What do YOU reckon on a Subaru conversion (VERY MILD) in a 65 Kombi with front discs, lovered and IRS rear.
I havn't yet made up my mind, so I would appreciate some opinions, I don't want a huge bunch of power, mainly reliability and hopefully economy.
Cheers
ps I don't have any engine at the moment as the bus came with a blown 1300 beetle motor

well the subie motor is obviously a lot more powerful probably more reliable and cheaper.

however it is a lot easier to put a Type 4 into an early bus, u just have to convert to upright cooling, get a modified type 4 flywheel with a bushing and clearance the bellhousing for the 200mm OD flywheel.
Plus parts are readily available and cheap, the engine is much easier to work on, diagnose, repair and understand.

A subie engine will be a lot more trouble, parts wise and conversion wise. however you do gain a lot of power for less $$$, there is a lot less maintainence as well as better economy unless you have a lead foot.

[Edited on 15-9-2002 by Che Castro]

hey
the first thing here is
a) do u want to keep an fairly original bus?
b) to fit a subaru motor you have to modify the engine bay pretty heavily leaving it not original and hard to take back to original and
c) as stated parts are harder to find
these are just a few negatives but the power wise and cheaper thing is a great advantage!
cheers
rhys

I don't know If I'd go for a subaru if I have to modify the sheet metal but the bus I'm modifing was a basket case anyway,On the other hand I have also heard reports of 3k for a type4 rebuild! my other splitty is being restored back to original

I've almost finished an ej20 conversion on a bay window.... and believe me, it's a tight fit! Not to mention the SUMP! The engine measures around 800 wide, so in a split engine bay you'd certainly have to do some clearancing! But that said, if you take care and don't use a gas axe, there’s no reason why you couldn't revert back to original! Though I doubt you'd ever want too after a successful transplant ;-)
As for parts.... please!!! 'Difficulty finding subaru parts' as apposed to a type 4? Sorry, but common sense would beg to differ!


[Edited on 17-9-2002 by danzin]

fair enough!
but splitty's werent meant to go fast i say just a 1600 or a 1916 something like that if you want speed by a modern day car!
cheers
rhys

Well said dude!

Where in Brisbane are you Danzin? I'm in Lota and would love to see your conversion. Thinking of doing an EJ20T into my lifted twincab

Conversion kit from Bill Croft and front cut from Just Jap (9754666 I think). Frontcut with auto box $1,950 or twin turbo $3,250. Buggie from whm.com or beachbuggy.com or sharpbuilt.com .Hope this helps . Mark

[Edited on 18-9-2002 by MR930]

11CAB, I'm in cannon hill, and your more than welcome to come over and have a look! It’s basically finished now bar the exhaust and minor plumbing, so there’s plenty to see
Just phone ahead.... 0419761303.

Danzin, will do. I am keen to see it
will call.
Graham:thumb

These are pics of the 1600 subey I've replaced with the ej20... to it's credit she pushed the heavy old bus around trouble free (accept for 3 sets of points for over two years !
I will post some pictures of the new motor tomorrow morning

Is that the only radiator you have mounted on the left?

We had a 71 Twincab in at work yesterday with a 4AGE Corolla motor and it had one radiator mounted in front of the motor (where the fuel tank normally sits) and a smaller one moulded into the early front bumper.

I'll post some more pics in members rides!

well parts change spec on a lot of japanese cars every 6 months or so, and a subi gasket kit goes for about $300... But i guess if u have the money and patience it is well worth having a modern engine.