What does a Subaru Legacy and a 1990 Polaris 650 have in common?
They used some of the same fuel injection components. The 650 Polaris rXL was the first mass produced fuel-injected snowmobile. Fuji Industries, of course, makes both snowmobile engines and Subaru automobiles. According to a company news release, the RXL "is recommended for experienced riders".
From what I can tell a great majotiy of polaris items use subaru engines.
I just saw an ad today in an aviation newspaper selling Subaru engines for airplanes. And I've seen websites talking about the same thing. Mmmm... that would be the ultimate: a Subaru powered airplane.... Mmm.... I smell a weekend toy when I end up with a major airline.
"That shouldn't be a problem, since I do regularly visit the realm of subatmospheric manifold pressures." -- vrg3
From what I understand, the EA series of engines were originally developed as airplane engines.
My local Subaru mechanic (Mark Mann, if anyone's anywhere near Trumansburg, NY, is "The Subaru Mann") is also an amateur pilot and he sometimes builds planes (he's actually looking for a Phase II EJ25 to use in his new plane)... He told me about the first time he heard a Subaru-powered plane. He could tell by the sound that it was a Subaru engine. "It's like a Subaru -- but in the air!"
the phase II EJ25 has seen many-a-plane. a lot of them have 1 PSI superchargers on them to make up for power losses due to altitude. it's a neat little unit that replaces the untire intake manifold, TB, and intake plumbing.
IggDawg is cool.
-IggDawg
1994 Barcelona Red SVX LSi.
1990 CRX Si (for sale)
I had an rxl for a few months when they first came out. worst snowmobile I ever owned. heavy as a pig and not very quick when it did run. It caught on fire several times.
Yeah the old Polaris's used Fuji engines. They stopped during the mid 90's. Now they make their own engines. As for aircraft, subaru is a name associated with homebuilders and kitplanes. The reason why they are so popular is because they are the only readily available flat motor just like all the certified aircraft engines. Well, except for porsche and ferrari. But most homebuilders can't afford those engines. Not to mention bullet-proof Subaru reliability. When I do build a kitplane, unless I have money to spare on a certified engine (Lycoming, Continental, Walter), you can bet I'll be flying behind a Subaru.
Mark,
1991 Turbo Sedan, Aspen White 5MT, Sold RIP
1994 Turbo Sedan, Crimson Pearl 5MT, from British Columbia-no rust!
The only thing I don't like about a Subaru vs an actual aircraft engine is the ignition system (lack of magnetos specifically). Something about being dependant on an electrical system scares me (maybe its because of the electrical problem I had my car?). But yeah, other than that, I wouldn't want to be behind anything else in a homebuilt now that I've seen how reliable these engines are.
"That shouldn't be a problem, since I do regularly visit the realm of subatmospheric manifold pressures." -- vrg3
Ive seen many sites dedicated to converting VW vehicles to subaru engines. It seems that a subaru flat engine of similar size is always more powerful than the equivelent VW engine.
Yeah, those Subaru-powered VWs are way cool. The guys at Small Car (the same people who put 5-speeds into SVXs) do the conversions. http://www.smallcar.com/
The pictures of the EG33 in the Vanagon's engine bay look way cool.
I think they just use any transmission originally meant for an EJ22 or EJ25, whenever they can find a donor car. As long as you recognize that you're using an EJ22 or EJ25 transmission with an EG33, and drive accordingly, it does the job.
Mmmm... that would be the ultimate: a Subaru powered airplane.... Mmm.... I smell a weekend toy when I end up with a major airline. 
