As some of you know I sold my 08 sti I had purchased not too long ago for a modded porsche cayman s. While I definitely don't regret that decision, I really miss the community and just having a project subie!

So...I was thinking about picking up an L or a 2.5rs and starting on a project to swap an sti engine and drivetrain into one and making a really cool daily driver / beast of a track car . What do you guys think? Could I do something cooler for the amount of money I would be putting into this? I might have found a wrecked 2008 sti that I would be able to purchase...which would give me just about all of the parts I would need, excluding the actual rs to swap it into...I think I would also learn a ton just by going through the experience. Decisions decisions!

Assuming that this wrecked 08 sti thing doesn't go through, where can I expect to find a wrecked sti? Should I just start checking the yards? I was looking for a 04-05 sti, but then I found this one -- waiting to hear back from the owner. I am assuming that while the chassy is way different, the engine and drivetrain should fit as they weren't really changed? I figure minimum I should get the diff's, the block and heads, all pumps etc, brakes, clutch and trans...I'll have to double check on fitment of course.

I might actually prefer an 04-05 sti's components anyway...


Btw wtf...charlies angle and MJ in one day?

 

most important and most labor intensive part of the job from what I've heard is the wiring harness.

There is a good reason the few people who specialize in this sort of project get away with charging pretty big bucks- it is by no means a trivial task.

I'd guess for the money you will spend on donor car and parts alone you could probably buy a decent shape used WRX, and for the extra money you will likely pay for someone else to pick up the mess and finish it off for you- you probably could have bought a decent used STI.

You definitely should talk to a few people who have done it successfully before embarking on a project like that...

 

do 05 swap. I think it will be a rewarding project. and you know you'll always be able to sell it

can you tell us about the cayman s please, in terms of driving experience

 

Yeah I know of one such car available for 9 grand.

A little less than half of what he has put into it according to the seller...

 

It's a blast! Handles great, has the perfect exotic sports car sound. Its mid engine rwd so it was quite a difference compared to the wrx or sti, but I like it. I can feel everything that goes on when I'm driving it hard...its hard to describe, just different. Its on KW V3's w/ sway bars, has a remus exhaust w/ an intake and an ecu reflash. Its also rolling on RE-11's right now -- just got them maybe 1,000 miles ago, great tires.

 

Where? Just curious.

 

i want to sell my RS. dont know when but i do!

 

maybe this is just my thinking, but if i know im goin to swap a motor/drivetrain/suspension, id just go for a shell and build it all up...no need to buy a car with parts you arent gonna use at all

and nasioc got threads for days about this stuff, or call lic motorsports they do a lot of 6spd swaps so they'll know whats needed

 

any pics of the cayman s?

 

Give Adam a call at LIC Motorsports in Novato, he's done dozens of these swaps and will give you some good advice about where to start.

 

mmm i got a buddy with L chassis for sale =]

 

you got pix of that caymen?

 

You can drive my modded STi if you'll let me drive your Cayman? Deal?

Go to the Highway 1 cruise that's in the meet section

 

Tempting . Mods? lol

 

I know where your RS has been -.- lol.