is sold**31,000kms twin webers EI, big sump,etc. from general chit chat thread "what's my engine worth"?

out of a VW trike.

$5500 - very negotiable

Tony 0438360934 (Strathbogie Victoria near Euroa)anytime




Details


Ok, the engine was brand new (Brazil stamped on block) when I picked it up January 7th 2009 from Panther trikes. Panther import their engines in bits I believe and are assembled by two well known mechanics in Woolongong and delivered complete in a crate to Gosford where they are installed in a trike.

My 1916 was ordered with the large sump and twin solex's. A mistake was to not go with the more efficient exhaust systems on offer.

Unfortunately I had troubles which was very uncommon with their trike engines. I trailered the trike to Strathbogie near Benalla Victoria and after 20 kms of riding the engine stopped. Turned out to be stripped cam shaft gears. Engine came out and back to Woolongong where, instead of waiting for their normal supplier they replaced the gears with german ones. But it still didnt run right. (all under warranty and Panther people remain good friends)

Eventually the engine was extracted by VW performance centre Croydon. Daniel and Mick were great and very professional. They found- a score along the bore of one cylinder and 8 slightly bent valves. The following took place-

4 new pistons and barrels same 1916 size
8 new valves
heads shaved to raise compression
2 brand new webers 40 size
Electronic ignition

Immediate improvement found especially midrange.

Since then the trike has done 31,000 kms. Its an auto and I dont rev out my engine eg never do I use it manually. I've towed a 450kgm caravan recently and before that a 240 kgm camper trailer on trips but often just riding to trike runs in Melbourne on the freeway. the trike weighs 500 kgm. So the engine hasnt had a hard 31,000 kms.

When Daniel dynoed the engine after rebuild he commented that the exhausts are strangling the engine and wasnt happy with the overall performance due to that and that we retained the standard cam.

The engine has normal oil use about 400ml to every 1000-1500kms.

I would assume the buyer would make a few more mods to get the best out of this engine.

Hence a sale price of $5,500 is now posted.

Buyers can test engine in my trike and upon sale assist me in taking it out. I live half way between Melbourne and Albury (Strathbogie).

I have purchased an EA81 and plan to tour the top end with our caravan. Also I desire a heater in the trike....believe it!
Tony 0438 360 934

So what HP figure did the engine make on the dyno?

cheers

re: HP no idea. sorry

like I said, the engine wasnt putting out what they expected. new owner should do a few mods, cam, etc. hence negotiable price.

sounds like a dak dak, looks like a dak dak .......

Sorry to seem like a smart arse but why would you swap from this to an EA81?

Well I didnt really think this sale would turn out to be a thread of justification but so be it. I'll try to understand you guys and I wont hold it against you fan blowing lovers!!

I dont know what HP my 1916 puts out but at a guess 55-60. It has great potential but at a price. A beetle/type3 owner would likely love it.

Ea81 with new weber? more HP I would think. 90? maybe-85?. maybe not. How illusive of me eh? that's because I'm in unknown territory...know little about both engines only what I've read and I dont work on engines since my horror Lotus days.

Reliability? Another arguement. But I've read many comments from Ea81 owners of how they keep on going on and on. I've known of a couple of Leone owners too including my late father. There he was cruising along the Tulla freeway doing 130kph until I pointed it out to him. Such was its cruisability. So how's an 1800 EA81 going to push along a 500 kgm trike? auto or not auto?

Torque? What I do know from wiki as well as many jap engine output figures in this forum is that of the Subaru boxer engines the EA81 has its maximum torque at 2400 rpm. EJ engines are around 3200 upwards. I'd suggest (the novice I am) that this is ideal for my type 3 auto.

Clutter? Each to their own but I've seen pictures of EJ22 engines as an example with DOHC, EMU, xyz you name it...and all the tubes and bits and peices. Along with my Peugeot engine once owned and I began to hate it. I longed for a single carbie (no balancing) twin throat mechanical operation carbie- when i want extra power I turn the throttle....easy.! no waiting for vacuum second throats to cut in etc, no rocking out of sinc carbs
Some modern things are good- an electronic dizzy (my EA has this, no points impresses me and I've picked up a brand new one on these pages this week (to relace the original worn shafted one) along with new weber 32/36 (I think)...all good simplistic stuff.
I did wrestle with the water cooling stuff. What I am capable of is design and original ideas of a combination of both. The trike roof is one example. Now there are four realistically possible radiator loactions on this trike. At the far rear will spoil the trike appearance and make access an issue eg pulling back the roof and raising the body to do a simple task like adjusting a mixture screw. At the front- a small motorcycle radiator yes, a big one no=ugly. A low height radiator above the transmission under passenger seat a possibility (on an angle) or under body.

This Forum has helped many an owner with ideas. My trike has bigger tyres on it to max gearing. I'm confident a radiator can be located between the tow bar tubes on a slight angle with SS scoop ala kombi. Two small radiators one each side under the ladder bars is also an option but one radiator would be better.

