SOHC EJ25 Syncro Conversion On the Road. Now With Photos.

type2nut Officially Full-On Dubber

223 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 22 Oct 2005, 9:23 pm

#420447

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/images/smilies/christmastree.gif

I bled the cooling system, tidied up the electricals and did 30kms on it today.
What an absolute blast it is to drive.
What a huge improvement on the original waterboxer.
Two months of work seems like a small price to pay for this much FUN!

I'd recommend it to anyone.

I'll post some piccies when I can get around to it.

Cheers,

Andy.
2003 SOHC EJ25 in a 1990 Caravelle GL Syncro.

Can't wait to test it out on some of the tracks around here. Ooohhhhh Yessss.

[ Edited on 22-10-2005 by type2nut ]

[ Edited on 27-10-2005 by type2nut ]

[ Edited on 1-11-2005 by type2nut ]

type2nut Officially Full-On Dubber

223 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 27 Oct 2005, 10:29 pm

#422336

Got the VSS system hooked up today and it is running sooo much better. More power and SMOOTH.
Also got the coolant system properly bled. Drilled and tapped a thread on the thermostat housing and inserted a spiggot through which I pumped the (rain) water. Also drilled a hole in the thermostst itself so as to aid bleeding.
I will fill the systyem with coolant on the weekend and the auto sparkie will be aroung tomorrow to help me hook up the check engine light and the air con system.
God I LOVE this engine!

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 28 Oct 2005, 9:14 am

#422444

Great feeling isn't it?

I had to drill the thermostat too. Bled the system automatically by doing that. I have a header tank higher than the top of the motor, so that made it easier too. I suppose with the higher engine bay of a bay bus I had more room to do it.

I had to hook up the VSS too to get it to work properly.

Have fun.

EJ22 into Bay Microbus - Finished project build thread- click on this spot here for info

Southern Van Officially Full-On Dubber

243 posts · joined Apr 2004 · 28 Oct 2005, 11:52 am

#422490

Good stuff Andy. What happened to the old motor,was it stuffed? I want to put the same engine in mine but the original is still going good.Hope it blows up so I can do the same. Have you done the spare wheel carrier? Mine went on yesterday.

Kombi_Rescue Wolfsburg Wizard

440 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 28 Oct 2005, 7:55 pm

#422620

just a friendly word of warning with the extra torgue supplied via the subie mod.....take it easy on the race starts as the c/w pinion is a weak link!..its also a good idea to get the pinion nut tigthened on a regular basis or use the off road pionion nut for the 2.0l aircooled box as they are the same nut....be atuned to any sound changes thru thre transaxle..this may prevent costly future repairs...keep up the castrol syntrax oil ...also recommend a decoupler as the old viscous may get a bit shell shocked from the extra power.....cheers ...hows your ground clearence? any photos please cheers steve

type2nut Officially Full-On Dubber

223 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 31 Oct 2005, 9:52 pm

#423526

Thanks for your replies/questions folks.

My old motor was going fine EXCEPT for the coolant leaking from the heads. It wasn't always leaking but it was always seeping. It is my wifes daily driver (lucky b*#*h!) and living where we do, with her driving to Adelaide and back, with 4 kids under 6 it was only a matter of time before a more serious leak staretd.
At least that's what I told her!!!
Also we were both pretty pissed off at not being able to overtake road trains safely.
I don't have my spare wheel carrier sorted yet Southern Van.
I'd love to see some shots of yours if you can.

Kombi Rescue I wish I'd known about tightening the c/w pinion nut whilst I had the gearbow out! And don't worry, I won't be doing any race starts. I am well aware of the fact that there are some weaknesses in the Syncro tranny. Mine had new bearings through it about 35000 miles ago and I fitted a decoupler as soon as I bought it 30000 miles ago. Thanks for the tips though.

