The 80 kw of grunt was starting to get to me as well as the 15l/100 drink average over the last 2 years.
So, after a year or 2 of 'which way to go', I put the plan into action late last year.
I chose a Subaru EZ30 from a 2002 Outback. This is a 3 litre 6 cylinder with 160kw. This would give me plenty of stock power and good torque for towing etc.
Smallcar.com supplied adapter plate, flexplate, throttle cable, stainless 2 1/4 inch headers, cat, muffler, tailpipes, brackets, powersteer hose, nuts and bolts. All beautifully made.
The auto was sent to Aaron Roberts where it received a makeover known only to Aaron which he assures me will easily handle the new power.
An external oil cooler and thermo fan sourced from Ebay fitted nicely under the treasure chest between the chassis rails and near the auto.
I had to make the engine support bar as it was one that Smallcar.com do not make yet. This was easily made using 50x25mm heavy wall and original subie engine mounts.
I put it all back together, fitted it in and then it was down to the wiring which is not my forte.
To use the subie computer, a lot of the original subie wiring harness is needed including the ignition switch with the key in it. This gets hidden somewhere.
I delivered the whole vehicle to AM Autos in Noosaville (about 11 hours round trip) where they finished the conversion, plumbing etc and the wiring. Great job by them.
The drive axles, whilst only having 100,000 klms on them and 25 years old, went to Matt Berry where after inspection received new German cvs to help handle the workload.
Matt kindly picked up the ute when it was finished, as I was in Sydney for a while, and drove it back to his place.
Something was muttered about getting 140kph pretty fast but I may have heard him wrong as I don't want to dob on him.
I picked it up from there a few weeks ago and now enjoy it immensley. It sounds like a 911 and goes like a scalded cat.
My son and I timed it at 0-100 in 9.9 sec the other day. Maybe that isn't great but it sure hauls ass.
After 2 tanks of fuel, I still get 15l/100 but most of that has been having a ball. When I settle down on the throttle, I sure the average economy will improve a lot.
I should have taken lots of pics but I didn't.
I will add a few of the finished job soon.
So, very pleased with the end result.

Very interested to here more
Some pictures pls?

Did you have air or power steer?

Barry

I had power steer and smallcar.com provided the correct hose for the subie engine power steer pump to the vw power steer line. This makes it so easy.
The subie has the air con compreesor on it so now I need to get the air con for the front half of the vehicle. Hope to do that this month.
I'll work on the pics.

Sounds like a good conversion. Approx co$ts ??

Well............
I usually try not to add them up so they are out of sight and out of mind, if you know what I mean.
However, since you asked,
These were the items I bought or paid for to be done.
Engine, wiring harness, computer etc $2000-
Adaptor plate, flexplate, stainless power steer line, throtle cable, kick down adapter, stainless exhaust, cat, muffler, clamps, bolts etc $2500-
Wiring harness installation including idiot lights on dash, plumbing for cooling in stainless, fitting of new axles, mounting of power steer reservoir, mounting coolant tank, supply and fit air cleaner, service items like filters, oils etc, tuning and testing,
$3400-
I had the auto done ($2500-) but I know of other conversions where the stock auto has been used successfully.

Subie EZ30 6 cyl, plenty of room around it.

Transmission oil cooler with thermo fan

Stainless exhaust system from smallcar.com

Transmission rebuild/upgrade by Aaron Roberts.
Axles and new CVs by Matt Berry

Underside

And again

Engine support bar to original Subie mounts

No clearance issues

looks great, you have to do video now so that we can hear it

Very nice conversion
I drove a 2006 H6 liberty a while ago,they do sound like Porsches !!
Couldnt believe the torque and the noise
Well done
Chris

Very nice conversion

Just an update on my first long run with a car trailer.
I went to Ipswitch, about 300klms, on Friday with an empty car trailer. It sat comfortably on 100ks up and down hill and used 15litres per 100klms
Keeping in mind I was not driving for economy.
On the way home with our new project, 72 Single cab, much the same speed, even able to still be doing 80 at the top of the steep hill near Byron Bay.
It used 18 litres pre 100klms.
I am very happy with that!

Is the sump original or modified? That's an impressive install.

Original suby sump.
No problems at all to date.
Drives strong.

Cool conversion, I always wanted to put a diesel H6 into a kombi, just to have something different.
Michael