T3 engine options - thoughts please?

pfillery · 2014-01-17T02:42:21+00:00

Starting to do some preliminary homework on required engine work for a T3 with 5sp manual and looking at realistically what my options are. Options, as I see it, are in no particular order: 1. Fix existing engine. 2. Fit directly compatible (ie. bolt out bolt in) VW watercooled engine. 3. Fit directly compatible non VW watercooled engine. 4. Fit non VW engine with adaptors etc. 5. Fit compatible VW air cooled engine with/without adaptor as applicable. 6. Convert to pedal power with a hamster on a wheel as a backup. 7. Have the bestest coolerest cubby house in the street.....maybe not. So having never embarked on anything this big before I wanted to get the down low on what the best approaches are. Have to weigh up cost vs time vs reliability so and advice with those points addressed is appreciated. What engines fit directly in with no need to change anything else and no need for modification and compliance? Understandably Subaru is top of the list for non VW so do these need adaptors, computers, cooling system upgrades etc? Do any air cooled motors fit (or be made to fit) like a type IV engine or similar)? And whats with the 1.9 engines that makes them that hard/expensive to repair? I will be doing most if not all the work myself so more interested in the cost of parts etc rather than labour. Please help to make sense of it all. Otherwise, anyone got a good used hamster wheel?🤪

Scottkombi Officially Full-On Dubber

358 posts · joined Dec 2008 · 15 Mar 2014, 8:53 am

#985995

sunburntwilly wrote:
MickH wrote:Rubbish....I did my last one 12 months ago.....car (donor) was $500 all the smallcar stuff was less than $3500 delivered and the loom was 350 to modify. That made it basically a bolt in conversion...2 day job

Just a quick question if you don't mind could you tell me who did the modified loom. Was it in Aus or small car?

I think Mick had AM Autos in Noosa do it.

American vehicles have different looms and hence they will often not work in an Australian delivered Scooby donk to T3 set-up.

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

mackaymanx Custom Title Time!

1,611 posts · joined Jan 2006 · 15 Mar 2014, 9:32 am

#985997

Ok I'll clear this up. Adam did Mick's loom not AM Auto, he had a '96 engine but used the manifold and wiring from the '90 - '94 Liberty. The '90 - '94 loom is well documented here and on other sites. The 06/94 - '96 loom is different but no harder to do, the ECU pin out is on here and I got wiring diagrams from the local library for the loom.

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]