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conversion confusion
sheehy7474 - December 12th, 2005 at 05:58 PM

Hi just wanting to know if doing a conversion or tricking up the 1800vw motor is the cheaper way to go. I will be doing the job myself either way but lust unshore what would be best. can any one help ; sorry you probably get asked this a lot. thanks mark. buy the way its a 1974 kombi camper with 1800 motor & 1600 gearbox.


helbus - December 12th, 2005 at 11:34 PM

It would be technically a lot easier and cheaper to trick up the 1800. Twin Kadron carbies, different cam, twin plug heads maybe if you really want to go a lot further. You will have to look at upgrading the gearbox also. Depending on how far you go, $4-6000

If you go a Subaru conversion as I think that is what you mean, then you will need to get a 2 litre gearbox as well. This excersise cost me about $7000 and I did all the work myself except the gearbox rebuild.

This is my Suby conversion thread using Custom Off Roads gear.

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=38417 


sheehy7474 - December 13th, 2005 at 09:52 AM

Thanks helbus for your advice that helped in which way i might go. would doing just carbys & cam & leads give me more grunt going up hills. As this being a camper its a bit dead in that department otherwise i can put up with it. thanks again mark.


helbus - December 13th, 2005 at 01:14 PM

With a 1600 box you will be revving pretty hard, but that does help with pulling power up hills.

You could do the carbs and cam and you will find you will get more revs and power.

The bigger advantage with the Subaru EJ22 is it has a lot of torque. Our bus goes up steep hills that we used to have to do in third gear with the stock 1800, now we can stay in 4th and still get acceleration.

If you plan on keeping your bus for ten years, an EJ22 would be an economically viable option. If you really think you might only go for a couple years, the 1800 upgrade would be better.

This is all only my own opinion of course.


sheehy7474 - December 13th, 2005 at 06:20 PM

Thanks again helbus the money factor makes me have to go with the carbs & cam. but if any thing changes i will definitely go the suby. aussieveedubers greatest thing since sliced bread. mark.


helbus - December 13th, 2005 at 08:13 PM

Heres a pair of carbies and manifolds etc for sale.

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=46955 


barls - December 13th, 2005 at 09:01 PM

i bought a cam for the 2L kombi motor recently and can out only down $200 odd and that was with a mild cam and german followers from v force