I recently just bought a kombi,think its an 1800.how do you tell what size the engines are?was just wondering how hard it is to convert an automatic to a manual box?also need any info i can get on EA81 engine conversion for kombis as well.all the info you have will be greatly appreciated!!do you think all this is worth while.i have the suby engine but havent purchased manual vw box yet.

some big questions there,

Re engine sizes, you can apparently tell by engine number prefix, but i am no authority on this, so better somone else answer that one,

re gearbox swap, i believe it is easier to go auto to manual, than visa versa, but not straight forward, you need to get all the shifter linkages and driveshafts from a manual, not just the box,

as for the conversion, the engine is only part of the cost, you also need:
adaptor plate ~ 600-700,
Cooling system 500 to 1500, dpending on how you want to do it
crossmember bout a few hundred
exhaust few hundred at least
modification certification plate ~100

you can save costs if you do some yourself, however you need time and the tools and the skills.

the ea81 is also a dinosaur of an engine, and not my choice of the suby range. they do go well in a kombi, but you would be better to look at the newer ej series in my opinion.
as far as i know, nobody specialises in the ea series conversions, however if you give Custom Off Road a call (forum sponsor) they will give you an itemised bill for a drive in drive out ej22 conversion.

Yep definitley have a cruise around the "Non VW engine Conversions" section of the forum.

It wont cost much more to put a a later EJ22 Suby motor in other than the fact you dont have the motor. You will then have a bigger, fuel injected 2.2 litre motor with more torque and newer parts.

Your choice, and it will cost you less to go EA81 as you already have the motor.

Yeah to convert the box you will have to put every part of the manual system in. Shift linkages, clutch pedal, clutch cable, cable tube. Ring a few VW mechanics and ask them how much to do the job, and it will give you more of an idea on what is involved.

Good Luck

i think col is going a little over board with the costs. my bay is running an EA81, if you have the donor car as well you get:
cooling system $free (providing yu dont mind cutting a hole in your rear hatch)
bellhousing and flywheel $650+
exhaust $350+
mine cost me $500 for a donor car with low Ks jap import engine, $350 new flywheel, $350 new clutch, engine mount only needs very small modifications from original 2l mount (brackets for subi rubber engine blocks and for rad if you use subi one), $50 second hand bellhousing, $425+GST exhaust

if you are in melbourne you can come and see it once its registered.

An 1800 motor engine number should start with the letters AP, or maybe AW if it's from some other place (overseas) where pollution controls or something meant they were different. My two 1800's both are AP's.