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1985 VW Caravelle T3 Project (Links Fixed)

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zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1029178
1985 VW Caravelle Project.

SO after a while away from projects, I bought this little project in Melbourne. Honestly I have no real idea of where the project will go, but it is completely rust free. The only thing I have known that I wanted to do from the outset, is to have a Subaru 3.0 H6 engine transplanted into it

The Bus loaded and ready to go to Sydney



Complete interior, but still thinking about what to change it to



Test fit 18" staggered Mercedes Benz SL AMG Wheels (18"x8.5" up front ET30 and 18"x9.5" out back ET32). Sliding side door just opens past the wheels



Bought a complete Subaru 3.0 H6 that was written off after a minor bingle. 101,000 Km's on the car and a complete service history.



10+kg wiring looms and ECU's on their way to AGT Engineering be converted to run in the Bus.



The complete wiring loom returns, including a Subatronics Canbus Emulator and wired for Aircon and Cruise Control. The joys of a fly-by-wire system sorted. Thanks to Andrew Todd @ AGT Engineering in Newcastle for sticking with it. Had a few run-ins with Subaru to get the Codes, but eventually got them from my local Dealership - They were GREAT!

Engine taken out and serviced by our mechanic.



Engine hanger fabricated and ready for install.



Engine bay repainted white (I'm thinking the Bus will become white) and engine goes in.

Engine lowered (to ensure engine lid closes) and plumbing continues. Engine fired up first time.



A long way to go, but exhaust will be fabricated this week.

More updates to come 🙂.

grazza7755 Wolfsburg Wizard

458 posts · joined Dec 2010 ·

#1029179
Great job so far.
You're going to love the result.
You probably already know but just in case, smallcar.com make nearly everything for this type of conversion. Cables, hoses, brackets, exhaust, catalytic converter, muffler, adapter, wiring etc.
I bought everything that was needed.
The stainless exhaust kit I bought for my H6 in a T3 was and is fantastic.

Enjoy the result.
Cheers

rocknrob Insano Dub Head

844 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#1029180
nice work...whats it going to be? family car, sunday cruiser?..i,m liking the T3 more and more..

karmann141 Wolfsburg Wizard

485 posts · joined Aug 2009 ·

#1029204
Excellent.

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1961 K Ghia - Porsche 5 sp, EJ20T, Brembo's, Dble A arm susp
1974 L Bug - Porsche 944 brakes, Boxster 16's
1974 Bay Camper - EJ20, twin radiators, Boxster 16x7's
Half Beetle trailer with Boxster 16x7's
2011 Tiguan TDI 4Motion
2010 LR Discovery 4 TDV

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1029208
grazza7755 wrote:Great job so far.
You're going to love the result.
You probably already know but just in case, smallcar.com make nearly everything for this type of conversion. Cables, hoses, brackets, exhaust, catalytic converter, muffler, adapter, wiring etc.
I bought everything that was needed.
The stainless exhaust kit I bought for my H6 in a T3 was and is fantastic.

Enjoy the result.
Cheers
Thanks. Yes Smallcar has great stuff. The plan is to get the transplant up and running and then probably get their stainless exhaust to add to the car. Thanks for your message. I saw your H6 build and was inspired 🙂

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1029209
rocknrob wrote:nice work...whats it going to be? family car, sunday cruiser?..i,m liking the T3 more and more..
Don't know just yet, but probably a completely restored weekend car

mackaymanx Custom Title Time!

1,611 posts · joined Jan 2006 ·

#1029210
If you want some more room for the intake hose against the bulkhead try a Cobra Head elbow.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=cobra+head+intake+elbow&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig2pbnh9HOAhWGFpQKHYzxAZoQsAQIJw

Or just cut the bulkhead.
Quote of the week
"Do I wish to send them to you again, nope, no interest can't be bothered really, to much hassle for little or no return."

[IMG]https://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-18600.png[/IMG]

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#1029211
What wheels you running? Merc AMG?
Futue te ipsum!!!

Kroozzn61 Slammed & Awesome Dubber

94 posts · joined Apr 2016 ·

#1029213
Looking good!

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1029253
Bizarre wrote:What wheels you running? Merc AMG?
I trialled the 18" AMG Wheels, but decided to sell them and am looking at running 17" Airevo Wheels for now until the restoration is complete.