And finally....something none of you guys would realise- a future heater. Now I hear you all laughing but take a look at this pic:



It is my custom windscreen demister. two 12 volt hair dryers facing each other encased inside two exhaust extensions with a slot on top. Needed for when mist builds up in the winter. A wiper is coming also. Now many motorcyclists and trikers, no matter how they rug up in winter months are cold and dont enjoy their ride. Heated grips are also a consideration. But ideally a heater isnt so silly if you already have hot water from radiators. A small radiator behine the centre perspex leg fairing is on the cards. The only effective way to get heat from the VW engine is the traditional heater boxes- I am not impressed here-

Hair dryers



nice curvy body



see front fairing for heater radiator



So thats my story guys. Now you know ALL the reasons for the conversion....including keeping me and my wife warm....

Bare in mind that for months while my roof was being built people all over thought the idea was silly. Since its been completed I've not had one negative comment. So I think I've made the right choice. Any EA81 lovers out there agree with me?

what a pain in the ass just to sell an engine. at the end of the day if the subaru engine makes you happy what difference does it make or should it make to anyone else. hope the sale goes well.

Tweety remember, your trike your money your time so its your choice! I have had a Ea81 with electrical egn in a baja for several years and cant fault it for what IT is. Good luck with sale.

To Scot70wagon and Bone

Thanks guys. Like your attitude and appreciate your time to comment.

It's guys like you that encourage new forumites like me to be here.

I am very negotiable on the price. I know the new owner would need to do some work to improve output.

Tony
Strathbogie
Victoria
0438360934

Quote:

Originally posted by tweety

Thanks mate for your comments.

There are some unknowns about trikes. Up until Jan2011 ADR's required the weight of these machines to be under 450kgms wet. In Jan they scrubbed that rule in its entirety. Unless you had the next level trike with anti pollution, seat belts etc. This has caused a flooding of new trikes to the market including Touroz trikes with Ford Focus power as an example.

Limiting them to 450kgms with my trike meant alloy everywhere including the monocoque chassis. My fuel tank is that black unit UNDER the traditional fuel tank. The traditional fuel tank is where the electrics are.

The van is a 2 berth unit amde in Campbellfield Vic by ChevronRV (see their web site from google). It weighs tare 380kgms and has sink, fridge, 2 burner and annex for around $16,500 (ours was much cheaper deceased estate). The trike has a limit for towing and I'm on the limit thats because the trike frame could twist if tow ball weight is exceded. Camper trailers under 250 kgms are popular with trikes. I'd suggest this van would be an option for Beetles/Fasties etc.



One future option is a reverse crown wheel on a subaru 4 speed auto from Subarugears. Have spoken to that friendly guy and taken measurements. The Subie gearbox is 140mm longer than the type 3 auto in my trike. The transaxle is a little shorter. The two options in installing the subie reverse is to change the trailing arms to longer ones moving the wheels back or gettign an professional to cut a section out of the alloy tank for the frotn of the transmission to be fixed.

I like seagulls advice to simply take the type 3 auto to Atkins or other mob to change the final drive ratio. To allow the engine to drop from 3200 rpm at 100kph down to say 2600 would make it more economical and better cruising.

I'm in a good position actually. The VW engine is running well now and the Subie engine needs a clean, some checks, install of the Weber and new dizzy and paint.

The trike is my hobby. I enjoy tinkering with it. I designed the roof, local engineer in Euroa built it. The electric sunroof is off a Mazda 121 funtop. A seven foot guy could sit in the passenger seat- with the roof up! and get a good view of the road ahead above the roof! 6 foot will fit under it.

The screen is a necessity for air flow. The rider gets a little air flow, my wife passenger is snug and warm. I love being different. The Subie engine wont be as attractive. I might paint it red (would that look ok?)...chrome rocker covers (if available) etc etc. Bling it up a bit before I drop it in.



These badge, placed on the roof sides were made from zero alloy house numbers from a hardware store. The panther boot stickers are from USA from an outlet at the Carolina Panthers football team. Glued to a piece of perspex and screwed to the roof frame.

I made up a luggage rack for the rear. This unit's components can be purcahsed over the counter at Autobahn. I'll post the idea in general chit chat because the unit clamps to the tow bar and could easily be used on other cars eg Beetles if luggage room in limited.

Yeh, love this baby.

Tony....I love mechanical stuff,and I love unconvential - totally admire your bike,roof,trailer and your practical attitude. I wish you and your wife years of safe, enjoyable travelling.........JJ

Thanks JJ.

Creativity for some is a hunger.

Hey Tweety, I was offered today a complete running EA81 in good order, being removed from a kombi from a Subi specialist in Brisbane and upgraded to an EJ. Are you interested in a swap for your 1915, I'll even organise and pay all freight.

Thanks Matberry.

I decline but appreciate the thought.

I've got a recoed EA81 and also bought a new Weber 32/36 and new electronic dizzy. I'm on my way with this and just need adapter related stuff.

Likely I'll put my 1916 on Ebay eventually with a reasonable reserve. Its running well at the moment and I can ride my trike around while I spruce up the Subie engine. I'm not desperate to get rid of it.

Me thinks realistically the complete engine is worth around $3500-4000 pick up Strathbogie Central Victoria.

Looking for offers before it goes to Ebay in a few weeks.

PM sent.

Engine is sold. Thanks