Subaru Conversion ?'s(where to start)
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Urban_Squrill
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:21 pm
Subaru Conversion ?'s(where to start)
First off I have a 72 bug. I have been reading up about doing engine swaps for awhile and it seems that a subaru motor is my best(cool) bet. I am looking at a EJ-20T I think it is a WRX motor. Where do I start? I have read some forums that breifly tell me about stuff. But what I am looking for is a write up of what I need to do like what to cut and such. Any tips?
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MNAirHead
- Posts: 9570
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:12 am
Howdy.
I'm trying to help --- not be a pain.
1st Stop = Bank --- you'll need 3-5k by the time it's done
2nd Stop = Kenedy Enginnering They'll help you extract $1500+
I'd REALLY check into a type 4 conversion... you'll receive power and speed... converted cars don't hold their long-term value with all the chopping etc.
We could probably give better advice if we knew what the conversion was going into (car type, transmission, desired outcome, etc).
I'm trying to help --- not be a pain.
1st Stop = Bank --- you'll need 3-5k by the time it's done
2nd Stop = Kenedy Enginnering They'll help you extract $1500+
I'd REALLY check into a type 4 conversion... you'll receive power and speed... converted cars don't hold their long-term value with all the chopping etc.
We could probably give better advice if we knew what the conversion was going into (car type, transmission, desired outcome, etc).
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Urban_Squrill
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:21 pm
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ecdez
- Posts: 575
- Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2002 1:01 am
It's been a while since I checked, but if I remenber correctly, the Kennedy kit was only about $500. Does that $1500 include more than just the flywheel and adapter plate?
You will also want to poke around over here.
http://frost.bbboy.net/vwengineconversi ... um?forum=1
There's some good info to be had.
As kind of a benchmark, I did a complete conversion with a 1.8 rabbit engine for about $1500. This included
Used running engine - $300
Kennedy Kit - $450
Carb kit - $350
Used radiator and other small watercooled items I needed - $100
25' of high pressure rubber hose - $125
and probably about $200 of misc. crap that you always forget about
This was done about 5 years ago and I did all the work and fabrication myself. I don't know how much the pricing has changed or how much parts are for the Subie engine but I would think it could all be done for under $2000. I could be wrong though
.
You will also want to poke around over here.
http://frost.bbboy.net/vwengineconversi ... um?forum=1
There's some good info to be had.
As kind of a benchmark, I did a complete conversion with a 1.8 rabbit engine for about $1500. This included
Used running engine - $300
Kennedy Kit - $450
Carb kit - $350
Used radiator and other small watercooled items I needed - $100
25' of high pressure rubber hose - $125
and probably about $200 of misc. crap that you always forget about
This was done about 5 years ago and I did all the work and fabrication myself. I don't know how much the pricing has changed or how much parts are for the Subie engine but I would think it could all be done for under $2000. I could be wrong though
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yllwveedub
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2004 2:26 pm
As far as money goes, my swap (EJ22-T) is definatly under $2500. That price is including some porformance upgrades to the engine. One thing ecdez didn't mention is the exhaust. I fabricated my own using straight pipe and madrels bends order online, and cost aprox $150. The kenedy kit cost me around $600 shipped. If you don't already have the EJ20, I would suggest looking into the EJ22-T (out of early '90s legacy turbos). With minor upgrades (such as wrx turbo which can be had for < $100) the 22 can put out the same power as the wrx and the closed deck block and all forged internals are stronger than the wrx. Another plus side is the price; I got my motor, ecu, and harness for $400.
