When I was seventeen I "purchased" my first vehicle from my father, a Myers Manx Beach Buggy. It wasn't particularly practical but for a teenager who'd just got his licence it was pretty cool, and it started my interest in owning something different to everyone else on the road.

A few years later I sold it to buy something more practical but it wasn't long before I had that desire to own something different again. So in 1989, at the age of 20, I put a deposit down for a Sabre MK2 at the DRB factory on the Gold Coast. These guys are still around today, albeit making Cobra and GT40 kits now.

The Sabre is a hand laid fibreglass body bonded to a steel spaceframe that is designed to sit on a Type 3 VW floorpan. I took posession of the body towards the end of '89 and spent the next 12 months building the car. Of course having one of only 21 cars at the time wasn't unique enough for me, so the body was customised to incorporate NSX style side scoops and F40 style rear wing, with the help of the guys at the DRB factory. Unfortunately twenty years ago we couldn't just jump on the net to source parts or research things so it was a case of reading magazines, speaking to workshops and using what parts you could find at the local Autobarn or wrecker.

The car was originally fitted with a Nissan A15 motor but it wasn't long before I had the urge for more power so a 13B was inserted in it's place. I really enjoyed the rotary but unfortunately due to a lot of attention at car shows and magazine articles etc, it wasn't long before I received the dreaded defect notice from QLD Transport. This resulted in me having to remove the 13B and substitute it for a 4AGE, which is still in the car to this day.

After many years of enjoyment I began to lose interest in the car and about 7 years ago I "sold" it to my mother for $2000 becasue she didn't want me selling it to anyone else. Whilst she continued to pay the rego on it, she didn't really have the facilities on her property to store the car properly, so today it's a little worse for wear.

Just recently though I'd been reminising about the memories and how much heart and soul I'd put into this car and decided to try and get it back. Fortunately my mother was happy for me to have it back, so a couple of weeks ago I picked it up from her property.

I'd initially had plans to "restore" it to it's former glory but I think it'll be more like a second coming with plans to strip it down and almost start from scratch, including a 4 wheel disc upgrade, a few external mods, a new interior, a paint job and possibly a new motor and/or gearbox if required. I'm not the most technically minded person, but hopefully with a bit of help from the AVD crew I can get it all together.

Here are a few shots from a magazine article nearly 20 years ago, when the 13B was fitted.













And a few photos of it's current state, with Toyota 4AGE motor fitted.









Unfortunately a little field mouse sought temporary accomodation in the drivers seat







It's only been sporadically started over the past 7 years and probably only covered about 200ks, so I wasn't sure how I'd go with the motor. I gave it the once over and apart from a broken engine mount which I reppaired, it looked ok. I chnaged the oil, fuel and checked the plugs, leads and distributor and then cranked it over. Much to my delight it started.

Here's a small video of the engine note:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=hf6defQh22I

At this stage, the biggest decision I probably need to make is what engine and gearbox combination I'll go for. The original approval allowed for a 1600 dohc engine or 2000cc sohc engine. It's been a long time since i looked in engine swaps and modifications, so I'm not sure if curreent regs allow for something different. I'd like something that I can get 180-200hp out of without costing an arm and a leg. As for gearboxes, I would like a to fit a more modern 5 speed gearbox, if it's not to hard to fit and costs aren't prohibitive.

These seem to be my options:

Current 4AGE engine/ VW 4 speed gearbox
EJ20T engine / VW 4 speed gearbox (might need NCOP to be adopted)
EJ20T engine / Subarugears 5 speed gearbox (might need NCOP to be adopted, costs?)

Any other suggestions?

What's the strongest VW box available?

Can one be built to take 200hp without having to sell my mother?

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!

YIKES...

Very nice....


LEE

Bloody hell mate, that's one nice car, I'll be looking for updates.

GO EJ20T ALL THE WAY!!!!

Don't worry donn, there'll be plenty of updates

The EJ20T is the obvious choice but I'm pretty sure I can't get it legally approved in QLD unless the Dept of Transport adopts the NCOP. I've read a few threads about guys using VW boxes with the EJ20T motors, but realistically how long do they last?

