As most of you are aware I blew my engine up big time on Sunday,

I am trying to work through my options and am quite open to going water cooled if that is the best option.

There is a complete kombi in the trading post which is an unfinished project in the trading post, It has a reconditioned 86 Subaru (brumby) engine with a 2 litre box, with conversion plate in it installed. The watercooling is all there but not installed. The rest of the car is apparently in pretty good nick but has no electricals. It is advertised for $1600 but I should be able to get it for $1500. Im thinking I could take what I want and sell off the rest and recoup some cash.

Has anyone else done or seen this conversion and what are your opinions? Or are there any other suggestions?

I currently have a 1600 box and am looking to upgrade this to a 2 litre box in change over.

I have a few options open at the moment for a 2 litre engine and gearbox which I should be able to get for around $1500.

Should I take this option or look at water cooled?

Opinions appreciated.

Bill (Glen)

What do you think

think of it this way. It may be a bitch to set up to start with but once it is done if you ever blow another motor like you did on teh weekend just pop down to teh wreckers and with a few hundred bucks you will have another low milage jap motor ready to go.Oh and more power wouldn`t be a bad thing eaither

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Might be more work to start off but could be cheaper in the long run.

OOOOOOh, but I do like the sound of an air cooled engine:thumb

i have a V6 commodore motor with all electrics,computer,the cross member to mount it all adaptor plate to suit an 1800 bellhousing half made exhaust(extractors) with cataylac convertor yours for $800
the motor is a series 2 VN motor with 137000 km's on it
cheers
rhys

So what's the catch. Sounds too good to be true.

u gotta come to my house and get it and i need the money!!!
cheers
rhys

Very tempting. What do I need to do to get it in the kombi and running:o

u need to either put ur 1600 belhousing on a 2L box and get a brand new sachs 215mm clutch (gotta be this),wire it all up and fit a radiator oh and also u need a reduction starter motor (will burn out original ones after cranking for 2-3 times)these cost about $350-$400 from either shermans or luke pell
cheers
rhys

So how much to get it on the road you think, not including the 2 litre box?

A good running type 4 motor can't be that hard to find?
Besides all you really need is a case and conrod isn't it?

type 4 motors have an indestructable bottom end you know

Hope your running again soon :thumb

depending on what u use
where u mount your radiator
i wouldnt know what it would cost cause what i was gonna use was all going to be new and i was gonna use stainless pipe running to the radiator !?!?! i say u could get away with it for less then $1500 including the cost of the motor etc
cheers
rhys

Just trying to keep my options open andy. Looking at what comes up this week and will take the plunge this weekend. Wouldn't mind buyiing a complete engine and keeping what's good on mine for spares. The problem is I don't know how bad mine is until I pull it out and have a really good look.

you keen or should i advertise it on the buying and selling?
cheers
rhys

There's a 2 litre (allegedly) for sale at:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2459617550&cate...

hth

had aircooled 2L for years.. great engine when good.. pain in the proverbial when bad. Have now converted to EJ25 in T3.. and I'm converted...wow....this is how vw should have done it in the first place. ppl think its still vw because it sounds like one. only way to go imho...good luck with whatever you decide
tonyg

the thing to sheck with the subi engine is the capacity. it will be either a 1600 or 1800. the 1600 is basically equivelant to an 1800 VW engine, where as the 1800 (ea81 model) is quite a nice engine, moderately more powerful then anything in the standard VW range, and reliable. of course you can convert a 1600 setup to 1800, as they bolt straight up, but this would mean the cost of another engine for you.

put the cost of the EJ20T motor which is around $3K for the front cut against V8 power i just have the liking for big 8's not really a fast 4's man :P
cheers
rhys
p.s. although they are great engines

I'm super impressed with my v6 bus.
so are all the wanna be race boys I blow away off the lights.
and yeah, parts are much cheaper, and easier to find.
you can't reliably get that kind of power from a VW engine for that cheap.
I know it's sacreligious, put it's practical, and economical.
If you can get over the moral dilemma of cross breeding the pure blood, it's worth the exercise.

I second that!!!!!!
it's a thought process you have to get your head around
:jesus

Looks like i'm going the 2 litre air cooled option. The watercooled 1800 subaru seems quite tempting but a good complete 2 litre engine has turned up for the right price and is the easyest option to get the old girl back on the road.

Thanks for all you input. I have not riden off the whole watercoole option totally. Would really like to put a V6 donk in her one day down the track. However, this will need to wait until I have enough $$$$ and time to do it properly.

Although didnt someone have a 2.8l vr6 for sale? That would be a top engine for a kombi,and its still in the family.......