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crossmember for EJ20 ??
72RSbug - October 3rd, 2005 at 09:45 PM

how come it seems some can get away with not having a crossmember under the engine?
Mine vibrates way to much when starting in 1st gear and I need to make my own crossmember.

All pics of crossmembers for Subaru engines in VW Bugs are higly appreciated.

[ Edited on 3-10-2005 by 72RSbug ]

ricola - October 3rd, 2005 at 11:11 PM

Probably because people are tying in the framehorns for strength and the stock Subaru engine mounts are so close to the bellhousing/rear cradle anyway...

Rich

72RSbug - October 3rd, 2005 at 11:44 PM

Quote:

Probably because people are tying in the framehorns for strength



I have done that already, installed a Käfer cup brace but engine still vibrates way to much. Idle is very smooth but when I want to engage 1st gear it wants to break away from the gearbox it seems.

VWCOOL - October 4th, 2005 at 11:44 AM

Check your front gearbox mount - sometimes they look okay, but in fact are de-laminated and allow the nose of the gearbox to 'dance'

Jak Rizzo - October 4th, 2005 at 02:10 PM

I had exactly the same thing when I finished my car, I replaced the Bowden (?) tube for the clutch cable with a new one, the shuddering went away.
Hope this helps
regards
Jak

ratbug - October 4th, 2005 at 07:02 PM

I decided to put in a crossmember to use the subaru mounts because it didnt like the idea of all the weight and power hanging off four little bolts (esp. offroad). I put some RHS up each side of the motor (underneath) to support the roll cage and I made the crossmember bolt onto the top of it. I got some pics of the chassis and RHS on my website.
The crossmember is made out of 5mm flat bar and angle in two seperate section allowing it to unbolt without taking the mounts off. To make it, I bolted the engine up using the usual vw mounts, then put a jack under the engine to lift it up a few mm, then tack welded the bits together on the car.

The crossmember


http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~ddat/xmember/xmember_top.jpg
http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~ddat/xmember/xmember_bottom.jpg

Below is the RHS rail with mounting hole on the left side, subaru mount on the right.
http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~ddat/xmember/mount2rail.jpg

[ Edited on 4-10-2005 by ratbug ]

ricola - October 4th, 2005 at 07:31 PM

What's your website url ratbug?

ratbug - October 4th, 2005 at 10:14 PM

Sorry, it dissapeared from my profile again, http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~ddat/

72RSbug - October 5th, 2005 at 01:00 AM

thanks for the info and pics, hopefully we'll be able to fabricate something tomorrow and take the bug for her first proper subaru powered ride.

ricola - October 5th, 2005 at 05:56 AM

Do you have more recent pics of your install other than on cardomain?

Rich

72RSbug - October 5th, 2005 at 06:33 AM

Not really ricola, will make plenty as soon as I have the bug back at my place.I'll try to put new pics up by this weekend if all goes well.

72RSbug - October 6th, 2005 at 02:30 AM

problem is fixed :), we attached the stock suby mounts to the VW rear gearbox mount and that does the trick.
I'll try to make some good quality pics this weekend when I have my digicam back.