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Big Block Talk! Everything about swapping a big block engine into your cart!



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Old 04-28-2015, 11:11 AM   #1
RibbedGiraffe
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Default Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

Hello again all, Hope I'm placing this in the proper area. I apologize If I missed a thread on the same subject - I did Search.

I recently purchased a 2007 ST Sport II - I was under the impression it had a bad ring as the previous owner said it did not have compression in one cylinder. After finally starting on the project I discovered it has a broken rod - Not bad rings (I was pretty Disappointed).

I've been reading through the threads about swaps and would like a little more input before I order a clone.

I haven't tore into the motor as of today - But I know at minimum it has a broken Rod (I assume there will be other issues once I get into it) The rebuild Kits for these are EXPENSIVE and the motors seem underpowered.

From the threads I've read, people seem to be happy with the clones - Power - reliability and the swap seems straight forward - (Maybe that's just me, I've been building all sorts of stuff for as long as I remember) I have every tool needed to effectively do the swap and custom build any parts.

So - My question after all this rambling.
After You've done the swaps - Which would you suggest I do for overall performance and cost effectiveness? Rebuild the 350 or Swap in a 420cc Clone?

The final intent of this thing is a 6" lift, 24" tires..
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Old 04-28-2015, 10:01 PM   #2
slonomo
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Default Re: Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

If you want more power, go with the clone. It will likely be twice the power of the 350 subaru. A clone swap cost will depend upon which clone, what clutch, if you fab mount or buy one, etc. Some guys claim they have done a clone swap for $300, mine cost $700 fully built, not including a clutch.

If you want reliability, smoothness, and quietness....rebuild the subaru.
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Old 04-29-2015, 12:08 AM   #3
RibbedGiraffe
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Default Re: Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

Sounds like a clone is the way to go... From the research I've done, the Subaru will be that or more to rebuild..
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Old 04-29-2015, 06:40 AM   #4
nobuckbuild
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Default Re: Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

I would rebuild that 350 a broken rod is no big deal in those engines , you could easily replace that rod and do a gasket set and only have 75 for the gaskets , 59 for the rod , and 35 for a set of rings and always figure a few buck misc stuff , the crank will clean up with some emory cloth and you have a nice clean stock setup for little money and a cart that is worth a good deal of money , the problem you can run into with a clone is the value of the cart you have a 2007 cart with a rebuilt stock engine and clean its worth 2500 to just about everyone , take that same cart and put a clone in and you lose over half of the people that would consider it. now normally i would be telling you to go big block and bypass the clone but this is more of a financial decision than a fabrication toy unless its totally ragged out cart that you have to do a ground up build and then i would still say go v twin since the cost would be worth it then. get us some pictures of it posted up

slo can you believe im telling someone this?
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Old 04-29-2015, 11:59 AM   #5
RibbedGiraffe
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Default Re: Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

Its going to be a campsite toy (Literally to travel between my motorhome to the boat dock or my parents trailer) - with zero intent to resale. I'm not concerned about resale at all.
Sorry if I made it sound like it's a financial decision. I'm cheap - not financially strapped- So everything sounds like that I suppose. I was looking at complete rebuild kits that were in excess of 500 bucks and I would have the block machined on top of that.

I would go V-twin - But - They are hard to come by around here. Unless I convert a vertical shaft motor - but that just adds to having potential reliability issues and I'm assuming my mother will be driving it on occasion - and that scares the h*ll out of me.

As it is now, I've ordered a set of 24's for it - so I could use the torque of a big single or twin.

I LOVE to Fab stuff, (I consider myself a tool hoarder I have everything needed to fab Anything I might need (I even dabble in home Aluminum casting).

Just don't know if I would be happy with 11hp Subaru - and almost 0 aftermarket and weak rods.


SO - on that note, knowing it isn't financial, I'm not concerned about resale, and having the ability to fab stuff Would you go with a clone?
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Old 04-29-2015, 12:14 PM   #6
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Default Re: Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

Here is a pic of it - From the day I picked it up from the previous owner - Yes I have the dump bed.
I'm having the seats recovered - and painting it Gunmetal Gray with a silver metal flake in the clear.

24" Bear claws on order - then Ill fab the lift once I determine how much clearance I need.

Thoughts on moving the front axle forward an inch?
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Old 04-29-2015, 12:48 PM   #7
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Default Re: Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

I have a VC clone and love it.Put 24's on last weekend . It pulls 5000 rpms easily, according to the speed calculator on this site that is 32+ mph.It seemed scary fast at that.You could just buy VC motor plate and S/G bracket to make it easy if you are going to use a HF or big box clone. Your main issue there would be how you manage the clutch. I did use their whole kit and did it in a weekend. But there are plenty of members who did it with a lot of fab work.Despite what the vannie crowd may say it is a BIG increase in SPEED and POWER.
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Old 04-29-2015, 03:43 PM   #8
nobuckbuild
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Default Re: Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

the reason i would say to rebuild is because they are reliable , now that i have seen the cart and what you plan to do with it i would still say rebuild , your not looking to go offroading just putting around, then stock engine with some minor mods will work just fine and the noise level is not an issue , the problem you run into with clones or twins it the sound levels that are much more than what you will want to deal with at camp. don't get me wrong i like my v twin and clone carts and i tend to not even bother with stock carts but i live in the mountains and i need to climb hills and just don't care about the noise. the 500 plus machining is just for people who dont know any better , you almost never need a crank and all those parts, and the rings wear not the cylinders , what i listed before would be all i would put into the cart and know that i have at least 10 years of hard use before i would have to get back into it if i ever did.
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Old 04-29-2015, 04:33 PM   #9
raydhd
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Default Re: Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

I do think it would be hard to do a clone swap for the cost of a rebuild if your block is not damaged. Points I disagree with are 1) I use my clone in a residential setting and it is quiet was the exhaust system that I settled on. 2) With 24 inch tires I really wonder if a slightly reworked stocker is going to be what this owner is going to be happy with.
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Old 04-29-2015, 05:24 PM   #10
RibbedGiraffe
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Default Re: Subaru 350 Rebuild VS Clone Swap

ok, So here is my new question. What all would I need for the cloan swap?
Correct me if I'm wrong but this is what I THINK I need.
Cloan Engine - 300-400 bucks (HF 309.00)
Tapered adapter bushing from clutch to 1" shaft (Ill turn this on my lathe - free)
Engine mounting plate - (Ill make this - free)
Misc Wiring?
Exhaust system?
Misc Bolts.
4 or 6" lift (Ill also be building this)

VS
a complete rebuild for the 350 (I've never been one to just slap a motor back together with used parts, I don't feel right about it)
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