Hey guys (and girls).

I've been looking into converting Zelda to an EJ22 and it'll end up costing me around $4,000. That isn't including my own labour of getting the plumbing and all that done.

My question is, is it worth me spending that $4,000 on getting a 1916cc? Which will then just be a drop in replacement, with no need to modify anything other that just mounting it in?

This is a serious issue as well, as I need to decide within the next couple of days what route to take. I've heard that a 1916cc can keep up with the big boys, but surely nothing can beat the power of a N/A EJ22 when it comes to a Type 1 engine?

Any insight, anything, would be greatly appreciated!

Look at it this way, you're comparing 1930's technology to 1990's technology

My thoughts exactly. But is it worth such a massive conversion?

I won't be selling my car, no questions asked, so is it worth me just jumping the gun and do the Subaru conversion now or do I do a 1916cc and then later on do the Subaru conversion?

My idea is to just do the conversion. But want to know other peoples suggestions/opinions before doing so.

Well to me it all comes down to what you want from the car.

There is no doubt that having an EJ engine in it will make it more reliable, more economical and quieter, and usually with much more power. It will add weight which will blunt the power improvement a little, and will change the handling, but there are many good reasons to go down that path (including the potential of using a 5 speed, air con etc).

However, one of the reasons I haven't gone down that path (yet), is that I still struggle with why I wouldn't just go out and buy a Subaru rather than doing it to the Beetle. I realise that an awful lot of people don't have that hang up and that it might be peculiar to me, but there is something about an air cooled motor that makes it the heart and soul. One day I might do it, but at this stage the heart says no. My thoughts might be influenced by the fact that my Beetle is my toy, and I have another car to drive everywhere. If the Beetle was my only car then I might be slightly more pragmatic and less emotional about it.

So then, if you don't share my hangs up about whether it is air cooled or not AND you are confident that the cost of the conversion is realistic, then it is an easy decision. EJ all the way.

Do a search on the topic as it has been covered many times in the past. At the end of the day though, it comes down to what YOU want more than anything else as both have strengths and weaknesses.

Yogie

A subi conversion is a huge job and it's abit hard to put a $4k price tag on it, will probably cost more than that depending on how much you pay to have done and the quality of the conversion or it may cost less, I reckon I could do mine for about $2.5k if I did it again cos I learned alot of lessons first time round..

But by the same token $4k is not going to buy you much of a 1916, certainly not one that's gonna keep up with the big boys, work on double that figure.

$4k barely builds a quality stock 1600 properly these days.

also consider the engineering requirements of going the EJ22 route.

Yes - a 1916 should be engineered as well, but...............................

Yep you would be right on the money with the price of a 1916 Joel. I pick up the wifes car tommorrow with a brand new 1916, and all up it costed about 10k drive away including all ancilleries. Its true..you need to know what you want out of the car Seb..otherwise you'll waste your money in the wrong areas and on the wrong parts..you would of spent a shit load of money and the car would probably still look the same..

Snitz,
You're right, I've already spent a lot of cash on Zelda and she still looks like a beetle, and sounds like a beetle.
But you can see where I've spent the money. It has a sound system (definitely an upgrade from the previous speaker box) and I've gotten rid of the torana taillights.
The only thing, money wise, that I've wasted I reckon is on the engine that I just put in her...

Hence why I'm tossing up just selling the engine and buying a half cut Liberty, grabbing everything out of that and dumping it into Zelda.
That's the plan anyway.

What! Just for a ej22.. dude don't pay more than $700 for a good one.

Yeah, they want $1,650 for everything...
Was a half cut for $1,400 and then $250 for the labour to get the engine, wiring loom, and ECU out...

I will keep my eyes on eBay and the sort for a cheap EJ22 then.

If anyone knows anyone, hit me up!

Yeah it's from a wreckers as a package loom/ecu etc.
They always charge like wounded bulls.

