Engine swap to boost Gluskie’s Cup aspirations

EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) rising star Jaidyn Gluskie will venture into new territory when he attends The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally later this month.

Having campaigned a Subaru Impreza RS for most of his young rallying career, the Tasmanian will enter the season finale as a genuine WOLF SPORTS Cup contender having recently completed an engine swap.

From Gippsland onwards, Gluskie’s Subaru RS will be armed with a 3L flat-6 EZ30R, which is more commonly known as a “H6”, and a 6-speed transmission with DCCD (Driver’s Control Center Differential).

There are plenty of benefits to the H6 engine as it produces strong, smooth torque along with improving the overall vehicle balance and handling dynamics. Aesthetically, it creates a sound closer to a Porsche GT car as opposed to a regular rally car, which will impress many car enthusiasts attending the event.

The engine swap instantly boosts the overall package of Gluskie’s car with a more powerful motor than standard. However, it differs from a generic turbo motor due to being marginally heavier and more challenging to handle. Despite this, it is an attractive option for competitors wishing to retain the mechanical sympathy and simplicity that a naturally aspirated engine provides.

Having become eligible last year, the car offers an affordable, reliable alternative to turbocharged engines – perfect for a privateer entry like Gluskie.

“I’m incredibly excited. For a while now I’ve been dreaming of having a car that is production outright capable, and I believe that, should I make the best of this car, it can do just that,” Gluskie said.

“Whilst the car appears the same, almost the entire powertrain is completely different. Obviously the H6 engine, but also the gearbox and diffs for example.

“I haven’t had a chance to drive the car in anger yet, so Gippsland testing and the Friday night special stage will be especially important opportunities to get to grips with the car.

“This car also presents a fantastic opportunity to be unique, being the first H6 in the national championship. I believe the sound of the car, and hopefully the way I steer it, will make us a crowd favourite.

“The conversion has been done by Sam Hill, who was responsible for building and debuting Australia’s first H6 rally car nine months ago. I’d like to thank Sam for his hard work and efforts in getting the car prepared in a short time for Gippsland.”

Gluskie will debut the new engine as part of the ARC’s season-ending The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally in and around the forests of Heyfield and West Sale on 20-22 November.