Board Logo

Impreza WRX STI Turbo swap in a VW Beetle
maddmaxx - May 23rd, 2011 at 04:59 AM

I was doing a body off restoration on my 1974 standard beetle. I want to build a sleeper. Could i install the engine on the chassi and the lower the body on. I don't want to remove my rear apron i just welded. I want to use a 2007 Impreza WRX STI Turbo. Would this engine be to new or should i use a older model? It's a sleeper so i don't want to do a lot of cutting. As for the transmission what should i do it's stock. Where should i mount the turbo cooler also should i use a stock ecu and harness or after market. I'm located in the United States and the parts are a bit expensive so any help that would save me money and time would be great.

Joel - May 23rd, 2011 at 10:01 AM

07 STi is probably fly by wire throttle, which is almost impossible to fit in an older car and if it has the CAN-Bus electrical system it will be even worse again, I'd look for something abit older.

The turbo engines take alot of cutting, there's no way around that as they are wider than beetle bumper mounts.

If you search on here for Mick58 STi conversion, it was fitted without removing the apron and only minimal firewall modding to clear the turbo with a small aftermarket chargecooler but it was also a very cramped engine bay like that.

STIDUB - May 23rd, 2011 at 10:37 AM

at world time attack last year there was a trade stand that made universal fly by wire throttle bodies & matching pedals... wish i asked the guy more about it, would open up alot of options in the later model conversion market :D
and yep turbos need cutting, no way around it, want it minimal copy jaks or micks
want a cheap trans that should be able to handle abuse, subaru gears should be the most cost effective
also search this forum & look at others like germanlook & vwkd forums for more conversion info :)

maddmaxx - May 23rd, 2011 at 10:50 AM

Thanks a lot guys. I guess i will search for an older engine. What year should i be looking for? Is there a older engine out there with turbo that would have work? Reading other post i should go with A ej 20 OR 22 SOHC. Any thoughts on this idea?

maddmaxx - May 23rd, 2011 at 10:54 AM

Hey Joel will your set up work in my beetle?

Aussie Dubbin - May 23rd, 2011 at 11:05 AM

I think 03 Sti has pretty good recomendations

maddmaxx - May 23rd, 2011 at 11:15 AM

i would cut the shelf out to get it in if i had to. I will check that out thanks.

1303Steve - May 23rd, 2011 at 01:04 PM

Hi

2 litre STIs are better motors than 2.5s according to my local Subaru expert, he has shelves full of blown 2.5s.

Steve

Joel - May 23rd, 2011 at 02:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by maddmaxx
Hey Joel will your set up work in my beetle?


Quite easily, your US 74 standard bug is the same as mine in the back, but my engine is a 2.2 non turbo though, well for a couple of days more anyway.

If you move the trans forward and lose the parcel tray you can still make a good sleeper with a charge cooler setup instead of an intercooler.