A race car driver in the US traded his Subaru WRX STI engine for a Ferrari V8.
Sam Albert replaced the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder in his WRX STI with the Ferrari F136’s 4.3-liter V8 – which powers a wide range of cars, including the Alfa Romeo 8C – to Looking for more power and torque for the races.
Reportedly, the WRX is producing “closer to the number of Ferraris reported in stock” – over its lifetime, the engine has produced 445 kW of maximum power and 538 Nm of torque.
The original WRX STI produces 224 kW of power and 408 Nm of torque.
The engine change was not only to shock and amaze, but also to increase power output without being marginalized in the American Racing Association National Championship.
The regulations for Albert’s class state that a car with a naturally aspirated engine under 4.5 liters does not require a power restriction, meaning a 4.3-liter V8 can be let loose. As a side effect, he says that delivering buttery-smooth torque is beneficial at ten-tenths.
Sam has documented the experience on social media including a dyno test, an explainer video, and a recent test run video.
A video posted by DirtFish on Youtube showing the race car entering the track with a beautiful symphony of V8 engines on asphalt and dirt.