MNAirHead,
No offence, but I'm expecting to put down aprox. 200hp to the wheels. I would be very impressed if you could do that for less than $2500 and keep it aircooled. While I am very impressed with what people to with aircooled engines I do not have the kind of money to build the aircooled motor I wanted to, which is why I chose to do the swap. While I don't think that anyone should be cutting up a split window or oval, the newer style aren't all that rair and I'm all for modyifing to improve them. Just my 2 cents
~Josh
MNAirHead,
No offence, but I'm expecting to put down aprox. 200hp to the wheels. I would be very impressed if you could do that for less than $2500 and keep it aircooled. While I am very impressed with what people to with aircooled engines I do not have the kind of money to build the aircooled motor I wanted to, which is why I chose to do the swap. While I don't think that anyone should be cutting up a split window or oval, the newer style aren't all that rair and I'm all for modyifing to improve them. Just my 2 cents
~Josh
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Wilma Busgo
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2003 5:00 am
Pun intended I hope-
Guest
Okay so were did you find your motor, ecu (stock I am assuming) and harness for $400? I have been seeing EJ-20T running in the $650 range. If I could find it for that low I would already have bought it. Did you have to modify the harness?yllwveedub wrote: Another plus side is the price; I got my motor, ecu, and harness for $400.
~Josh
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ecdez
- Posts: 575
- Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2002 1:01 am
Doh!yllwveedub wrote: One thing ecdez didn't mention is the exhaust.
I knew I forgot something. Mine engine came with the downpipe so I added a few prebent pipes and a cherry bomb from my local parts store and away I went. I've probably got about $100 in my exhaust but that's using a very cheap muffler and off the rack pipes. You could do something nice for a little more.
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MNAirHead
- Posts: 9570
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:12 am
THANKS
Thanks for being kind to my postings --- my reply was to remind everyone that this isn't a cheap conversion and hacks up a car.
KEP/SUBY Kit Available
If it's of interest.. there's a very cool mechanic around here with the entire engine setup and KEP stuff to a Vanagon tranny for $1500... I believe his engine is an 80k WRX... I know the seller fairly well... I'd be willing to drive over and check it out and possibly cut a better deal for you.
Budget
I stand by my budget --- if you picked up the phone book and wanted it all done today the net cost of the conversion parts/engine isn't cheap.
In our part of the country, we could pick up the phone and have a solid 1800-2000 type 4 engine for less than $500 (tested and used).
It can be done less --- it took me about 2 years to gather the parts... I didn't like the work it took --- eventually sold the car.
I believe our conversion was about $1500... I've got patience and a storage warehouse.... I didn't get $1500 for the converted car.
I'm not a suby authority --- just have done the conversion
Thanks for being kind to my postings --- my reply was to remind everyone that this isn't a cheap conversion and hacks up a car.
KEP/SUBY Kit Available
If it's of interest.. there's a very cool mechanic around here with the entire engine setup and KEP stuff to a Vanagon tranny for $1500... I believe his engine is an 80k WRX... I know the seller fairly well... I'd be willing to drive over and check it out and possibly cut a better deal for you.
Budget
I stand by my budget --- if you picked up the phone book and wanted it all done today the net cost of the conversion parts/engine isn't cheap.
In our part of the country, we could pick up the phone and have a solid 1800-2000 type 4 engine for less than $500 (tested and used).
It can be done less --- it took me about 2 years to gather the parts... I didn't like the work it took --- eventually sold the car.
I believe our conversion was about $1500... I've got patience and a storage warehouse.... I didn't get $1500 for the converted car.
I'm not a suby authority --- just have done the conversion
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MNAirHead
- Posts: 9570
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:12 am
THANKS
Thanks for being kind to my postings --- my reply was to remind everyone that this isn't a cheap conversion and hacks up a car.
KEP/SUBY Kit Available
If it's of interest.. there's a very cool mechanic around here with the entire engine setup and KEP stuff to a Vanagon tranny for $1500... I believe his engine is an 80k WRX... I know the seller fairly well... I'd be willing to drive over and check it out and possibly cut a better deal for you.
Budget
I stand by my budget --- if you picked up the phone book and wanted it all done today the net cost of the conversion parts/engine isn't cheap.
In our part of the country, we could pick up the phone and have a solid 1800-2000 type 4 engine for less than $500 (tested and used).
It can be done less --- it took me about 2 years to gather the parts... I didn't like the work it took --- eventually sold the car.
