The Subabeetle project

Joel · 2009-06-06T07:59:04+00:00

OK well i guess its about time i pulled my finger out and started a thread on the conversion ive already started one on VWKD awhile back but have been very slack keeping it updated so most of this is just copied and pasted from it for those that dont know yet im putting an subaru EJ22 in my beetle and im one of these people who likes to do alot of research on things before i start especially something as big as an engine conversion and i found that while plenty of people have done this and made threads about their car noone has really done an indepth thread showing whats involved from go to whoa so ive decided to do that for people that are maybe considering this conversion in the future i'm an ex photography student so be warned you will be bombarded with photos but i find most interested parties generally like it this way anyway Just a quick project overview without trying to bore people to much. ive wanted to subi power a vw for a long time, i fell inlove with the idea after a local put an EJ20T in his superbug convertable back in the mid 90s I do love VW motors, ive grown up with them and have knocked that many toghether over the years i could do it in my sleep. i had planned on always keeping my Lbug pretty well standard and VW powered so in 2001 i bought my 70 beetle which already had already been fitted with a mazda rotary and was going to swap it over to an EJ20T as it was already setup for water cooled engine well that worked...... i sold the car last year cos after nearly 8 years taking up valuable garage realestate i had only got as far as fixing the body and giving it a quick paintjob cos i was too busy always doing something to the Lbug and various other VW projects i dragged home i hadnt ever given any thought to converting the Lbug, being an unmolested car i never had the heart to cut it up or do anything that was irreversable but then i started looking into new 2 projects - Fuel injection and Air conditioning looking at off the shelf EFI kits starting at $3k and even building up myself a junkyard kit wouldnt have left much change out of $1.5k, and mounting a compressor and setting up belts and pulleys on a vw was a hassle id already been thro once already setting up the supercharger so i wasnt sure what direction to take but i definately wanted to step into the 21st century and get away from carbs after almost 10 years ownership i realised i would never sell it and should just make it into what i really wanted so all of a sudden a Subaru conversion was looking more and more attractive i wasnt actively looking for a subaru engine, i was happy enough with my 1776 which is only 4500kms old for the time being but a guy i know locally had just bought a Liberty only to get a few parts from for his and the car was just sitting on his front lawn so i jokingly made him an offer and to my surprise he accepted it had been a well maintiained old ladys car untill some kids decided to use the roof as a trampoline it was still complete and drivable so not only could i see the engine running i was actually able to take it for a good drive that was all it took to convince me, it ran like clockwork, none of the usual subaru lifter clacking or shaking around, the oil and coolant were nice and clean and the sticker on the firewall showed the timing belt was done only 3 years ago with a quality Dayco belt and best of all no oil leaks from the engine, only abit of auto trans oil around the back of the engine and a bit of residual shit around the rocker covers I was told it didnt use any oil either but we'll see, it certainly didnt blow any smoke for people considering going down this route the best advice i can offer is if you have the room and resources get a donor car as apposed to buying the engine and bits main reasons are: everything matches. Subaru changed things on a yearly basis particularly ECUs and more often than not parts are not compatible ive heard horror stories of people buying engines from a wrecker and the loom has been taken from another vehicle and doesnt match the engine there are also lots of small fiddly parts seprate to the engine that are needed but can easily be missed it often works out cheaper to, a whole running car can be bought rusted or damaged for as little as $400 you may pay around $1k just for an engine and loom from a wrecker that u cant hear running and maybe a mis match to, plus compression test figures can be fudged pulling the engine out isnt real difficult but the wiring is a big job and also very delicate and time consuming, wreckers have bad habits of just cutting wires and breaking things being rough with them etc and you can also recoupe costs selling off uneeded stuff from the car and maybe get some cash for scrap with the shell I went the EJ22 for a number of reasons, the main one was fit theyre almost identical in dimensions to a 1600 so theres no body cutting needed except for 2 minor sections of the seal lip cut off the valance in either corner to clear the…

Mick058 Custom Title Time!

1,580 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 5 Nov 2009, 7:31 am

#745338

Mick058 wrote:vvvrrrroooommmm -ppppchheeeeeee

wap wap waaaaaaaaap vvvrroooomm >>>> PPPPCCCCCHHEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee........

