been thinking about making the type 3 go faster and was half thinking about a subaru conversion. The only thing is I want to keep the back flat as we use the car as a station wagon, so the engine will have to fit under the floor. Is this possible and has anyone done it?

You will need to construct a taller sealed and soundproofed engine cover; the engine does not fit below the floorline

thanks for that, the one rule I had about the conversion was to have no hump in the floor unfortunatley, but will have to work out just how big it will have to be, and go from there.
what engines do people use mostly?

You will need a hump/lifted floor of around 150mm (6 inches). Plenty of info on here about DOHC Subie engines (EJ series as used from mid-90s to now) into Bugs and Type 3s etc

Hi

Here is some info that may help with the decision making
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=46066&page=1#pid429694 

(made up of the typical banter that you see on here
(actually it ain't that useful at all...)

and
http://www.warnercnr.colostate.edu/~kevinlh/type3_conversion_to_subaru.htm 
Some fellow in the states that did the conversion.

Cheers
Jeremy

[ Edited on 14-8-2006 by Jeza ]

just a thought - how much more power are you looking for? maybe the earlier (simpler) subis such as the ea81 may take up less room?

SR20 n/a 140hp

Think the hump will be an issue, we use the car as a wagon with stuff in the back, and a 6" hump would ruin the space, maybe just a 2ltr engine from a camper may be the less space consuming option.

The hump will be to big, we usae our type3 as a wagon and often stack it to the roof when off racing, the option may now be a 2ltr aircooled lump. bugger

dont do it, keep it real. Subaru engines are rubbish

you will also lose front boot space as the spare tyre will need to go there to make way for a radiator.

Get a set of empi style timber racks, you maybe able to get the cover a bit lower, so you could do either a total false floor, so its not awkward, or just have a small hump over the high point probable not much bigger than an ice cream container.

As for subaru motors being rubbish.... cheaper, modern, reliable, fuel efficient and power...lots more power.

In saying that... if you can get a 2 litre bus engine cheap, it will probably serve you purpose pretty well.

Good luck with your choice regardless.

Matt

how easly do 2ltr engines go in?
is it new engine mounts etc, or is it a bolt straight in job?

wow, just went and measured my ea81 scoobi engine in my kombi and then the engine bay of the type3 wagon, cant believe how small they are! the wagons have, what 20cm from the middle of the engine to the underside of the engine lid? even my old subi has at least 30cm from centre of engine to top of air filter!

Would really love a subaru turbo engine but with the intercooler im not sure where you could put it. Is there a kit you can buy with all the mounting hardware to fit, engine mounts adapters etc. Been talking with my beloved adn she is not to bothered about what engine the car has, as long as it is not that loud, and isnt to wacky racers.

Dude, an ej22 is what you want. There are a few companies who can sell you everything you need bar the engine mounts and radiator stuff. Alternatively, Quickfit motorsport in Hornsby ( http://www.quickfitmotorsport.com.au/ ) can do your loom for you or the whole conversion. Boof (Matt) in Dural could do also the whole conversion. Custom Offroad could sell you a part kit.

If you go EJ20 turbo the car will be very quick, but you will eat a gearbox eventually unless you drive like a grandma, and we both know you won't with a turbo motor. Stick with the common atmo motor and buy a complete motor/loom/ecu from a wrecker. Spare parts can be bought at repco or any subaru dealer in Aust (make sure it is not an import motor).

Ej22 + Lbug gearbox + Squareback = nice streetable car with highway legs and bags of lowdown torque.

If you like I'll take you for a spin in my EJ25 buggy and show you just how smooth it is. The EJ22 is only a fraction less powerful. U2U me and we'll tee up a time. Heck, come over for a barby on saturday and have a look see.

he's right about the gearbox bit!

thanks for the barby offer but off to the zoo with my neice on saturday. but would be great to see just how fast the type 3 could be...

the qu is, how fast can you spend. coz it all comes down to cash. if you go turbo expect to shell out for a strong gearboxat some stage and that's upwards of $2500 on top of the brake upgrades you'll need for the engineering certificate.

But really, an ej20T is a compromise if you really want to go fast. After all, you can now legally fit and ECOTEC V6. But wait, that's still not on the limit. How about a 4litre lexus V8 coz that's legal. In fact, I believe the newer LS430 4.3litre V8 engine is legal too. It's 290hp standard and I dare say it's been tuned rather conservatively. Let's not even talk about the amount of torque it may produce.
OR you could go up to 2.7l turbo charged which leaves a myriad of motors to choose from including rotors. But heck it's all about speed and money. THe sky is the limit. The more power, the more gearbox/brake/chassis upgrades you need and the closer to a divorce you'll be.

Or, you could go with the EJ22 which shouldn't kill an Lbug box and will surprise lots of people and drive really nicely. It will also cost less than a VW motor of comparable size and power output.

[ Edited on 16-8-06 by pete wood ]

a member of this forum has a suby in a fastback, his signature text suggests that it eats current model porsches.

looks a bit like this

[ Edited on 16-8-2006 by VWCOOL ]

or this....

Quote:

Originally posted by dumone or this....