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1029254
Kroozzn61 wrote:Looking good!
thanks. A lot more to come 🙂

Scottkombi Officially Full-On Dubber

358 posts · joined Dec 2008 ·

#1029373
I see its been tapped with the lowering stick - looks great with the Merc AMG wheels

With that donk it should go just as well as it looks....
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1029683
Exhaust was fabricated and popped on last week. Sounds great!



zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1031371
The Bus is almost done with its Subaru H6 engine transplant and will hopefully be back on the weekend. In the meantime, a set of 19"x8" AMG Replica wheels (ET35) - NO rubbing issues









The original paint does shine quite nicely after a polish, even though I am not sold on the colour (yet)

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#1031396
👍👍 sweet
Futue te ipsum!!!

Scottkombi Officially Full-On Dubber

358 posts · joined Dec 2008 ·

#1031643
Wow thats very nice.

I am taking my 30 odd kgs of Subaru wiring up to Andrew next week to get sorted ready for an EJ 25 install in my syncro.

Just waiting for my speed sensor to come from RJES in the UK then my wiring loom will be complete.

Have you had yours running yet?

The colour looks great.
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1031660
Scottkombi wrote:Wow thats very nice.

I am taking my 30 odd kgs of Subaru wiring up to Andrew next week to get sorted ready for an EJ 25 install in my syncro.

Just waiting for my speed sensor to come from RJES in the UK then my wiring loom will be complete.

Have you had yours running yet?

The colour looks great.
Hi Scott,

Yes the Bus is done and comes back this week from the Mechanic. The Bus sounds awesome and cannot wait to get it back.

As for the colour it is growing on me, so I might leave it as is for a while.

Cheers,
Trevor.

scoob02 Learner Dubber

1 post · joined Jul 2009 ·

#1031853
man that is cool!

Just picked up a T3 with the 2.5L in it - goes well

I want to put some wheels on, those reps look good - are they a direct fit?

and clear the hubs?

stock bolts?

Cheers mate

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1031882
scoob02 wrote:man that is cool!

Just picked up a T3 with the 2.5L in it - goes well

I want to put some wheels on, those reps look good - are they a direct fit?

and clear the hubs?

stock bolts?

Cheers mate
Hi Scoob,

The wheels are a direct fit, with zero issues. I did fit longer studs into the brakes (Front & Back). I will have to fit shorter grease caps up front and a smaller spacer out back in order to run the centre caps on the wheels.

Christopher Schimke (From T3Technique.com) is on TheSamba as well and he was a great help with regards the various wheel fitments and has extensive posts on wheel fitments on TheSamba.

I hope this helps,
Trevor🙂.

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1035671
Time to take the Dashboard out and start changing the Brown interior to Black, whilst also addressing Blower motor issues

Before:





After:



I'll have to lift the front, as it is just too low - even though the stance upfront, unloaded is perfect

Scottkombi Officially Full-On Dubber

358 posts · joined Dec 2008 ·

#1036050
Awesome job.

What was the diagnosis on your heater blower motor?

I have a dead motor in my caravelle too.

Thanks,

Scott
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1036056
Thanks.

Yes, the blower motor was seized, so I got one from JustKampers and it was a simple plug and play really. Once the Dash and heater is out, it really is quite easy.

Cheers,
Trevor🙂.
Scottkombi wrote:Awesome job.

What was the diagnosis on your heater blower motor?

I have a dead motor in my caravelle too.

Thanks,

Scott

Scottkombi Officially Full-On Dubber

358 posts · joined Dec 2008 ·

#1036082
Thanks
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1037646
After much consideration, I've decided that the colour will be changed. Test paint of the nose over the weekend looks promising.

Considering I've never done this before, I'm quite happy with how it has started. Just annoyed that we ran out of paint 🙁.

Goodbye Cream and Bamboo...Hello White...

Scottkombi Officially Full-On Dubber

358 posts · joined Dec 2008 ·

#1037740
That looks nice.

The roof is the hardest as its a massive area to get even and shiny all in one go.
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#1037742
Scottkombi wrote:That looks nice.

The roof is the hardest as its a massive area to get even and shiny all in one go.
Yeah...Not really looking forward to that part of the process 🙁

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#1037754
Scottkombi wrote:That looks nice.

The roof is the hardest as its a massive area to get even and shiny all in one go.
meh.......... no one can see it

looking great Zoofish
Futue te ipsum!!!