This Subaru WRX-Powered Ferrari Dino Is Alternative Engine Swap Gold

Although it might be sacrilege to purists, this Dino has been fitted with the charismatic flat-four from a Subaru WRX – and we love it

Some engine swaps are more common than others. We’ve seen LS V8s dropped into just about everything. We’ve even seen Subaru WRX engines rehomed a few times, but never into a Ferrari.

This Dino 308GT4 has been upgraded with a 280bhp JDM Subaru WRX engine; the turbocharged flat-four fitting nicely into the Dino’s mid-engine layout. It’s connected to a Subaru five-speed manual gearbox with an adapter that allows it to connect to the Ferrari axles.

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Everything else has been left standard so it can be converted back to an original-spec engine at a later date if someone wants to do that. As it stands, though, power is up by about 50bhp, which could end up testing the standard old-school brakes to their limits.

While the engine and drivetrain have been sorted, this is still a mid-season project. The window motors are slow, the tyres need replacing, the speedometer sending unit hasn’t been calibrated to the new gearbox so the speedo doesn’t work, it needs some floor mats and the emergency brake (the handbrake?) isn’t connected.

This Subaru WRX-Powered Ferrari Dino Is Alternative Engine Swap Gold

Still, it’s a pretty unique prospect. The Dino isn’t exactly a gem among Ferraris, with some enthusiasts refusing to call it a Ferrari at all, but to combine this retro Italian shape with the wub-wub-wub of a blown Subaru Boxer four is, we think, pretty awesome.

The price on Craigslist is listed at $29,500. The seller claims that restored examples are nudging six figures, but without the original engine this is probably fair value. Go on, be different.

Source: Craigslist via Twitter/Engine Swap Depot

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Comments

Ali Mahfooz

Wouldn’t that make it a one-off Dino 308GT4 Berlinetta Boxer? 🤔 No? Okay…

11/16/2018 - 11:49 |
72 | 0
Anonymous

I’m so confused

11/16/2018 - 12:11 |
40 | 0
Gabriel 7

Finally an Old Ferrari with a reliable engine

11/16/2018 - 12:35 |
24 | 4

“Reliable”

11/16/2018 - 17:19 |
28 | 0
AC2 - The Now 14 Year Old CTzen

In reply to by Gabriel 7

fInAlLy aN OlD FeRrArI WiTh a rElIaBlE EnGiNe

11/19/2018 - 04:36 |
2 | 0
Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

The emergency brake is the handbrake ;)

11/16/2018 - 13:50 |
6 | 0
Slyline guy 09

V A P E

11/16/2018 - 14:00 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Why not EZ30?

11/16/2018 - 14:14 |
0 | 0
K.E.L

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Because a built 2.0 is better 😎

11/16/2018 - 17:40 |
2 | 2
Anonymous

Restomoding it’s best. Why spend 1000s just in the ferrari engine, that’s not even that special, when you can get a boxer that’s more reliable and faster and have all sorts of fun.

11/16/2018 - 15:04 |
2 | 6
Steve Buscemi

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Not as special

11/16/2018 - 19:39 |
2 | 0
Basith Penna-Hakkim

I need to take this for the next Subie meet

11/16/2018 - 16:52 |
0 | 0
Marco Q (hi)

dude
my last post
but real this time
love it

11/16/2018 - 17:38 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

That is not a Dino!

11/16/2018 - 17:44 |
0 | 0
ScandinavianVolvoGuy

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It is, model 1974-1980

11/17/2018 - 07:31 |
0 | 0