Hi,

Is anyone here running EFI on their Air Cooled VW Motor ?

Whats the new operating temps like in comparison to the Standard VW Air Cooled Motor ?

Are you happy with the performance ?

What other complications have you come across and are you happy with the fuel economy post the change ?

Thanks James

Mine hasn't been running long but economy seems good so far. I haven't bothered measuring ir because I'm still tinkering with the tune. If your ever down sydney way your welcome to have a look. One thing I would do next time is an IAC valve to assist with cold starts and general idle smoothness. I will stick one in when I get time, at the moment I just add ignition advance when cold.
What setup you thinking of?

Yeah, quite a few people who've done EFI conversions on air-cooled motors.... including me with a Haltech system on my race bug. See this thread.

Operating temps basically unchanged over the carbs, but then I had 'em working pretty well where the engine spends most of it's time.

I'm happy with the performance, but obviously still want more... it's a race car after all !!! Likewise I have care factor zero as far as fuel economy goes... I spend more on oil than I do fuel in a year.

Like SuperOwen I'm planning to throw an IAC in during the off-season, as well as putting in fuel correction off of head-temp and not just oil-temp like have now... just to make cold start and warmup simpler, and cos I can !!!

Hi

You will find that Dave and Owen who have posted above have gone the custom set up route and did a lot of work themselves, it can work out expensive that way depending on your ability.

I think the CB performance system for about $1800 us would be the way to go, I would only add surge tank / swirl pot to their system.

I used to have IDAs on a WBX motor, you had to plan every move to get the clutch and accelerator just right or the car could bog in the middle of an intersection, when I went EFI on that car it was like driving a Camry, no matter what you did the with your feet the car just went. Dave and Owen would have similar experiences.

Steve

Ill agree with dave about the coolant sensor as well. Oil temp works but the temperature the computer ideally needs for warm up is the intake port wall temperature. The extra fuel is to compensate for fuel sticking to the cold walls mainly. Oil temp works but is hardly ideal.
CB is great value if you want dual throttle bodies, a must if your planning a cammy na engine.

I'm running the CB kit but using a Megasquirt ECU to control it because it does the ignition as well (crank-trigger fire). The kit was relatively easy to put in and started first kick. Now to get the tuning right once a few other little hiccups are fixed.

EFI was the only sensible option for me because of the turbo, but I think it'd still be a great thing for n/a

Yeah, as Steve says the drivability with the EFI is just brilliant compared to carbs !!! Very smooth when dialled in, even with a fairly big cam like I have (FK87).

I have a big on my face every time I drive her, even if it's just round the block testing or down to the servo to fill up.

Good points made above about the CB kit also... not had personal experience with it, but looking through the specs, destructions and reviews in terms of value for money I reckon it's very hard to beat.

Care to share what you're planning ???

I've also been looking at the CB Quicktune kit. Just remember you need to add an electronic ignition system.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I am still undecided as to go water cooled EJ22 or EFI Air cooled VW ?
I am building a beach buggy with 31 x 10.5 tyres on the rear and require lots of torque rather than speed to get me through the sand and up hills etc but also be a average driver on the road.
I am doing some research on what sort of power difference I would get between a n/a 1915 EFI VW and a standard n/a EJ22 ? Obviously the engine capacity is different but curious on people opinions.
Fuel efficiency is always a plus for me

Whats your thoughts in comparing the two for my situation ?

Cheers James -

Subaru the only way to go
I got 7.6 litres per 100 Ks LAST TRIP in my Subaru bug
MY vw powered BEETLE USES 13L per 100

Comes down to what floats your boat really.
How much fabrication and setup work can you do yourself?
As much as I hate to say it, an ej22 running the factory computer etc could be a more sensible option.

If i did it again I'd just wack a pair of Weber IDA's on...

Quote:

Originally posted by reub If i did it again I'd just wack a pair of Weber IDA's on...

I'm setting up a CB Quicktune now, and I have about 8 or 9 Haltech air coolers under my belt. Reub isn't far off in reality. Less work and certainly carbs can be equally smooth IMO.

I'm fitting mexican manifold and TB, megasquirt efi and EDIS ignition to my Bus right now..... With a turbo on a stone stock 1600dp... Should make a very nice daily driver I reckon.
We shall see how it all works out.

Joel,

Do you have fabricated engine mounts for your EJ22 engine ?........ any pics ?

Or

Are you hanging the EJ22 off the VW Bell housing like a standard air cooled VW motor ?

Any mounting photos from anyone who has mounted a EJ22 to a VW gearbox would be more than helpful !

Cheers James

Hi James, it's just swung off the bellhousing with the forks strengthened by one of Craigs Kafer Bar kits



Been that way for 2 and half years and over 20,000kms and now with 170hp+ EJ25.

Thats all most of the converted Suba bugs getting around here have.

The SOHC non turbo engines are about 25kg heavier than a 1600 VW so I wouldn't recommend running with no bracing.
People do but the forks will bend eventually

Thanks Joel,

That is what I will do i think re mounting.
I was a little worried that the heavier EJ22 would crack the VW Bellhousing but it sounds like it works.
For the Gearbox are you using a 3 bolt nosecone mount or a 2 bolt earlier nosecone mount ? I was told that the 3 bolt mount would break ! Could that be true ?
And I am guessing that High Density Rubber mounts over urethane is the go ?

Cheers James

There's enough guys running round with EJ20 turbo engines which weigh more than a 22 and have alot more torque and haven't broken anything.

I'm using the stock 3 bolt front mount.
It is a shitty design compared to the earlier 2 bolt one but I doubt it would break unless you were doing something pretty silly.
I'm just running an original German mount which I fitted over 10 years ago now.

A Berg style mid mount would take most of the load of it.
Its been on my to-do list for years, I just f*ked up by running my coolant lines where the mounting lugs weld on.