I believe our conversion was about $1500... I've got patience and a storage warehouse.... I didn't get $1500 for the converted car.
I'm not a suby authority --- just have done the conversion
Thanks for being kind to my postings --- my reply was to remind everyone that this isn't a cheap conversion and hacks up a car.
KEP/SUBY Kit Available
If it's of interest.. there's a very cool mechanic around here with the entire engine setup and KEP stuff to a Vanagon tranny for $1500... I believe his engine is an 80k WRX... I know the seller fairly well... I'd be willing to drive over and check it out and possibly cut a better deal for you.
Budget
I stand by my budget --- if you picked up the phone book and wanted it all done today the net cost of the conversion parts/engine isn't cheap.
In our part of the country, we could pick up the phone and have a solid 1800-2000 type 4 engine for less than $500 (tested and used).
It can be done less --- it took me about 2 years to gather the parts... I didn't like the work it took --- eventually sold the car.
I believe our conversion was about $1500... I've got patience and a storage warehouse.... I didn't get $1500 for the converted car.
I'm not a suby authority --- just have done the conversion
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Bugzilla
- Posts: 199
- Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2001 1:01 am
Also check out www.smallcar.com. They do mainly Sube-into-Vanagons, but they have some good parts you can use too.
There are also several groups on Yahoo Groups (subaru-vanagon, subaru-bug, etc) that can be of help.
It's a lot of work to do, and make sure you think things through before you start. See the website in my sig for info on putting an EJ25 in a '70 type 1.
Rob.
There are also several groups on Yahoo Groups (subaru-vanagon, subaru-bug, etc) that can be of help.
It's a lot of work to do, and make sure you think things through before you start. See the website in my sig for info on putting an EJ25 in a '70 type 1.
Rob.
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JamesT
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 10:03 pm
IF you are looking for direct instructions on how to go about building this and tells you what exactly you have to do, you shouldn't be doing a conversion of this size. Half the fun of conversions are figuring out how to do it.
What are you using for a transmission to get that 200hp to the axles? A stock transmission was made to handle 60hp and can usually take about 100 before you need to be careful.
What are you using for a transmission to get that 200hp to the axles? A stock transmission was made to handle 60hp and can usually take about 100 before you need to be careful.
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yllwveedub
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2004 2:26 pm
Wilma Busgo,
no pun intended, I'm just a horrible speller. I think that is a prerequisite for being an engineer
Guest,
I got my motor from a junkyard car (I did hear it run before I bought it). I got the whole harness out of the car, and am usinng the stock ecu.
JamesT,
I'm using a stock 091 for now. They can take a little more power than the stock beetle, but I am still expecting a rebuild in the next year or so.
~Josh
no pun intended, I'm just a horrible speller. I think that is a prerequisite for being an engineer
Guest,
I got my motor from a junkyard car (I did hear it run before I bought it). I got the whole harness out of the car, and am usinng the stock ecu.
JamesT,
I'm using a stock 091 for now. They can take a little more power than the stock beetle, but I am still expecting a rebuild in the next year or so.
~Josh
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Guest
Hi there,
I am from Sydney and have just completed my ej20t conversion...was not that expensive or difficult. Aircooled parts are heaps here, my 2332 cost me near $10,000. It had DRD heads and IDA's though. I sold it all and did the full subaru conversion for under $5000 and thats paying $900 for engine and a new microtech computer.
A mate of mine also has done the conversion, and is still just running a super bug box, and took the old president of the Porsche club for a drive....he said it could only be compared to a twin turbo 993 in all gear power and it is his daily driver.....
Matt
I am from Sydney and have just completed my ej20t conversion...was not that expensive or difficult. Aircooled parts are heaps here, my 2332 cost me near $10,000. It had DRD heads and IDA's though. I sold it all and did the full subaru conversion for under $5000 and thats paying $900 for engine and a new microtech computer.
A mate of mine also has done the conversion, and is still just running a super bug box, and took the old president of the Porsche club for a drive....he said it could only be compared to a twin turbo 993 in all gear power and it is his daily driver.....
Matt