Did you know...(subaru boxer)

[corey240]

The engine in the STI aka the "boxer" engine is flat? This sounds retarded but, I did not know that. And I am amazed at 2 things. 1. The idea of it. 2.Ive been looking at thes and loving the car for 6 years and didnt know that. Why? Because I just did not care to look into its performance.

Im reading my friends Automotive Technology college book and I can only wish I read this book when I was like 15. So to you noobs, go to your local college, or check ebay for this Automotive Technology book. It is money well worth spent. I cant wait to go to school next fall! Buisness, EFI 101, Wyotech and opening a shop. ZING!

[IanS]

Ive swapped more flat fours then I can count on one hand, and it still miffs me a little. I wonder if whoever came up with the idea was on some good drugs.

Porsche's use the same engine design.

[93coupe]

I like the idea of it for the center of gravity aspect. I love the sound of them also. But when it comes down to it, it is hard for me to wrap my head around it, especially when I start looking at turbo manifolds for them. My girlfriend has a 2.5rs. Easiest oil change ever.

[snwbrdr435]

But sparkplugs are a biatch.

[Papi Chulo]

It's like those silly things in VW bugs *Kinda, a wee bit*.

Rear mounted? Air cooled? WTF>!?

[PEZi]

everyone learns about the flat 4 at some point... all i can say is i love the noise it makes!

[MinisterofDOOM]

That's what "boxer" means. Boxer isn't the name of the engine, it's a nickname for the layout.

That's where the Porsche Boxster got it's name. It's a roadster with a boxer engine.

[darens13]

i remember the first subie engine i ever saw. it was in auto class in high school, the teacher assigned us all engines to partly take apart, 350 chevy, 318 chrysler, subaru flat 4 and a dohc v8 out of a jag. i however ended up with a 1.9l sohc ford p.o.s.we were all really interested in the subaru engine and marveled in its complexity and overall odd layout.neat idea for sure, but i want to disassemble a rotary!

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Yup.

[The_Chosen_One]

indeed.

[S13Joe]

i remember the first subie engine i ever saw. it was in auto class in high school, the teacher assigned us all engines to partly take apart, 350 chevy, 318 chrysler, subaru flat 4 and a dohc v8 out of a jag. i however ended up with a 1.9l sohc ford p.o.s.we were all really interested in the subaru engine and marveled in its complexity and overall odd layout.neat idea for sure, but i want to disassemble a rotary!

f*** disassembling a rotary! I want to but a T2 in a S chassis so bad... My friend at 17 completely rebuilt and street ported a 12a for a 1st gen RX-7. I went through some if it with him as well. I would rather rebuild a rotary engine than anything else hands f***ing down, not that its easier (which in my eyes it may be) but because it looks like a great time.

[Zydeco]

Part of the subie engine noise is do to it having unequal length headers.

[hsckris]

Part of the subie engine noise is do to it having unequal length headers.

IIRC newer Subura's now have equal length.

To the op:

[HashiriyaS14]

That's what "boxer" means. Boxer isn't the name of the engine, it's a nickname for the layout.

That's where the Porsche Boxster got it's name. It's a roadster with a boxer engine.

+1

[skydragoness]

Did you just find this out about Subarus? They've been mentioning their engine layout in their commercials for years and years.

But sparkplugs are a biatch.

Not really. I have plenty of room to work on my 2.2 ...valve covers are more annoying.

sTm[-HeavyHips]Part of the subie engine noise is do to it having unequal length headers.

Going to order some Borla headers+Stromung catback from Boxer4Racing today!

[s13gebala]

subarus make some orgasmic sounds with a nice exhaust..

my friend that owns one actually does the sound perfectly with his voice.

[touge_951]

thats why they sound soooo sick!buuuuuuRTHRTHRTHRTHRTH PPSSSHHHHH!

[touge_951]

neat idea for sure, but i want to disassemble a rotary!

ive dissasemblesd a 13b before, very fun and interesting.

[Zydeco]

Did you just find this out about Subarus? They've been mentioning their engine layout in their commercials for years and years.

Not really. I have plenty of room to work on my 2.2 ...valve covers are more annoying.

