Hello,

Looking to convert my 91 caravelle to an EJ25. Mechanically challenged and will need to have this done professionally. Anyone suggest a good mechanic in Sydney that will do this properly?

Thanks in advance

M

not in NSW , but in QLD you will find AM AUTO , AL , I dont think you will find any one out there better IMO

Quikfit motorsport at Hornsby or Indian Automotive at Kingswood. They've both done heaps of these conversions.

Be prepared to pay top dollar when getting it professionally done. Easily over $10,000. I just finished my 86 caravelle conversion and can understand why it cost so much, a shit load of work to do yourself. Cost me just under $4000, the engine cost me $1200 but only had 140,000 km on it and had been fully servied.

What did you find most difficult during your conversion and how long did it take you to do. I thought the wiring loom would be most time consuming? Did you have problems getting your conversion approved. This is my biggest concern doing a home conversion. cheers

I put in an EJ22 7 years ago - and am still very happy. Whilst I didn't do it, the making and welding of engine supports and the exhaust would be the greatest task. The wiring loom, whilst consuming quite a lot of time and attention, wasn't hard at all. It IS important to start with (a) the loom from YOUR engine, and (b) some sort of diagram/instructions for the wiring. You will also be well served with a large desk (or, better, a spare door to put on a desk as a work surface.) You could always do this as an evening job. 2-3 hrs at a time is ample, as long as you can tell one colour from another and are methodical.

There is loads of info available on the Yahoo subaruvanagon website.

Approval in QLd was fine (though the guy knew and trusted the work of the people who did the welding work). Make sure there are anti-crush spacers in the chassis members where the new engine mount bolts on.

All the best.

Dave

send you loom to Al @ AM Auto as I do with mine