Stealth Kombi

fatdadis · 2011-04-02T05:56:13+00:00

Starting a topic to document my travels as a Kombi enthusiast...time to Share.....will start with lots of Pics. (Just learning to resize in photoshop...). Been into serious mods from about 2001. This is a FUN car - not a historically valuable 1960 splitty that should be left stock. I've modified lots of stuff, and done things a few times to get it right - so if I can help a newbie get his/her bombi on the road with less pain / cash outlay...then I'll feel good. Why modify? .....FUN.....and, lets face it, when the subie engine hits full boost it is rather cool (you keep up with “annoying little cars” easily....and can shock everybody if you want to give it a bit of juice...not my style, but good to have the power when necessary, particularly when loaded up). Add proper air conditioning (and heating), better fuel efficiency, electronic ignition, quad cam, fuel injection, TURBO,...GENUWINE factory replacement engine parts.....and you have my motivation to go to a subie.....and you gotta love the rumble sound it makes. Being a big car, the donk doesn’t overpower you - and I've never felt out of control (but, please, lower the car if you want sporty cornering - rear sway bar and "moderately" lower profile tyres help heaps). The stock Kombi brakes go fine, just pay attention to the rear drum adjustment on a regular basis, so they are at optimum. Anyway, specs: EJ20T (very early, but similar spec to WRX. ie 147kW/256Nm....but with a really short exhaust, so more power to wheels than if it was in a front engined car). Got as front cut....you will need all the bits and pieces. Didn’t use radiator....wanted a reasonably nice front view of Bombi....so many horror stories with bad rad. Placement...Get front cut with gearbox, if you are starting out – and follow my progress with the reversed Subaru gearbox. Water intercooler......gets air through tasteful side scoop. Tranny....stock 2lt kombi....with 0.7 4th gear - NOT happy with this in terms of suitability with donk..ie. turbo engine needs totally different 'box to make most of its power band (and not a 40 year old VW 4 speed). Having gone to the trouble to wack in a modern donk, many will / have been disappointed with the gearbox.....and I'm not going to take the compromise any more - so i'm going to wack in a perfectly suited reversed subie tranny, see Todd at www.subarugears.com for details.....build will take place in May/June, hopefully - will provide many pics. Radiator.....up front, where it belongs. I don't run ANY fans...even in stinking hot conditions....even when stuck in traffic idling.....even when I'm driving a little sporty....the temp NEVER goes over 90 d/cel. Rad is custom, so I can make it a nice shape suitable for covering with fibreglass spoiler. Obviously not as clean as stock look, but I'm happy that its probably as good as a radiator will look on a Kombi - and it does give it a little "attitude". System has 2 bleed points and rad cap/overflow bottle is in engine bay. Used copper lines - no probs (done about 30K in current setup)....but does need 12 monthly flush. Runs stock water pump / thermostat, no probs with circulating (the now 12lt) of coolant. Other stuff: Fuel tank (stock) under back seat - fits easy, but needs to be in an enclosed space....working on an aluminium box for this, as a speak. Gear leaver and brake between seats....took some thought / playing - but now good as gold...and I can run much shorter gearstick, so quicker gear changes, in a more comfortable position. Hiace large capacity air conditioner mounted above rear cargo area.....will be going by next summer. Aftermarket under dash heater/demister on its way from US soon. Skull side marker indicators (why not). Custom LED rear indicators.....front harley bullet indicators - so the "Boxy" mid '70s indicator look is gone from front and back......front air intake grill gone too – quarter vents make up for this.....air con will help even further. Air con will have custom roof ducting (like airplanes) to keep peeps chilled. Towbar in engine bay - just tow ball sticking out back - which you can do with a subie donk being so short.....also have bike rack attachment permanently attached...all covered by painted aluminium plate. Limo style partition, to front, so kids can fight in peace - and also (more importantly) so that the air con only has to cool the front cabin when I'm not ferrying family. Similar partition (in progress) behind rear seats, so air con won't need to cool space above engine....which does get warm. Will add lots of insulation to help air con, as well... Deleted top rear air intakes - looks smoother - replaced with "rocket engine" holes in rear engine lid, to get heat out of engine bay. Not to many people’s taste, and I agree it is a little funky/brave.....but key word is FUN. Recessed rear reversing lights, in bumper. Chrome 16 inch wheels (Speedy brand – come as blank wheels, and they are drilled to suit....have correct offset)....lower profile tyres at…

fatdadis Commited Dubber

64 posts · joined Jan 2010 · 8 Apr 2011, 8:51 pm

#834720

top hose fittings don't allow enough room....bugger

1 attachment · Log in to view

fatdadis Commited Dubber

64 posts · joined Jan 2010 · 8 Apr 2011, 8:54 pm

#834721

will get tank remodelled by welders.....back next week

fatdadis Commited Dubber

64 posts · joined Jan 2010 · 8 Apr 2011, 8:56 pm

#834722

old surge tank made perfect noise reducer for buzzy fuel pump.....noice

1 attachment · Log in to view

ahoogah Seriously Crusin Dubber

135 posts · joined Oct 2009 · 9 Apr 2011, 5:55 am

#834758

Hey fatdadis, what's with the title of this post
Stealth Kombi my backside.
That beast visually murmurs deeply of unknown modification,
give any boy racer a fright.
Nice work man,love the front pod, I can see that being copied.
Dave.

ttriebler Officially Full-On Dubber

321 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 11 Jun 2011, 5:45 pm

#845755

Project update .... reversed Subie 5 speed dropped off to the Stealth Kombi owner today. The maniac has also managed to get a 2.5 STi bottom end for his motor so this should be a great build.

Given the speed that he works at, I bet you'll see build photos on here tomorrow as he starts maneuvering the dummy drivetrain into place and fabbing up all the brackets.

Reversed gears for Subaru transmissions.
Fit a Subaru 5 speed to your rear engined car
www.subarugears.com

baghall Ben Hal Outlaw Bushranger

1,021 posts · joined Jan 2010 · 11 Jun 2011, 9:23 pm

#845782

Awesome build thread but bo way is it stealth, unless you mean stealth fighter.

68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car

jigga Officially Full-On Dubber

249 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 12 Jun 2011, 10:44 pm

#845975

Looks great. something different with good attention to detail. well done.

ttriebler Officially Full-On Dubber

321 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 27 Jun 2011, 7:34 pm

#848681

Just in....some spy photos. Transmission and dummy motor all in. The hardest part was working out the nose mount. It has ended up with 25mm gap between the nose of the transmission and the torsion bar in this particular setup.

View from the top :

View from the bottom at ride height :

A nice fit IMHO with the CV and axle angles looking good.

Reversed gears for Subaru transmissions.
Fit a Subaru 5 speed to your rear engined car
www.subarugears.com

ttriebler Officially Full-On Dubber

321 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 17 Oct 2011, 10:47 pm

#867489

Here's the link to the build pictures :

http://www.subarugears.com/index_files/Page829.htm

A couple of pix here for general info :

Reversed gears for Subaru transmissions.
Fit a Subaru 5 speed to your rear engined car
www.subarugears.com