Going to order some Borla headers+Stromung catback from Boxer4Racing today!

unequal length? ether way its going to sound good.

subarus make some orgasmic sounds with a nice exhaust..

my friend that owns one actually does the sound perfectly with his voice.

Its kind of just happens. I find my self doing it too.

[bmike818]

my first car in HS was a Subrau Legacy, when people would start showing of their car's the only thing can show for is "look at my engine"

I do like the sound of my VQ better than the boxer's

[RCA]

The engine in the STI aka the "boxer" engine is flat? This sounds retarded but, I did not know that. And I am amazed at 2 things. 1. The idea of it.

Well if you understand the diffrent angles of an engine you could pretty much assume eventually some one would go flat.

Also tons more info hereFuel and Engine Bible

[corey240]

Yea I felt dumb posting that but im shore there are people reading that and thinking, "damn I didnt know that". I think everyone loves the sound of a subaru, and a rotary. I am very compelled to tear down and rebuild a rotary engine, and now a boxer engine. My friend does evo and subaru work out the a** so im gonna tell him I want my hands in the next engine he touches.

I see how its more efficient and would prduce good power, so I also thought, "why dont they just perfect this design to the fullest and use it in all cars?" I also thought, a rotary is simple, would be cheaper to construct (less parts), and would make great power numbers. It just needs some serious refining and it would be the perfect engine to have in anything.

I pondered the idea of a 13b in an s14 but I really want an fd so I will pass that option up for a whil. I will get a blown rotary off craigslist and tear it apart this summer, they go for anywhere between free-300. I think it would be well worth the hands on and mental experience to take somthing like that apart, and make it run again if you could. I cannot get over how much I like engines. I just realized last night I am excited to take the head off my sr which is the totally opposite of what ive beent hinking since I thought my valve seals are wearing.

Ive rebuilt 2 sr's and still dred taking the head off whil the engine is in the car again, such a pita. Thanks to my taka lines I dont mind taking my turbo off anymore though. Thos save alot of time.

[They Call Me Whatshisname]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...lated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNJnOwBlx6Y

Guess which one's the scooby!

[r34 gtr]

Guess which one's the scooby!

The one that says "...my 06 WRX" would be my guess.

[93coupe]

Maybe a stupid question, but...Is there any noticeable wear on the "bottom" side of the piston in these flat engines? By "bottom" side I mean the side facing the ground.

[RCA]

Maybe a stupid question, but...Is there any noticeable wear on the "bottom" side of the piston in these flat engines? By "bottom" side I mean the side facing the ground.

Hmm interesting question. I can assume that there isnt any diffrence in wear but I would like to know the reason why it doesn't wear unevenly

[The_Chosen_One]

probably from the oil creating a layer that piston glides on.

[93coupe]

That was the only thing I could think of. I still think that one side of the piston and one side of the cylinder wall would still wear faster even with that layer of oil.

[Red coupe]

Hmm interesting question. I can assume that there isnt any diffrence in wear but I would like to know the reason why it doesn't wear unevenly

If you picture the engine half way through its compression stroke The rod is angled from having the small end near the center of the bore and the big end on the crank journal off to the side. Since the force on the top of the piston is not pushing directly through the connecting rod to its axis it creates some torque about the crank journal and "stuffs" the piston into one side of the cylinder. The very very small weight of the piston is nothing compared to this thrust force, so its not like on an inline engine the piston was floating in the center of the bore anyways.

However it rides on one side for the compression stroke, and flops to the other for the power stroke (the connecting rod is angled one way on one, and the opposite on the other). Since the force on the piston is way way more on the power stroke then on the compression stroke it DOES wear more on one side then the other anyway, on any reciprocating IC engine. Its called the major thrust surface of the cylinder bore.

[skydragoness]

sTm[-HeavyHips]

unequal length? ether way its going to sound good..

Yep. The Borlas are unequal length.. I think the OBX are equal length and make Subaru's sound like Hondas. Bleh.Got a dual-tip Stromung cat-back to top it off. Dale at Boxer4Racing is the man! We talked about Subies for a while on the phone