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Subaru into a 69 square?

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Fireball xl5 Seriously Crusin Dubber

193 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#522083
been thinking about making the type 3 go faster and was half thinking about a subaru conversion. The only thing is I want to keep the back flat as we use the car as a station wagon, so the engine will have to fit under the floor. Is this possible and has anyone done it?

GeorgeL Officially Full-On Dubber

231 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#522185
Fireball xl5 wrote:been thinking about making the type 3 go faster and was half thinking about a subaru conversion. The only thing is I want to keep the back flat as we use the car as a station wagon, so the engine will have to fit under the floor. Is this possible and has anyone done it?
I think it can be done. Subarus fit into Vanagons easily and those engines were pretty flat.

George

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#522192
You will need to construct a taller sealed and soundproofed engine cover; the engine does not fit below the floorline
Pay your debts, CxxT

Fireball xl5 Seriously Crusin Dubber

193 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#522208
thanks for that, the one rule I had about the conversion was to have no hump in the floor unfortunatley, but will have to work out just how big it will have to be, and go from there.
what engines do people use mostly?

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#522209
You will need a hump/lifted floor of around 150mm (6 inches). Plenty of info on here about DOHC Subie engines (EJ series as used from mid-90s to now) into Bugs and Type 3s etc
Pay your debts, CxxT

Jeza Officially Full-On Dubber

353 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#522225
Hi

Here is some info that may help with the decision making
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=46066&page=1#pid429694

(made up of the typical banter that you see on here 😉
(actually it ain't that useful at all...)

and
http://www.warnercnr.colostate.edu/~kevinlh/type3_conversion_to_subaru.htm
Some fellow in the states that did the conversion.

Cheers
Jeremy

[ Edited on 14-8-2006 by Jeza ]
......random gibberish for today.......

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#522234
just a thought - how much more power are you looking for? maybe the earlier (simpler) subis such as the ea81 may take up less room?
Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool

gull Wolfsburg Wizard

446 posts · joined Jun 2005 ·

#522240
SR20 n/a 140hp

Fireball xl5 Seriously Crusin Dubber

193 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#522250
Think the hump will be an issue, we use the car as a wagon with stuff in the back, and a 6" hump would ruin the space, maybe just a 2ltr engine from a camper may be the less space consuming option.

Fireball xl5 Seriously Crusin Dubber

193 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#522252
The hump will be to big, we usae our type3 as a wagon and often stack it to the roof when off racing, the option may now be a 2ltr aircooled lump. bugger

crewcabconnection Being Sid James

1,922 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#522308
dont do it, keep it real. Subaru engines are rubbish
Loves a lolcat

boof2332 Custom Title Time!

1,210 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#522647
Get a set of empi style timber racks, you maybe able to get the cover a bit lower, so you could do either a total false floor, so its not awkward, or just have a small hump over the high point probable not much bigger than an ice cream container.

As for subaru motors being rubbish.... cheaper, modern, reliable, fuel efficient and power...lots more power.

In saying that... if you can get a 2 litre bus engine cheap, it will probably serve you purpose pretty well.

Good luck with your choice regardless.

Matt

Fireball xl5 Seriously Crusin Dubber

193 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#522752
how easly do 2ltr engines go in?
is it new engine mounts etc, or is it a bolt straight in job?

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#522760
wow, just went and measured my ea81 scoobi engine in my kombi and then the engine bay of the type3 wagon, cant believe how small they are! the wagons have, what 20cm from the middle of the engine to the underside of the engine lid? even my old subi has at least 30cm from centre of engine to top of air filter!
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pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#522797
Fireball xl5 wrote:The hump will be to big, we use our type3 as a wagon and often stack it to the roof when off racing, the option may now be a 2ltr aircooled lump. bugger
bus914 wrote:you will also lose front boot space as the spare tyre will need to go there to make way for a radiator.


