Subaru Brat With Impreza WRX STI Engine Is A Mini Truck With Big Power

Aug. 13, 2023 8:52 AM ET by Cesar Miguel Video / 6 Comments

The pocket rocket also boasts a host of other Subaru parts.

The Subaru Brat, or Brumby if you're from Australia, may be small, but it is a gem of a pickup truck. This particular example from the Land Down Under showcases one of the coolest builds we've seen for the pickup, featuring a brutal engine packed under its hood. But even in stock form, the truck is so lovable that even Subaru is considering bringing it back.

Featured by renowned automotive photographer Larry Chen, this cute truck's original 1.8-liter carbureted mill was swapped for a beefier 2.0-liter Subaru EJ20, the same engine family used in the first Impreza WRX STI - one of the most significant JDM cars. The video below shows that the larger boxer engine looks right at home under the Brat's bonnet.

Steve, its owner/builder, has equipped the Brat with upgrades worthy of the STI designation, including an intercooler, power steering, and permanent all-wheel-drive conversion. That last part was notable as the Brat was only a part-time AWD from the factory.

Giving the tiny truck an EJ20 was the easiest engine swap for the model according to the owner. Plus, it's also legal in Australia. The only major mods he needed to set the larger engine in the Subie mini trucks' engine bay was a cross member for its turbo components and chassis rails to clear the timing covers.

Then again, the guy gave his brumby a full-on restoration, and we all know that kind of project isn't easy. Interestingly, its front section uses an aftermarket bar piece intended for a Nissan Skyline R31, and it uses Subaru BRZ side mirrors.

It also gets the same grille as the Subaru GL Wagon, the same base car for Travis Pastrana's Family Huckster, the star of Gymkhana 2022. The EJ20-swapped Brat's interior likewise looks pristine. It's not stock, though, as it does have some Sparco racing seats and a gauge cluster from the original Subaru WRX.

It's a mix of many Subie parts that seem to gel together seamlessly, resulting in an immaculately clean build. Partnered with the 288-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, we're sure it's a riot on the road, considering its size and weight.

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Cesar Miguel

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