Still alot dearer than a donor car which you can buy for half of that and sell off the left over parts (gearbox, panels, interior, shell for scrap)
But you gotta have room and resources to do that.

What Jak said has merit.
Main reason I didn't go that way was I don't like the way the bumper mounts get cut out to clear the timing belt covers.
A simple tap up the arse by a P-plater txting while driving would cause alot more damage than it would normally.

Also I didn't want to lose the rear parcel tray.
You can get a lot of HP out of the N/A engines with some work.
Mine with a better header setup and some tweaked aftermarket management would easy make over 200hp but even at the 175hp it has now it's a hoot to drive and scares alot of people

Yessir, that is why it is going to cost a heap.

I found someone on Gumtree, $550 for the engine. I just sent them a text about matching wiring loom and ECU.
Will see what happens.

Yeah, I will stick with the standard gearbox position and just get a SOHC for now.
It is the only thing I can run for the next however many years until I'm 25.

I definitely don't want to lose the parcel tray, let alone the rear seat.
That's there as I have a small sister that I will take to and from school in it, and she's only allowed to sit in the rear of a car.

Joel, 150hp is a massive upgrade from a 36hp engine...
I don't need anything massive.

Jak,
You wouldn't happen to have a build thread anywhere or any images of the actual engine placement and everything anywhere would you?
Would love to see what you've done in comparison to others.

Yeah, 175,000+ is a bit high for my liking too. Found one with a lot less somewhere which is cool.

Thanks again!

Thanks Jak!

Damn those videos are good!

You have to ask ....... how come there's not more Subi's entered at WSID this weekend........

I know that Joel is running an EJ25 block with EJ22 size heads because the EJ25 heads were too large to fit without body modifications...

I think I'll stick with the EJ22. Found one for $550 here in Adelaide, asked about wiring loom and ECU, just waiting for a reply now.

Quote:

Originally posted by matberry You have to ask ....... how come there's not more Subi's entered at WSID this weekend........

Alrighty.

For $700, I can get ECU, wiring loom and EJ22 with 222,000kms.
Has had timing belt replaced and water pump as well.

Is that a large amount of kilometres? What's the estimated maximum for a Subaru?
It'll be daily driven, but I only work five minutes from home. It could easily last me five more years I reckon...

What are your thoughts?

Is this any help?

Subaru Conversion For Sale

Have for sale Subaru kit, excess to requirements.
Sherman adaptor set-up, with 215mm clutch, all assembled.
EJ22 engine low km jap, plus another spare genuine 132,000km
Shotened loom, ECU, air flow meter, reversed air intake, manual.

All you need is Raditor and hoses

Asking $2000, can deliver within reason---

Geoff's Auto Studio 0407968021

gasyerra@westnet.com.au

Photos

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Photo

Have contacted email above.

Very keen.

Delivery to Adelaide?

Seems a better deal then just buying the engine and doing it all myself.
Keen, keen and more keen!

vlad01,
Yeah, very expensive for what they have on the clock.

I'll probably be going with what AA003 is selling.
Sounds like a great deal.

ej25 with sohc heads then turbo it once your off your P's , i know of a ej22 kit thats coming up for sale but its from a bay window so flywheel is 228 all new rad from a t3 and exhaust all loom done and has been in car for a while , cranky kit , t3 expansion tank new vss think he's chasing 1500-2000

Klaus,
Any images? Any contact information?

Depending on AA003 and what happens,
This will probably be runner up.

Thanks for the information mate!

I can't drive it until I'm 25 anyway.

Turbo is a no go until I'm 25 in SA.
Not fair at all.

But then again, it is very fair. I understand that kids on their P's and that are younger than 25 shouldn't drive high powered vehicles.
I just want to do something different and cool, and I think doing a Subaru conversion in a bug, not many people under the age of 19 can say that they have done a Subaru conversion on their VW.

Also, sent you an email AA003, well, the email in your post that is. Hope you got it and can hit me up as soon as possible. Would love to get this project on the road before I'm 18 even...