Yes you will loose some space, but there is another matter to consider. When you convert the car to subaru water cooled you get a whole bunch of advantages.
For one, it's quieter inside and a lot smoother to drive.
Two, you can install aircon and a real heater, which may sound stupid, but it makes the journey so much nicer.
Three, with a bus motor you always have to worry about temp, the rotten carbies (which never stay in tune) and burnt valves, and parts are not real easy to get in the bush. Type 4 motors are getting old and are expensive to rebuild.
Four, EJ motors come with a 75amp alternator from memory, so bung on four super oscars like I did.
Five, with an ej22 you could put a roof rack on top and a trailer on the back. Brad towed a double axle car trailer (with a small tractor on it) all the way from melbourne to brisbane in his EJ22 powered ute.
Six, install cruise control and make it even more comfortable and fuel efficient. Food for thought. 😉

Now if on the other hand you can get a cheap 2l in good nic then go ahead and put it in, but the subaru is a much better package in the long run.
Crewcabconnection wrote:dont do it, keep it real. Subaru engines are rubbish
What the? You were gonna put a subie in ya splitta 10 minutes ago Deano. Chicken. :P
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

Fireball xl5 Seriously Crusin Dubber

193 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#522848
Would really love a subaru turbo engine but with the intercooler im not sure where you could put it. Is there a kit you can buy with all the mounting hardware to fit, engine mounts adapters etc. Been talking with my beloved adn she is not to bothered about what engine the car has, as long as it is not that loud, and isnt to wacky racers.

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#522859
Dude, an ej22 is what you want. There are a few companies who can sell you everything you need bar the engine mounts and radiator stuff. Alternatively, Quickfit motorsport in Hornsby (http://www.quickfitmotorsport.com.au/) can do your loom for you or the whole conversion. Boof (Matt) in Dural could do also the whole conversion. Custom Offroad could sell you a part kit.

If you go EJ20 turbo the car will be very quick, but you will eat a gearbox eventually unless you drive like a grandma, and we both know you won't with a turbo motor. Stick with the common atmo motor and buy a complete motor/loom/ecu from a wrecker. Spare parts can be bought at repco or any subaru dealer in Aust (make sure it is not an import motor).

Ej22 + Lbug gearbox + Squareback = nice streetable car with highway legs and bags of lowdown torque.

If you like I'll take you for a spin in my EJ25 buggy and show you just how smooth it is. The EJ22 is only a fraction less powerful. U2U me and we'll tee up a time. Heck, come over for a barby on saturday and have a look see.
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#523031
he's right about the gearbox bit!
Pay your debts, CxxT

Fireball xl5 Seriously Crusin Dubber

193 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#523209
thanks for the barby offer but off to the zoo with my neice on saturday. but would be great to see just how fast the type 3 could be...

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#523310
the qu is, how fast can you spend. coz it all comes down to cash. if you go turbo expect to shell out for a strong gearboxat some stage and that's upwards of $2500 on top of the brake upgrades you'll need for the engineering certificate.

But really, an ej20T is a compromise if you really want to go fast. After all, you can now legally fit and ECOTEC V6. But wait, that's still not on the limit. How about a 4litre lexus V8 coz that's legal. In fact, I believe the newer LS430 4.3litre V8 engine is legal too. It's 290hp standard and I dare say it's been tuned rather conservatively. Let's not even talk about the amount of torque it may produce.
OR you could go up to 2.7l turbo charged which leaves a myriad of motors to choose from including rotors. But heck it's all about speed and money. THe sky is the limit. The more power, the more gearbox/brake/chassis upgrades you need and the closer to a divorce you'll be. 😉

Or, you could go with the EJ22 which shouldn't kill an Lbug box and will surprise lots of people and drive really nicely. It will also cost less than a VW motor of comparable size and power output.

[ Edited on 16-8-06 by pete wood ]
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#523479
looks a bit like this

[ Edited on 16-8-2006 by VWCOOL ]

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Pay your debts, CxxT

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#523494
or this....

subibaja Wolfsburg Wizard

501 posts · joined Sep 2005 ·

#523507
crewcabconnection wrote:dont do it, keep it real. Subaru engines are rubbish
be fucked they are

but i see your piont go and spend thousands on your aircooled motor to go fast and still not be as reliable and have as much power as a subaru standard motor

and i supose you speaking from experience, arnt you?
be quiet
anyone who says it's bad to put subaru motors in vw's.....
hasnt got a clue about smoooooooooth

terry
brisbane
0403252522
you know who i am

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#523569
dumone wrote:or this....
damn! that engine bays almost as messy as mine :P shows how small those type 3 bays are, you could lose that engine in a kombi engine bay!
Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool