subaru boxer engines tend to sound very deep and angry. they have a very distinct exhaust note that's definitely love/hate. personally i prefer the SOUND of the sti over that of the evo.

 

no doubt the Sti has one of the best sounding exhaust notes. i always pay close attention to one at idle :P

 

circulating the engine oil in a flat 4 engine is a challenge because of gravity oils the lower component better, which comes naturally in an in-line 4, 6 or V's engines. if the STi has a dry sump lubricating system it would be nice. does it have one? I know the porsche engines have it because of this issue.

 

Pretty sure Subarus still use a "normal" oil system. The other issue with the flat engines is piston slap.

I'm pretty sure that the only real reason Subaru continues to use the engine design is because allows them to avoid using a transfer case and makes it cheaper for them to make AWD cars.

 

here is some more info on thier boxer engines.

http://www.subaru.com/engineering/boxer-engine.html


Otter,
On the transfercase note, is it due to thier flywheel location or the way the engine is sitting inside the engine bay?
thanks

 

Their transmission are pretty genius. Looks like a RWD trans but with axles coming out right behind the bell housing.

 

i think i heard it somewhere that the internals of both transmissions (evo + sti's) are manufactured by the same company.

 

They're able to do it because the engine is entirely in front of the front axle, so they can use a transmission housing that looks like a RWD trans, but with space for a front diff.

Yeah, their output shaft has two outputs, one to drive the driveshaft and the other spins the front diff, really cool design.

 

I love the sound of those boxer engines, they can easily be made to sound every bit as deep and aggressive as a V8.

 

Doubtful considering the STI transmission was supposedly designed and built by Porsche.

 

Nice link.

Also...anyone have any information on why it costs so much more $$$$ to make power out of the Subaru's vs. Evo's?

 

Because you're asking that question on an Evo forum. As AMS and Buschur (among others) have shown, the STI is just as capable as the Evo in realistic terms.

 

where did you hear that? torsen is just a brand of limited slip commonly used. but I doubt if it is porsche design.


http://www.driveperformance.subaru.c.../blueprint.asp

 

I think that most of that just centers around the engine being harder to work on. I imagine some of their parts cost a bit more, too, due to more materials/time needed to make them, like their camshafts and piping solutions.

 

Yes they are un-equal lenght from the factory. Aftermarket manufacturers like perrin make equal-lenght headers which balance out eh exhaust and note.