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=67295 (myride)

Romans 10:9

Flintstones Custom Title Time!

1,077 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Nov 2009, 7:29 pm

#745423

put an air-cooled motor back in.....this subi stuff seems like it's too much hassle 😀 LoL

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 5 Nov 2009, 9:03 pm

#745463

not gonna happen
im enjoying this engine to much.....when it works 😂

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 6 Nov 2009, 7:03 am

#745517

Joel wrote:not gonna happen
im enjoying this engine to much.....when it works 😂

who are you trying to kid🤪

brrrrrrmmmmm pitchooooo😂

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

colonel mustard Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,829 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 6 Nov 2009, 9:57 am

#745555

back on the road and fully working by Movember 29th 🙂

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 6 Nov 2009, 12:19 pm

#745600

ian.mezz wrote:
Joel wrote:not gonna happen
im enjoying this engine to much.....when it works 😂
who are you trying to kid🤪

brrrrrrmmmmm pitchooooo😂

keep trying you nearly won last time 😉

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 6 Nov 2009, 12:24 pm

#745601

Joel wrote:
ian.mezz wrote:
Joel wrote:not gonna happen
im enjoying this engine to much.....when it works 😂
who are you trying to kid🤪

brrrrrrmmmmm pitchooooo😂
keep trying you nearly won last time 😉

me , steve & rocknrob could send you some spare cutting wheels uno you want to.😂

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 6 Nov 2009, 12:28 pm

#745605

that'd be handy acutally
i reckon i've gone through about 20 of the bloody things already cutting up my car, water lines, zorst piping etc
guess thats what broke my budget

colonel mustard Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,829 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 6 Nov 2009, 1:17 pm

#745626

ah man... you dont count paint, sandpaper, cutting/grinding wheels, glue, zip ties or gaffa in a budget..

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 6 Nov 2009, 6:50 pm

#745675

who says EJ22 arent as fun as EJ20T......

just add a shot of some laughy gas

this thing is only running twin 36IDFs for anyone who doesnt get on STF

ryana89 Officially Full-On Dubber

315 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 6 Nov 2009, 7:13 pm

#745678

Does yours sound like that?....... or better🤓

Ryan

2.0slow 92 MK2

Made in Germany, Assembled in Africa, 'Migrated' to Australia

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 6 Nov 2009, 7:24 pm

#745680

it does sound pretty similar actually
my exhaust setup is almost the same as that one
its running a WRX header and a fatboy muffler which is essentially what mine is

i did make one in car vid the other day before i took the engine out but the camera wedged into the passenger headrest lead to a bit of a camera technical difficulty so i havent bothered uploading it

rocknrob Insano Dub Head

844 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 7 Nov 2009, 9:54 am

#745800

Hey Joel you are going to love the EJ22 in the bug once you get it running right. even in a kombi it was fun to drive and made highway trips a pleasure...but mine had 280,000 klicks on it and was leaking oil everywhere and could do with a rebuild so when i saw the 98 EJ20T with 86k for $400...well...but i had the 22 in it for 2 1/2 years! can't believe it!🙅

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 7 Nov 2009, 9:59 am

#745804

ive already got over 300kms on it so far and im loving it already

im starting to suspect the head gasket was leaking from the word go but even with that it still hammered
they're just such a torquey engine, i can see why people love them in kombis

Baja Wes V6 Baja Pioneer

3,119 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 7 Nov 2009, 10:21 am

#745810

Trying telling the air cooled purists, they don't listen to reason. They like to knock things they haven't tried 🙂

My V6 has been in my car for nearly 7 years. It still runs perfect. I just changing the oil and filter every now and again and it keeps going! The air con in this summer weather is also awesome. When are you sticking air con in yours Joel?

