday was a disappointment for not only people excited to see the engine run but for me as well. We are currently going through the engines fuel system extensively as Fuel regulator failed giving us only 20psi! I did want to let you know that I was apart of the hot laps and that was where I encountered my fuel issues. The main problem we are running into is some set-up issues where the car is biting hard on the right rear and wanting to pull the front end up.. not sure why

Re: Subaru Powered Midget
 

Hang in there! Innovation is a good thing, can't succeed if you don't try! :23: