Philosophical question about Subaru conversions

Craig S · 2009-09-16T07:43:17+00:00

This isn’t a criticism of people who have converted because I’m very tempted to do so, but my head and heart are in disagreement. At the risk of over thinking things this is where I’m at. I have a 74 L Bug, which currently has the stock 1600, and I’m madly saving with the aim of one day making it a really nice daily driver (i.e. very strong/fast engine) that I can also use in club events etc. At present I drive it a couple of days a week. In my head there’s no argument, a EJ20T would be cheaper than a strong air cooled, more powerful, more reliable, more economical, quieter etc etc, and I should do the conversion, but my heart struggles with the idea. To my heart the aircooled flat four is intrinsic to what makes the car a VW. Despite the fact that the Subaru engine is essentially a modern interpretation of it, it still is fundamentally different. I can’t get past the fact that the aircooled engine is not just the heart of the car, but the soul as well. The question I keep asking myself is: If I want to put a EJ20T in the bug, why not just buy an old WRX, why put it in the bug? My question for those with a engine conversion is: What still makes it a VW for you, rather than a Subaru/whatever? Look forward to your thoughts! 🙂

Fastie Officially Full-On Dubber

217 posts · joined Apr 2010 · 6 Oct 2010, 12:42 pm

#806066

I'm going through the process in Vic now and most engineers will quote you $1000 - mines a little more but he is into the VW scene in Victoria - so happy to pay someone who knows what they are looking at. Maybe the VASS is a harder route as just getting the brakes complied is quite a process - and my brake setup will be just over 2k - but is a seriously good setup.

I have estimated my conversion to come in under 6k with EJ20T and big brakes.. that still seems quite a bit cheaper than a VW engine alone.

Tonz Magonz Officially Full-On Dubber

201 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 6 Oct 2010, 4:32 pm

#806118

Fastie,
Are you using the services of Bill M..?

Regards Tony

Fastie Officially Full-On Dubber

217 posts · joined Apr 2010 · 6 Oct 2010, 6:52 pm

#806149

Yeah I am. He's given me a lot of good advice before even viewing the car so figure I'll stick with him

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 8 Oct 2010, 10:00 am

#806527

Ratmuller wrote:Pete,

would you be Andys brother...?

nup, we just share identical DNA 😉

ok, yes, but tell anyone. they still think I'm cool round here... 🤓

"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

Tonz Magonz Officially Full-On Dubber

201 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 10 Oct 2010, 8:29 pm

#806899

😂

General_Failure Use your head, don't abuse it!

1,036 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 11 Oct 2010, 9:46 am

#806960

Of course it's still a beetle. If you change the wheels, it's still a beetle. If you use aftermarket panels it's still a (flimsy) beetle. If your glass doesn't have a VW logo on it it's still a beetle. It's only not a beetle if you are some kind of OCD brand whore.

I'm back on track with doing a conversion on my bay. It will be far cheaper than what most people paid but that's because of massive concessions I'm making, plus short of machining work I can pretty much do anything myself.

The way I see it is the only practical difference is I'll be able to drive it. Not only that I'll be able to drive it with the stereo on. I won't be constantly listening intently for a change in engine sound or with my heart in my throat with every tap or knock thinking the motor is about to self destruct with no parts for 3 hours + in any direction.
I'm doing it for three reasons. Parts availability, relative cost, and engine longevity.
I can get a subie motor at the wrecker. It won't drop an intake valve seat. Its parts aren't forged from pure unobtainium, with only historical replicas available from China.
It won't be FI, and it won't be much more powerful than stock, but it will work. I'm staring down the barrel of a $650 to over $1000 hit to the wallet just to do a basic topend job on my type 4. Who knows how long that will last.

Would you say it is no longer a bay? By the whole brand argument you could almost say it isn't anyway. It has a mixture of miscellaneous Japanese and US parts already, and a few electrical bits from trucks. that comes from availability. The camper conversion wasn't done by VW or VW licensed. Does that make it not a VW? The roo bar wasn't made by VW, nor the fog lights, rear seat, fuel pump, most of the gauges, gear stick boot, exhaust, 240v wiring, some of the 12v wiring, carburettor, manifolds, spark plug leads etc. etc.
My point is it's still a bay in spite of the parts used. Most cars use parts from different manufacturers anyway, so the whole thing is silly.

If at first you don't succeed. Build, build again.
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based LCA pop-top camper. Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.

Tonz Magonz Officially Full-On Dubber

201 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 29 Nov 2010, 8:42 pm

#814864

Helbus..
You have PM..

Cheers Tony