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Impreza WRX STI Turbo swap in a VW Beetle

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maddmaxx Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#842298
I was doing a body off restoration on my 1974 standard beetle. I want to build a sleeper. Could i install the engine on the chassi and the lower the body on. I don't want to remove my rear apron i just welded. I want to use a 2007 Impreza WRX STI Turbo. Would this engine be to new or should i use a older model? It's a sleeper so i don't want to do a lot of cutting. As for the transmission what should i do it's stock. Where should i mount the turbo cooler also should i use a stock ecu and harness or after market. I'm located in the United States and the parts are a bit expensive so any help that would save me money and time would be great.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#842331
07 STi is probably fly by wire throttle, which is almost impossible to fit in an older car and if it has the CAN-Bus electrical system it will be even worse again, I'd look for something abit older.

The turbo engines take alot of cutting, there's no way around that as they are wider than beetle bumper mounts.

If you search on here for Mick58 STi conversion, it was fitted without removing the apron and only minimal firewall modding to clear the turbo with a small aftermarket chargecooler but it was also a very cramped engine bay like that.

STIDUB Over it.

1,497 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#842335
at world time attack last year there was a trade stand that made universal fly by wire throttle bodies & matching pedals... wish i asked the guy more about it, would open up alot of options in the later model conversion market 😀
and yep turbos need cutting, no way around it, want it minimal copy jaks or micks
want a cheap trans that should be able to handle abuse, subaru gears should be the most cost effective
also search this forum & look at others like germanlook & vwkd forums for more conversion info 🙂
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

maddmaxx Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#842336
Thanks a lot guys. I guess i will search for an older engine. What year should i be looking for? Is there a older engine out there with turbo that would have work? Reading other post i should go with A ej 20 OR 22 SOHC. Any thoughts on this idea?

maddmaxx Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#842337
Hey Joel will your set up work in my beetle?

maddmaxx Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#842340
i would cut the shelf out to get it in if i had to. I will check that out thanks.

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#842355
Hi

2 litre STIs are better motors than 2.5s according to my local Subaru expert, he has shelves full of blown 2.5s.

Steve

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#842364
maddmaxx wrote:Hey Joel will your set up work in my beetle?
Quite easily, your US 74 standard bug is the same as mine in the back, but my engine is a 2.2 non turbo though, well for a couple of days more anyway.

If you move the trans forward and lose the parcel tray you can still make a good sleeper with a charge cooler setup instead of an intercooler.