--- title: "This Ferrari V8-Powered Subaru WRX STI Rally Car Absolutely Howls" description: "A Ferrari V8 in a proven Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car is a match made in heaven, and it sounds like a chorus of angels too." date: "2023-02-23" modified: "2023-02-23" authors: - name: "James Gilboy" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-ferrari-v8-powered-subaru-wrx-sti-rally-car-absolutely-howls" categories: - "Ferrari News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Subaru News" tags: - "race car" - "sedan" - "Subaru" --- # This Ferrari V8-Powered Subaru WRX STI Rally Car Absolutely Howls ![Ferrari California V8-swapped 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI]() *\via Sam Albert\* One of the weakest links in [Subarus]() are their flat-four boxer engines. They're hard to work on, [not that reliable](), and don't have the performance potential to justify their low center of gravity to everyone. But rather than swap one for a played-out [Honda K-series](), one 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car driver is opting for a far more exotic swap: a Ferrari California's flat-plane-crank V8. The Prancing Horse-powered [STI]() is being built by American rally driver and [Dirtfish]() instructor [Sam Albert](), who tells me he originally bought the 2004 STI new as a road car. He turned it into a rally car in 2010, embarking on a racing career that took him to a North American Rally Cup win in 2018 (though in a different car). ![]() ![]() After more than a decade in the sport, Albert was ready "to try something different" from his tried-and-true 2.5-liter turbo EJ25 flat-four engine. While reading the regulations for the American Rally Association's Open 4WD class, he noted that naturally aspirated engines had a displacement limit of 4.5 liters. Some quick research showed the most powerful NA engine of this size to be the F136 V8 used in the [Ferrari 458](), where it makes 562 horsepower. It was far beyond Albert's budget, but the F136 is a big family of engines with more affordable options, including [cross-plane versions used in Maseratis]() and—more promisingly—the flat-plane 4.3-liter from the California. Making 483 horsepower and 372 pound-feet of torque, it offered more power, a broader peak, and more drivability than the turbo 2.5-liter it was to replace, making the torque sacrifice worthwhile. "Ultimately I think it will be more enjoyable to drive, have a slight performance improvement if I did my math right, and sound amazing in the forest," Albert told me. "There was also a little bit of inspiration from Andy Burton and his Peugeot Cosworth that was ultimately banned from competition after he did so well with it." https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5g9xLDtkx/ Albert says he did the swap almost entirely on his own, including designing the custom flywheel and adapter plate to mate it to his car's six-speed sequential manual. Best of all, the V8 apparently improves the weight distribution by about 1% over the stock engine. Combined with some suspension geometry tweaks, Albert hopes for the best for the car's competitive debut at Washington's Olympus Rally in April. But whether the [Ferrari]() STI is a winner or not, it'll probably be the best-sounding car at one of the most spectacular rallies on earth. Besides, the chance to wind it out through the forests of the Pacific Northwest will be a victory in its own right. https://www.instagram.com/p/CpB0tL3DhOX/ *Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com* ## Author James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids." ### Author social links [Instagram]()