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SVX Transporter!
humpty - March 9th, 2003 at 01:15 AM

Sorry to do this to some of you....But I had this idea over a decade ago...And now I'm doing it!
If only aircooled is your bag, then this may make you cry! But if, like me you are a HOTRODDER in the truest sense, then you'll understand!
Yes, thats it...I'm sticking an SVX (EG33) Subaru flat six into a VW transporter! The engine produces 240hp & 309Nm stock! That should be enough...For now! I still have the bug, and that will always be aircool!

[Edited on 8-3-2003 by humpty]


reub - March 9th, 2003 at 09:49 AM

:thumb's up.

Certainly will spice up the old bus.
Would love to see it if you do come up this way.

You should have a look at the bus at http://www.needforspeed.ca/stevefeature.asp

A race preped 911 turbo engine was stuffed in the back for a little more whoo hoo. There are a couple of great mpeg's to download as well.

http://www.needforspeed.ca/img/features/steve/sideleft-BIG.jpg


56astro - March 9th, 2003 at 05:53 PM

Tell us more

You know we want it!

:bounce


humpty - March 10th, 2003 at 03:23 PM

Ok....The bus is a standard Transporter Panelvan with 5 speed transaxle...I haven't decided if I'll slam it or jack it up....Maybe both! Airbags would be nice....I could stick the 16's on for the street & offroaders for holidays! The harness is nearing completion & have the clutch/flywheel/adaptor set-up ready. Hopefully the engine will be going into the car in the next few weeks, then I'll get started on the exhaust & engine mount fabrication... As we go I'll be adding some more images...As i only have one day week to work on it. This could take a while!

[Edited on 10-3-2003 by humpty]


humpty - March 10th, 2003 at 03:26 PM

Man this is a lot of work!


Doug Sweetman - March 11th, 2003 at 09:58 AM

Bring it on !!!!! This van will be the definition of a true sleeper (especially if the body finish on the exterior is as per the harness shot above !!!)

Very very nice idea.

One question - how the f!@k did you find a wiring diagram for it ? I looked into conversions a while back and the difficulty in getting the full wiring diagram was one of the big killers for me....


baybuscamperkid - March 11th, 2003 at 04:24 PM

[size=6]MAD![/size]
[size=3]what did the engine cost? what year is it? im set up with a 1.6 subi, wonder if one of these would fit?[/size]


humpty - March 12th, 2003 at 12:39 AM

Finally...I have completed the harness! The SVX is nothing like the EJ engines...And there are loads of differences between markets...I have wiring diagram (copies) from the Australian import model (From understanding local dealer) & the US import too (from KEP in the US) but my front cut is a Japanese market model! So it is plenty confusing!
The EJ engines have plenty of info available to mod the harness but there is ZIP for the EG33!

But I have it now!

Almost!

I just have to tidy it up & temporary rap it for the test run...Can't wait!
Next Tuesday comes the tidy up & the clean out of the engine bay. Then I have to switch my bell-housing for a WBX version (my car is a TDI). Then fab the engine mounts, exhaust, fuel system & cooling system.

Oh & splice the harness into the Vanagon harness....

Yes there is still a ways to go! Up until now I haven't worked on a water bottle b4, let alone EFI management! What a learning curve!

baybuscamperkid
I paid only $2800 Aus for the front cut from a local Subi importer. And yes it might just fit into a late bay...A better choice would be a EJ22 or 25. The EJ20T would be nice but I think you might have problem with clutches v weight of the bus. The EJ20T in a Notch or a Fastback is a whole other deal!

Hey Doug....The Transporter is pig ugly, very straight but ugly! I will tidy it up a bit...Not too much! Ever sell your Sub?


syncro - March 12th, 2003 at 01:10 PM

Nice one Humpty,
that will be an awsome ride I totally love driving my stock powered syncro, but the extra ponies would be nice!



have you seen this?http://www.smallcar.com/vx.htm


Doug Sweetman - March 12th, 2003 at 06:01 PM

Nope, unfortunately :(

Doesnt seem to be alot of interest in them currently. Its still in the auto trader and the sunday times for $13,500, but if it doesnt sell soon I might have to put it in the auto auctions.

Are you doing the work at home or in Kurts ?


humpty - March 13th, 2003 at 11:07 PM

Hey syncro....
Yeah I know about Smallcar. nice little outfit in the US. Brian is the name of the owner...He & I have been in touch for some time...He's interested in my exhaust idea...May market it, if it works out!

What gives with my pictures? They were there yesterday?


paulr - August 15th, 2003 at 08:45 AM

Humpty
Just reading your post on the eg 33 evidently Bill Sherman form shermans conversion fame has one of these fitted into a bay bus running on LPG
Paul


humpty - August 18th, 2003 at 01:09 AM

Hey Paul....I'd like to know more....Have you seen any pictures? Apparantely there was one (WBX-SVX) at the Nationals this year and there is suppose to be some images of it on the ClubVW web site...But I have been unable to find them.....Maybe Steve can help....Anybody intouch with the man?


1303Steve - August 18th, 2003 at 11:03 PM

Hi Humpty

Here are the SCX pics

1302Steve


http://www.clubvw.org.au/images/488-8810_IMG.jpg


And the ute it was in,

http://www.clubvw.org.au/images/488-8811_IMG.jpg


Cam - August 18th, 2003 at 11:37 PM

I've seen this done in a couple of places on the 'net. Can't remember where though.

