Sam Albert’s Ferrari V8-Swapped Subaru WRX STI rally car has been making headlines recently, and now you can watch it in action on a mixed-surface rally stage in a new video from DirtFish. The video showcases the car’s impressive speed and power, with the wail of the F136 IB V8 engine and rooster tails of dirt adding to the spectacle. The 4.3L V8 engine was sourced from a Ferrari California and reportedly produces power that is “near identical to stock reported Ferrari numbers.” This means that the car is making around 454 hp (460 PS / 338 kW) and 358 lb-ft (485 Nm), a significant upgrade over a stock STI’s 300 hp (304 PS / 224 kW) and 300 lb-ft (407 Nm).

Practical Advantages of the F136 Engine

The powerplant wasn’t just chosen for its impressive power output and sound, however. Regulations dictate that if a car’s engine is below 4.5 liters in displacement and naturally aspirated, power doesn’t need to be restricted. As the F136 is 0.2 liters below that threshold, Albert was able to run it at full power. Additionally, the engine was found to offer more consistent power delivery than the stock Subaru engine.

Extra Tuning Required

However, the engine’s weight necessitated extra tuning of the car’s suspension to account for the additional weight. Despite this, the car looks like an absolute blast to drive, as evidenced by the video.

Other Impressive Rally Cars

If you’re interested in other impressive rally cars, you might want to check out the Hyundai Kona EV transformed into an 805-HP rally car or the Toyota GT 86 with a Ferrari/Maserati V8 engine and six-speed manual transmission.

Conclusion

The Ferrari V8-Swapped Subaru WRX STI rally car is an impressive machine that showcases the power and speed that can be achieved with the right engine and modifications. The F136 engine not only produces impressive power but also offers more consistent power delivery than the stock Subaru engine. While extra tuning was required to account for the engine’s weight, the car is still a joy to drive and watch in action.