Nice car, There was a real nice white one on here a while ago. Loose the rear wing.

180-200hp out of a aircooled motor is going to cost a bomb not to mention a gearbox to hold it together.
Do your homework first.
T54

I think the wings pretty well integrated actually, very 288gto.

Just thinking left of field; how hard would it be to make a rear subframe to hold a transverse engine and gearbox, like a toyata mr2? Would open up all the fwd engine and gearbox combos.

Don't really intend to go with an air cooled motor at this point in time. Logical options are to stick with the 4AGE or stick in an EJ20T but part of the steel subframe does extend down each side of the engine bay, so a subframe extending from one side to the other could possibly work.

I'm going to fit some sort of front splitter to the car to balance out the look of the rear wing.

Hi

I think these were one of the nicest kit cars around, the other kit I liked was a Manta. There is really good swap thread on the samba for mid engine set-up in a Porsche 914 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=425075&highlight=subaru+914 

Love the wing

Steve

Thanks Steve, thanks looks quite interesting. It is possible to remove the "boot" section just in front of the engine bay which would give me some access to a mid engine setup. it wouldn't be great but maybe workable. Wonder what the implications are for legality?

Since you already have a 4A-GE in it, why don't you look at a 4A-GZE motor?

This is the supercharged variant of that motor and I have seen quiet a number of people get really good power out of them by removing the supercharger and throwing a decent turbo on instead.

You could do the same with the Standard 4A-GE, however the 4A-GZE has stronger internals for forced induction...

Yeah either modified, turboed or supercharged 4AGE is the "easy" option in terms on hunting a bit more power, but the downside being the 4 speed VW box and whether one can be built to take the power and what costs are involved in doing so.

4agze and kombi box is a well know offroad combo however ej ej ej ej!

If you want to stick with the Toyota option of engine look for a 2ZZGE. 1.8L with VVTLI (variable valve timing and lift control - Toyota's version of VTEC) They make in stock from 196HP(141KW) and come with a 6 speed box. LSD's are available as are ratios etc etc. A few tweaks of one of these and you can easily have 170HP atw. Lotus use these engines in the elise,exige and supercharge them in the Exige R. They use a Motec ECU and different exhaust system and intake and make about 210-220HP easy as. S/C version makes 240HP and lot more torque. These engines were bought to Australia in the ZZE123 Corolla Sportivo and the Gen 7 Celica ZZT231.

CES Racing in Brisbane did a turbo conversion on a Corolla Sportivo and running 18psi it made 341 HP atw. A friend on mine in Sydney has done the same sort of conversion and making the same power and ran 12.1 @ 128MPH at WSID.

At this stage the only reason I'd stick with the 4AGE, is that it probably offers the best "legal" option (apart from a 20V variant) in that it has to be a maximum of 1600cc DOHC or 2000 SOHC.

If the NCOP gets adopted in QLD and I decide to ditch the 4AGE, it would make more sense to go with the EJ20T and Subarugears 5 Speed box (costs pending)

So, I never thought I'd be writing this, but after 25 years of ownership, I think it's time for it to go.

It's been stored in my garage under a cover since I "rescued" it back in 2011, and hasn't been touched since I went over it and got it running late that year (see video). Went to start it six months later and it didn't fire (suspect fuel pump) and lost motivation. I thought one day I'd get around to restoring it, but just can't see it happening.

It's been continuously registered since I finished building it (25+ yrs) and still has Special Interest rego today. Can be easily switched back to full rego if required. It won't get a roadworthy as is, so will be sold as is, but happy to maintain the rego in my name until it is roadworthy and can be transferred. From memory needs front LH brake caliper rebuild (binding), new tyres (over 10 years old), engine mount and of course non starting issue sorted for RWC (plus probably a heap of other little things).

Bare fibreglass body and subframe cost me $7500 back in the day, so thinking about 9K would buy it. So, if you're interested in a truly one off project, send me a PM.