Scoobyturbobug

whats the best engine to start with to get around 500 bhp with nitrous. Im going to be using a 100bhp shot of nos so looking to get around 400bhp. This doesnt have to be reliable, im using it for drag racing but will get road use as well.
Its going in the back of a Volkswagen Beetle so dont have the power steering and air con pumps which will add abit more.
any help or advice would be appreciated as I just sold my last engine so need to get a new one sorted asap.

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Thanks

Sprint Chief

Now those toys look like FUN! I have considered getting around to putting a scooby lump in my 79 bay window camper, but I spend so much time messing about with the scoob there just seems no time left for other projects...

Probably not the best person to advise you on the engine mechanicals, others here know more than I do! I run a classic scoob with a 2.0 and the bottom ends on these cars are not up to 500bhp - no reason why the block wouldn't be, but you'd need different rods and pistons.

Have you considered one of the new age 2.5 litre lumps? On the strip there's no replacement for displacement (etc.) and general opinion is that they are pretty reliable out to around 450bhp; if you're not looking for ultimate reliability, you might get away with 500bhp (don't take my word for it here!). You can get a brand new short motor for around 1500 notes, perhaps get hold of a donor car with a dead bottom end for the heads and ancillaries?

Scoobyturbobug

thanks for the reply!
I have heard that the heads on the 2.5L engines arnt too good? not sure though. I was also thinking of going for a 2.2L with a Legacy bottom end? Im not sure whats best to do though so need advice off people that have already done it.

Can any one help?

Slowboy Racing

I would think you want the motor reliable regardless of its use, no fun in pulling the motor apart every month….

I am no expert on nos but a 100 shot on a Subaru motor seems alot you also need to considered the amount of boost you are running to get the 400 mark.on top of the nos this would increase cylinder pressure massively
I would think the block would need to be at least cdb even relined with diesel liners or ductile etc.

IMHO you would be best of without nos and go for a good turbo setup giving you 500 and the reliability. Those bugs don’t need much to get in the 10’s or lower just some good stabilizers…..

rosswalker

Why go drag racing with 500bhp?
Or do you enjoy being non competitive?

Scoobyturbobug

Ive already run an 11.17sec 1/4 at 127mph on street treads, s should be good for a mid 10 with slicks. Thing is I want to get in to the 9's so need 500bhp.

Im already running NOS on a reliatively stock 94 jap spec Impreza engine so want to keep it in the car as bottle mounts are all welded in to my roll cage.

ZEN Performance

Hello?

rosswalker

11.17 is so 2001.
Get with it.

rosswalker

If you can run a 9 running 500atf. I will eat my liver with some anchovies!

lightwave693

what you running then rosswalker, 11.17 aint slow....

rosswalker

You are missing the point.
I am not claiming that I am running quick times.
All I am saying is why chase an 11.7 when people were doing it in Subarus 6+ years ago.
Running a 9 with a 400atf car with a 100shot is the kind of cr@p that could only be published on SN.

Sprint Chief

Certainly what you describe can be used as the basis for a very high powered engine - but requires a fair chunk of work, and will probably end up costing more. You'd have breathing room in terms of ultimate power it would support though. The 2.5 litre lump should be a lower cost option, but you'd be right on its limits. (with respect to the heads, the price I mentioned above was for a short motor, so you would source other heads - late classic STi heads are popular)

What gearbox have you been using?

Suggest you talk to Paul @ Zen above, he's probably forgotten more about building high powered scooby engines than I'll ever know ;-) Click on his "view my scooby" link for what he gets up to in his spare time...

MartynJ

Have you thought for a second about the massive weight difference in the 2 vehicles , not to mention the massive grip that you get with the engine sitting right in between the rear wheels..Also dont forget he only has 2 to turn so more power at the wheels..

Turbobug...!
2.0 cdb or 2.2 cdb should be strong enough to help you on your way...To be honest the best person to chat to is Paul @ Zen...Very helpful guy and rarely seems too busy to answer the phone and offer advice...

Scoobyturbobug

Thanks for the help guys, I may give Paul a ring if I need some parts and stuff soon, should be starting to get it built in the next month, by a mate of a mate at Prodrive so should be good!

500bhp should give me a high 9 1/4 mile or at least a very low 10 which is all im after. This is a road car and gets driven to and from the track.
Im running a modified 4 speed Beetle gearbox with Quaife Diff, and like it has been said my car probably wieght half of that of a scooby and only being 2 wheel drive with the engine sitting in the back gives loads of grip. It alteady does 0-60mph in 3 seconds so 500bhp shpuld be enough to scare the crap out of me

Sprint Chief

I thought you might be, always heard bug boxes were bullet proof.

Damn I wish classic scooby gearboxes were as tough as beetle gearboxes


Good luck with it, hope to see the results posted up sometime!

ZEN Performance

I think the goal in question is a good one and readily acheivable. FOr the doubters, I know of some drag cars that run 8s with around 800hp. A Subaru as a drag platform is highly flawed I'm afriad, despite what people think. On a proper prepped drag strip, RWD cars are pulling 1.2 60ft times, and I'm talking about street legal cars. Of course they are using full drag slicks and auto boxes or slipper clutches with manual boxes, and for the most part they are naturally aspirated (including no N20).

If you are building a budget engine that you want to make power using nitrous, I think the way forward is a 2.0 or 2.15 (2.0 stroker). They can both be built on a sensible budget, and using nitrous removes much of the lag issue. I would plump for a 2.15 stroker with moderately sized turbo with good exhaust flow, sti heads and uprated valves (std valvetrain and cams), good aftermarket ECU and a nitrous system using Highpower (Wizards of Nos) hardware and a minimax controller. Couple this with a strong box, nice slippable clutch and drag slicks and you are going to be well away.

I would be looking for sub 10 second drag times on a prepped track, add nitrous to taste...

Scoobyturbobug

so whats the best turbo to use for this engine? I need something to give me at least 400bhp + injectors which ones.
I have to start getting a few parts together now for the build

Think i can get my hands on a closed deck block but may need to get the turbo, fuel injectors, full wiring loom and engine loom and mappable ecu

Any ideas on the best ones to go for?

ZEN Performance

Plenty of ideas.

Scoobyturbobug

lol would you mind sharing your ideas with me all help is very welcome this has to be done right first time

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

Sounds interesting, good luck with it.

As for ideas - Give Paul a ring