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info on type 3 engine conversions

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:11 am
by dinski
hey,
any of you guys got some handy pointers on which engine to put into a type 3 vw
ive seen that alot of people put ej22 subaru engines in them and not the turbo ej20t or ej25t. Is this because of the pure size of the engines or the fact that people usually try to keep the conversions cheap by using the original vw gearbox with adaptor plates and flywheels?
Does anyone know what is involved with sticking one of these turbo engines in the type 3? Is it simply too much work? can the subaru gearbox be used somehow to cut costs? Is a mid mount engine configuration an option?
some help in the right direction and information to my questions would be greatly appreciated
Cheers

Re: info on type 3 engine conversions

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:36 pm
by damo99
put a type 4 vw motor in it plenty of power and still air cooled (easy swap has been done lots on here)
but if you really want subaru turbo power get ready to spend big time
not only on motor but gearbox as well
this might help
http://www.rexnet.com.au/forum/index.ph ... ngineered/
this car is close to my house its a weapon but he has forever spending money on it

Re: info on type 3 engine conversions

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 4:06 am
by damo99

Re: info on type 3 engine conversions

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 6:04 pm
by builtbychevy
Try the bmw 2002 m10 engine I have a spare I have been considering to swap. Much better engine then the Hayabusa BECAUSE ITS GERMAN!

Re: info on type 3 engine conversions

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 6:05 pm
by builtbychevy
Also the bmw m10 or sr12 or m3 or any bmw powerplant prior to 1992 will fit any bmw transmission from atleast 1967-1992

Re: info on type 3 engine conversions

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 6:51 pm
by gearheadgreg
I've owned and run the BMW M10 engines - not bad at all, even driven several vintage racers with them. However, for a Type 3 - doesn't belong, IMO. WAY too heavy (iron block) and I don't think it can be canted over very far, very easily. The gearboxes are just that - gear box, not a trasaxle, so won't work, unless you want to run a driveshaft to a differential the front wheels!

Dinski - I think your first thought is correct - most swaps want it to not be *overly* complicated or expensive. Adding a turbo to the mix increases the fabrication required and dollars spent if you don't do it all yourself.

Re: info on type 3 engine conversions

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:04 pm
by Piledriver
A Type 4 swap can be literally a weekend project if you have any fabrications tools//skills at all, and are already set up with the stubby manifolds/proper late TO setup and 210/215mm FW etc.

It 's as close to being a bolt in as it gets, and even a 914 1700 will walk all over a perfectly tuned T3 1600 DP.
(The 1700 will actually have more HP/tq than a lot of "built" T1s, and have 30% more cooling capacity, plus it's already full flowed with a 4 quart sump. (914 folk frequently run 5qt w/o issues)

I live in Dallas. No Cooling Issues.

If you decide to keep the factory T4 EFI manifolds and put MS on it, and have any experience with MS, add a long weekend.

Re: info on type 3 engine conversions

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:19 pm
by supaninja
Pile- not everyone has a late, late model type 3 with the sleeved TO bearing ;)

It comes down to your skill sets with fabbing, creativity, and tuning experience/skill. Every swap has it's pluses and minuses. The bottom line is your budget.

Type 4 swap is relatively inexpensive and very straight forward for a stock or mild motor, but if you want a high po type 4 motor you will enter the realm of a scooby motor/tranny swap minus the big power numbers. That being said my mild 2L bus motor is a kick in the pants to drive in my lil notch.

Re: info on type 3 engine conversions

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 6:40 am
by gearheadgreg
dinski wrote:hey,
can the subaru gearbox be used somehow to cut costs? Is a mid mount engine configuration an option?
I was rereading through some posts (in anticipation of a Type 3 project) and realized no one addressed these questions.

The Subie transmission can be used, but the differential has to be flipped, since it is driving in the opposite direction (engine behind trans, instead of in front of it, moving forwards). This is now accomplished with http://www.subarugears.com/. It looks like the flipping of the diff and machining out the case isn't that bad (see vids on the site) but you will have to fab or buy mounts, and fab shift linkage.

Here's a Vanagon build thread about the transmission - one of the best IMO, and David build some good linkage, I think. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... ansmission

On the Samba, years ago, a member named Tristar Eric built a Vanagon Double Cab with a 2.5 STI engine, and a Porsche G50 transmission. More fab work, and that trans is kind of expensive.

Nate on here has a great build thread of his Squareback with a Type 4 engine and a Porsche 915 transmission, and the associated mods for installation.

So - I think your budget and your fab skills will determine what you want to do.

Type 4 swap - easiest and cheapest
Subie swap - more expensive and more involved
Turbo Subie Swap - even more expensive, and even more fab work involved

Stock 4 spd trans - easiest and cheapest
Porsche 901/915 trans - some real fab work, trans are reasonable cost, but rebuild costs a lot
Porsche G5- - more fab work and a higher price, but stronger internals
Subaru 5 speed - plentiful and cheap, but swap parts are about $2000, and some fab work to install

Mid engine? Anything is possible, but that option would put you into the complete custom car builder - not really feasible for a weekend fabricator, even an accomplished one, reasonably.