Hey All... i got a 74 kombi given to me (its my first VeeDubb) and was wondering what engines are available and roughly how much would it cost for a conversion??? From others experience what would you recommend???
PackY

starting point - what is your budget and what do you want the engine to do?

i would like something with a bit more power... probably looking to spend bout $1500-$2000

For that amount of money you will be able to fully reco the top end, new barrels and pistons etc. This will get you some reliability but no more power than you have got other than removing any wear.

You may be able to buy a Subaru motor for that money, but you will spend thousands more fitting it?

I cant think of any actual conversions you would be able to do for that money.

thanks for the help... it gives an idea... Cheers

I can...and I have all of it...

You could also go for nissan or toyota or mazda engine they are cheaper and do a good job

mmmmm....

Hi PackY and welcome to the Forum. You will have to excuse dakdat for being a wanker and not just telling you he has a 2L Nissan Conversion for sale to suit a Bay Window Kombi. He must think it is some sort of funny to avoid answering your question. Anyway since he is in Sydney and you are up here in God's Country we will continue.

For that sort of money I would be looking at an EA 82 ( Subaru 1.8L ) conversion. You can pick them up pretty cheap and they are a great fit. Also the 2L Nissan / Datsun Motors are also good but you often have to modify the engine cover by adding a few inches to get at everything.

Anyway do a search on here and you will find a few examples

It ain't 4 sale..I would not recommend it...and NO to modifing the engine cover by adding a few inches to get at everything.


Brad...it's been a few years..I see nothing as changed..just thought you might have grown up...o'well not the case.

mmm grown up ... nah not me .. then again it isn't me who feels a need to have several ids in an attempt to rip people off and hide who he is.... now is it wanted, 3.5lte Buggy, DakDat, Dak Dat Buggy and no doubt a few more if I bother to look. So you gunna change again soon since your cover is blown ... ???:cry

Thanks Bradley...i was wondering how to explain the name change...you saved me a lot of typing...that is if anyone gives a toss....

Who is this Dak Dat guy anyway brad?

BACK TO THE TOPIC! i would have to say that the Ea82 or 81 is the way to go with your budget. if you are clever you can get the conversion done quite cheaply. the Ea82 is the higher powered of the engines, but the 81 is much simpler to work with. i am currently fitting an Ea81 to my bus, it is just about up and running (a couple of electrical problems and a starter motos shim to sort out) and it so far owes me about $900 total, including engine and all conversion bits (not counting labour (mine and friends) and the engine mount, as that came with the car).

you are best off getting a rusty or crashed complete subi with a low kays original or imported engine as you are guaranteed to have all of the parts that you need, plus a few that can be adapted for other purposes (such as the aircon and heater from the subi and the nice front bucket seats).

Just to let everyone know -

dakdat buggy's other names have been amalagated into just the one account, so he will not be using the previous names from here on in.

Brad / dakdat - please keep it civil and on topic or I will delete this thread, even though it is useful.

Andrew

Thanks everyone... i'll suss out some subi's and see what i can find... yeah i am doing the body work that has to be done and hoping to get that finished within the next month or so... so it gives me a while to work out what i am gonna do...

PackY

There is a bloke in a 71 odd beetle in perth who runs an EA81 (jap spec, twin carby version) - licence plate subdub. It seemed to get along pretty swiftly - he ran in a few classic rally's. Looked like a real neat conversion - the EA81 is a very compact motor too.

will let u know how one goes in about a month when i get mine on the road:thumb

Just an additional question...
What's the most costly part, the adaptor bits, or the motor?

have a look at 71 superbug three down will give you some idea as I did a cost sheet for him.

adaptor is cheap about $600, motor is the dearest part depending on what you do to your gearbox.
cheers