Wes - www.offroadvw.net - 200HP Quad Cam V6 in a VW Baja - with climate control... 🙂
www.taylorcycles.com.au - My DH MTB racing brothers shop.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 7 Nov 2009, 12:22 pm

#745841

its not for everyone but each to their own

although out of everyone thats seen it so far i havent got any neg feedback yet, there were alot of old school purists at the show i took it to the other week and eveyrone seems to love how neatly its intergrated and that its modernised a classic, still has that old vw charm but reliability and performance of a modern car

sounds like a sales spiel 🤪

anyway the A/C just have to work out evap placement and im right.
original Lbug evaps sit ontop of the fuel tank and duct in through the fresh air fan box
ive limited my trunk room already so dont really want to make it worse

ive got spare Lbug dashs i can have a play around with
im thinking of making one a porsche style like this

there's room in behind the radio/glove box area to fit an evap core.
Once all the stock Lbug dash vent and defroster ducting is gone theres alot more room behind there

ive got the evap from the liberty but its fairly big and clunky, i've got access to more slimline ones just have to box them in

end result will be similar to how you've done yours

ElusiveStranger Officially Full-On Dubber

330 posts · joined May 2006 · 7 Nov 2009, 12:29 pm

#745848

Joel wrote:that'd be handy acutally
i reckon i've gone through about 20 of the bloody things already cutting up my car, water lines, zorst piping etc
guess thats what broke my budget

Ahhh feck it.
I'll bloody send you some
Maybe you could get a sponsorship deal from "pommieland" 😉

Edit: Keep it stock looking in the driver's posn

*biased mode* Jorgen's bug is to die for on discrete looks. But, each to their own.

STIDUB Over it.

1,497 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 7 Nov 2009, 1:14 pm

#745867

let me know when you want the checker floors 😂

Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member 🙂

STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress

Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.

The above are personal views, no more, no less

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 7 Nov 2009, 1:36 pm

#745874

yeah Joel get the Turbo motor in before the RTA does something silly like change the rules on modified cars🤪

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

colonel mustard Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,829 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 7 Nov 2009, 1:49 pm

#745877

That's probably the most explained suggestion I've seen you make Ian. 😂 🙂 I cant wait to see your subi bug... soon. I heard its gettting lowered at the front///// 😂 :P

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 7 Nov 2009, 2:34 pm

#745890

geez this thread slaughters my inbox
can any mods explain why i get 5 notifiactons per reply?
used to be about 7 🤪

top idea balders, please send to:

save an EJ20T, donate a cutting disc. PO BOX.....😂

its booked for an engineers cert on the 18th so i'll see what comes of that first

colonel mustard Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,829 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 7 Nov 2009, 2:39 pm

#745892

boostcrusing....?

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 7 Nov 2009, 2:43 pm

#745893

lol yea i use it for the classifieds.
good for cheap parts

theres always some ricer selling parts cheap to pay child support to his 3 16 year old girlfriends or getting his VL commodore out of hock

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 8 Nov 2009, 11:57 am

#746074

just for peoples comical amusment heres the vid i took coming up the hill the other day showing that wedging a camera in the passenger headrest doesnt work

oh yeah for the record our speed limits around here are still in MPH no KM/H

trickysimon 100km/h is only 9 seconds away

1,473 posts · joined Dec 2007 · 8 Nov 2009, 12:19 pm

#746076

Must have some torque if your getting torque steer in the camera 😉

ryana89 Officially Full-On Dubber

315 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 8 Nov 2009, 12:45 pm

#746080

Hahaha the camera lovs ya, cant keep it 'eyes' off you

2.0slow 92 MK2

Made in Germany, Assembled in Africa, 'Migrated' to Australia

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 8 Nov 2009, 5:00 pm

#746121

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Wheels-Tyres-Parts-Accessories/Engines-Transmissions/AdNumber=W87564991536?BackToResult=true&AdOnTop=

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

STIDUB Over it.

1,497 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 8 Nov 2009, 6:04 pm

#746137

ian, your not one to use peer pressure to persuade someone are you? 😂

Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member 🙂

STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress

Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.

The above are personal views, no more, no less

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 8 Nov 2009, 6:10 pm

#746139

yeah I don't want young Joel to be left out when all his mates have Turbo cars and his is nanna powered😂

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 8 Nov 2009, 6:40 pm

#746144

STIDUB wrote:ian, your not one to use peer pressure to persuade someone are you? 😂

every school yard had a bully,
this one doesnt steel my lunch money, he makes me spend it on engine conversions i dont need 😂

im digging the invisible price tag ian, does that mean its free? ill stick it in the bug tomoro if thats that story