Sounds like a mad conversion!


humpty - August 19th, 2003 at 12:11 AM

Cheers Steve...Thanks for the shots....Anyone know the guy that owns it? I'd like to now more.
Like hows he run the coolant lines/burp tank/heater. Exhaust? Sump? What's it like to drive?


Just the usual Q's!

Hey Cam....I know of a few of the cars in the US....In regular contact with the owners....Theres' a mad one being built in NZ....4 wheel disc brakes, race suspension, G50/50 LSD Transaxle and maybe a Supercharger too!


1303Steve - August 19th, 2003 at 12:26 AM

Hi Humpty

That ute was already water cooled, I think he was a Nats sponsor, it may have been from Brookvale spares. As far as header tanks go, the usually T3s have heaps of problems with air locks, I have no problems with mine, I made sure I mounted the header tank higher than the radiator, I drilled a tiny hole in my thermostat, this allows me to fill my cooling system no worries, the hole allows the coolant to flow to both sides of the thermostat.

1302Steve


Herbie - August 19th, 2003 at 12:38 AM

It will go like a rocket
It will corner like a rocket and
It will stop just like a rocket.
IE fall apart or explode on impact.

Go for it it will be wicked,
My old RX2 had about 300 hp and standard old brakes and worn suspension
You learn to drive accordingly. :D
Cheers Tony


Baja Wes - October 3rd, 2003 at 08:00 AM

humpty, I moved your original post into this forum, and left a link in the members ride section. So you only have one post to update.

So how's the progress been lately? Should be a nice conversion.


humpty - October 3rd, 2003 at 10:22 AM

Hey Wes...Been a bit slow lately....Back at work full time and no workshop at home, means no spare time to get down to the farm (40k's away!) to work on it!..Still collecting the bits I need to finish...If I had about 2 weeks (maybe over christmas/newyear) solid time I could finish it! Engine is in, engine mounts & exhaust need fabbing, then it's time to hook it all up.
God I wish I had a shed...The van would never fit in my carport...Barely fit's my bug!

How's you BAJA?...Smoked any monster trucks lately?

Thanks for moving the link and thanks for creating this section in the forum.


Baja Wes - October 3rd, 2003 at 10:40 AM

Actually it was Brad the created this section.

The Baja is going very well. The amount of traction it gets is insane. I love the sequential EFI, and the sweet sound of the V6 on song. But enough about my car, this post is about your conversion. :thumb


hazet - October 24th, 2003 at 08:59 AM

What about g/boxes?
I was told the 5spd box won't hold the grunt of anything more powerful than the stock donk.
Haven't heard about the guy with the ej25
for a while.


T25Turbo - October 24th, 2003 at 04:26 PM

We're currently putting 130Kw(EJ25, due to shorter exhaust, airbox mods, dyno proven 85kw at wheels) through a standard T3 5spd gear box and it handles it no worries.

The EJ25 is a nice engine, but the SVX 3.3 would be nicer!!


humpty - October 28th, 2003 at 12:30 AM

The basic 5 spd tranaxle is the same as the 4 spd. The gear widths are the same, the syncros are the same. The only difference appart from the "nose" of the case is one of the shafts are longer. As for strength...It's not an issue...Stick an Subi engine off one of these transaxles and eventually it will give up! The SVX engine has similar power/torque to RS/WRX engine but with much smoother power delivery, so theoretically it should last longer...as long as I'm nice to it!
I do know of a few getting around in the US that are running the SVX/4 spd combo in full spec camper SYNCROS...And these cars are pretty serious off roaders...Sofar so good.

Besides...I like a challenge & I'm saving my pennys for a G50/50 with an LSD!


paulr - December 8th, 2003 at 09:38 PM

Bill Sherman from Sherman Conversions has a Bay camper with an SVX engine in it as far as I know


T25Turbo - December 9th, 2003 at 01:10 PM

Humpty,

If you're still interested, see link below.

And his name is John Sherman, not Bill!

http://volksweb.relitech.com/subaru.htm 


tonyg - December 9th, 2003 at 07:56 PM

G'day Simon, and other interested ppl.
John Sherman has 2 SVX half cuts, is looking for a wedge dual cab to carry out a conversion. He has a bay with a subie 1800 also and drives an SVX as a road car. He knows of 2 already on road SVX conversions in qld I think...
Mine (EJ25) is almost complete and will be on road tomorrow or thurs.. sure runs nice but not road tested yet.. can't wait.....
tonyg


humpty - December 11th, 2003 at 11:35 PM

Congrats on your conversion Tonyg...I'm well jealous you can bet. Thanks for the link to shermann's conversion...I'll have look right now!
Finishing off an IRS conversion for a splitty (My old 61 slammed panel on 17's...God I miss that car!) at the moment...Seem to be working on everyone else's cars...The bastards have shed's!


Just had a look...I remember that story...Like to see some of the SVX conversions out there!


Daniel - December 22nd, 2003 at 01:09 PM

You mentioned earlier about a bus being done over here in New Zealand. Do you have any other info on it, if it is close I might be able to get some pics of it to post. I've heard about some other crazy stuff being built over here as well recently.


humpty - December 25th, 2003 at 02:24 AM