I seem to have a love affair with these cars, and the 1979 to 1990 buses are especially cheap nowadays.

I just bought my third one with a 50hp diesel engine, and that awfully poor performance might just be the kick in the back I need to start a V8 conversion I have been wanting to do for years.

Now, I have read alot about v8's in pre -79 aircooled versions, and I know KEP has flywheel, adaptor and clutchkits, but I wonder if anyone have any experience trying this on a 79-90 model?

I've searched all over the net for years, without finding any info on this, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

not that i have heard of man

all splits or bays, actually i dont know if ive ever heard of any type of engine conversions on those wedge vans

Not seen a V8, but plenty of other conversions, Subaru 4 cyl, porsche 6 cyl, VW golf motors (petrol & Diesel) etc.
Best would be on a post '82 T3 so watercooling is already in place. ('79-'83 were still aircooled).
If you do all the work to convert to a different motor, why put an outdated, inefficient motor back in? Subary seems the easiest fit and you have a modern motor to boot, Custom off road in brissy have done a few also.

I've never driven a stock diesel, but find a well maintained stock petrol motor just fine.

definitely go a watercooled one and convert it. saves a bunch of dramas. I know of a few that have been converted to subaru power. you get your heater/demister, radiator and all the piping already in place. just bolt up the motor and wire in the electrics.

then save the old wasserboxer block for your drag car. :P

Ok guys, thanks for the replys, but I think you all got me a bit wrong. I know all about the subaru and ford V6, audi 5 conversions etc, and to be frank, I'm really not interested in doing any of them.

The reason for that is I love V8's, quite simply, and when going to all that trouble of doing a swap, I want it to be worthwhile. My car is a Diesel, hence it is already watercooled. In fact, the waterpump broke last night.

As far as I know, the Rover V8 which started out as a 3.5 back in the day, was still produced as of 2005 with alot of performance options, and even came as a 390HP supercherged version in the late nineties. Stock in range rovers, they topped out as a 4,6 litre, but 6 liters is achivable if what people say is right.

Now, although it may be a old design, I personally don't see any wrong in that, and the performance levels speak for themselves. Fuel injection is availiable since the early eighties. Power can be had to almost any reasonable level, from 91 hp to 390 in stock form, with good milage to boot when injected. As for wheight, it wheigh merely 15-20 kg's more than a stock waterboxer.

THat's alot of strong selling points to me.. Now what did that subaru have for strong points.. Lets see;

Cheap....No, not really, not any cheaper than a Rv8
Power... Are you kidding me? Compared to a V8?
Wheight? Maybe a few kg's...
Availiability? Sure, I might find a Subaru in the junkyard, but when I need a part or two, way expensive, and often a few weeks waiting time

Most everything else is the same, Time to do the conversion, fabrication of this and that, neither would be approved of by the dmv, Subaru engine would most probably use less gas. But so do a beetle compared to a Ferrari. You buy the Ferrari for fun, not milage. As with V8's.


No, I'm not changing my mind, or changing to an engine with 5 or ten more Hp. I'm talking about V8 power in a vanagon, thats what I want, and thats what I'm eager to see if anyone have completed yet.

Earlier today I got a confirmation it can, and have, been done, so I guess it answers my basic Q's if it's doable or not. Would be fun to see or chat with some who have done it though.

ok, cool.

What you need is a decent gearbox. The V8 will destroy the standard box in no time if you drive with any gusto. Contact Albins offroad for a gearset and a super diff. They make a set for Holden V6s that will have the sorts of ratios you need. But be prepared to spend up to or even over $5k to have the gearox built and completed.

The next issue is clutch. Holdens also have dramas in this area. You want a standard German friction plate but a heavier pressure plate. Talk to Kimm Garland from Indian Automotive about this. He has a 400hp blown v6 in a kombi and has worked it all out. He'll also clue you up on some gearbox tricks.

So yes it can be done, but it will cost money.

There is an unfinished project V8 kombi in the Perth Quokka ( http://www.quokka.com.au ) for $1900......

are the engine bays the same size as bay kombis or smaller? i always pictured them as being lower profile, may cause issues with a vee engine?

Me neither i had one in my splitty ute for years & years (P76 tho) & i`m looking more like shoving another one into my bay right now :-) Go for it man!!! :-)