I WILL post piccies soon.

type2nut Officially Full-On Dubber

223 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 1 Nov 2005, 9:56 pm

#423885

Some photos as promised I hope. I haven't done it for ages and I've never done it with our new iMac.
There is oen very big difference between this conversion and any other (so far) in Australia. In fact there is only one other in the world that has this feature and is up and running.
Yes I am gloating a little because I am rather pleased with it all!
And I reckon it is the way to go.....

type2nut Officially Full-On Dubber

223 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 1 Nov 2005, 10:11 pm

#423901

Some photos as promised I hope.

There is one very big difference between this conversion and any other (so far) in Australia. In fact there is only one other in the world that has this feature and is up and running so far.
Yes I am gloating a little because I am rather pleased with it all!

And I reckon it is the way to go.....

I'm more than happy to take shots of any other part of the conversion but you'll have to be quick or wait until next year as the van is going to Adelaide on Thursday and we are all flying to the UK until New Year on Thursday week.
I will answer any questions in the mean time and I do have more photos already but don't want to load too many up.

Cheers,

Andy.

PS. Yes I'm a crap welder and no I DIDN'T weld up the crossmember! I did tack the bits of it in position though.

[ Edited on 1-11-2005 by type2nut ]

[ Edited on 1-11-2005 by type2nut ]

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 3 Nov 2005, 12:11 am

#424316

I just fitted a low coolent alarm to mine .If the water level drops the allarm goes off in the cab & a light comes on > sounds like a horn will give you a fright !

PS I hate those hose clamps on the lower hose

You can see my filler in the right corner , bleads as you fill the system

[ Edited on 2-11-2005 by seagull ]

1 attachment · Log in to view

Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 3 Nov 2005, 12:15 am

#424317

headers

1 attachment · Log in to view

Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 3 Nov 2005, 12:18 am

#424318

Soory if you told us this , the adapter plate were di you purchase this looks good quality .

Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

ricola Wolfsburg Wizard

437 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 3 Nov 2005, 1:43 am

#424328

is it an rjes bellhousing?
Rich

http://www.ricola.co.uk

type2nut Officially Full-On Dubber

223 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 3 Nov 2005, 9:07 am

#424390

Spot on Rich!

I managed to get hold of prototype no. 2 from Richard.
I am exteremly impressed with the quality of this product.
It utilises standard mounts for VW at the transaxle end, and Subaru at the engine end which provides a much more secure mating between the bellhousing and the engine.
It uses the Subaru starter and clutch plate.
As I said, the quality of and attention to detail in this chaps products almost defy belief.

I am going to the UK next week and as it happens will be staying only 10 miles from where Richard lives. He has for sale whole kits, - bellhousing, crossmember etc etc.
They will work with any Bay or 80's Kombi and he is/has developed a version for the turbo pull type clutch too.

They are a real step forward with our conversions (IMHO) and I feel very priviledged to have this bellhousing as part of my conversion.
Again, as I said, I will be meeting Richard soon and having a look at all of his conversion parts in the flesh.

Cheers,

Andy.

PS Seagull - Do you mean thos standard VW hose clamps?

richbaker78 Casual Dubber

38 posts · joined Oct 2005 · 3 Nov 2005, 7:58 pm

#424569

nice one - thats a spot on job. Good work getting no 2!! I have no 12 and cant say how impressed I am with RJES bell housing - like you say its a lovely bit of kit and very competitively priced. should be putting mine together WC 11th November :-). MOre pics please :-)

555bug WRX Bug Boy

1,123 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Nov 2005, 8:21 pm

#424580

if you get a chance could you u2u/email me some details on how to get in contact with the bellhousing guy? I'm interested 🙂

type2nut Officially Full-On Dubber

223 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 3 Nov 2005, 9:50 pm

#424644

Email me if you are interested
raredownunder@yahoo.co.uk

I'll be meeting up with Richard while in the UK.
I'm leaving next Thursday for 7 weeks off work. :bounce :bounce

If enough people are interested I can try organising a bulk buy to get a few more of these on our roads.

Let me know on the email address soon.

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 3 Nov 2005, 10:27 pm

#424669

Yes type 2nut , the claps that you use pliers to remove , lower hose .

Looks like a very good conversion , well done , seagull

Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake