Subaroo & Autobox

Post by **Dubstar** » 03 Jun 2008, 22:39

Just wondering if anyone has ever done one? Just as a matter of interest, obviously, dreaming of making my Aircooled auto go a little bit faster

Post by **Pepperami** » 04 Jun 2008, 08:55

The guy thats doing my conversion runs a Scooby with an auto box, aircon and cruise control.

Post by **Dubstar** » 04 Jun 2008, 09:22

On a T25? Sorry, I meant T3

Post by **Pepperami** » 04 Jun 2008, 09:36

Post by **HarryMann** » 04 Jun 2008, 11:11

The Americans have a modification they apply to T25 auto-boxes when a Subaru engine is fitted.. I think it alters the change points and might have a an affect on durability too... possibly a trans cooler mod.

Info on subarauvanagon yahoo group on this. BenT who posts here (Syncro usually) has a fast Subaru with an auto trans over there too (VanagonCafe)

http://hometown.aol.com/bentbtstr8/myho ... index.html

Post by **Pepperami** » 04 Jun 2008, 11:25

Trans cooler is a yes.

Post by **BenT** » 04 Jun 2008, 18:07

HarryMann wrote:The Americans have a modification they apply to T25 auto-boxes when a Subaru engine is fitted.. I think it alters the change points and might have a an affect on durability too... possibly a trans cooler mod.

Info on subarauvanagon yahoo group on this. BenT who posts here (Syncro usually) has a fast Subaru with an auto trans over there too (VanagonCafe)

http://hometown.aol.com/bentbtstr8/myho ... index.html

Clive is correct. If you fail to install a transmission cooler with a more powerful engine, you will likely cook the seals in your transaxle. Sure the transmission is up to the extra oats but you need to reduce the resulting higher temperatures. The fellow who started the conversion my van used a cooler with a fan. I felt this was wholly unnecessary as a simple sheet metal shroud is enough if the cooler is placed in the airstream (under the sliding door for LHD vans.

As for changing the shift points, it's just a matter of shaving the square-shaped weight on the governor. KEP sends instructions with his kits on how much to shave. Roughly speaking you have to turn the square weight into a quarter pie shape. Result will be the transmission shifting at a higher RPM. It's not perfect but works much better than an unmodified one.

BenT

Post by **Dubstar** » 04 Jun 2008, 19:22

Nice one guys. But how does the engine attach to the box? Is there a bellhousing adaptor specifically for autos or is it the same conversion kit as manuals and does the crank need machining to accept the drive plate? Like I say, I like the auto, but I'd also like it to go a lot quicker - turbo power and all that. I've already got a transmission cooler ready to go on. I had to do a gearbox change for my Aircooled one, and the water cooled one has a heat exchanger fitted to the back that wouldn't clear the earlier crossmember on my 81 Westy. And also, mine has no water cooling system. I had to take it off and bridge it with a pipe between the banjo's, so I got an oil cooler ready to connect to the pipe. Was gonna put it behind the front grill but I thought it might be a long way from the back of the gearbox to the front of the van. And back.

Post by **BenT** » 04 Jun 2008, 20:49

Dubstar wrote:Nice one guys. But how does the engine attach to the box? Is there a bellhousing adaptor specifically for autos or is it the same conversion kit as manuals and does the crank need machining to accept the drive plate? Like I say, I like the auto, but I'd also like it to go a lot quicker - turbo power and all that. I've already got a transmission cooler ready to go on. I had to do a gearbox change for my Aircooled one, and the water cooled one has a heat exchanger fitted to the back that wouldn't clear the earlier crossmember on my 81 Westy. And also, mine has no water cooling system. I had to take it off and bridge it with a pipe between the banjo's, so I got an oil cooler ready to connect to the pipe. Was gonna put it behind the front grill but I thought it might be a long way from the back of the gearbox to the front of the van. And back.

KEP makes and adapter for the auto. No messing with input shafts. I believe that's what you mean, right? I have the 2.2EJT which is the grand-daddy of the WRX engine. This is was from a US-spec 93 Legacy. Stock HP is about 163hp. It is more than adequate in a non-camper van. An intercooler will bump up HP quite easily. The nice thing about a turbo behind and autotrans is you do not get any perceivable turbo lag. Step the throttle and let the turbo keep spooling w/o let up on the rpm. It's makes for some fun at the local stoplight grandprix.

Trust me on this. I own several other turbo vehicles. 89 Audi TQA, 930S, and T3 with a 1.9TD. The auto definitely makes for a nice change.

BenT

Post by **HarryMann** » 04 Jun 2008, 23:42

Was gonna put it behind the front grill but I thought it might be a long way from the back of the gearbox to the front of the van. And back.

That shoudn't matter, as far as I can reason.. just more fluid so a better heat buffer in short term. Just pipework (akin to oil cooler pipework many fit to turno diesel T25s)

I can see Ben's point on the turbo ~ auto trans compatibility. Makes sense, also makes BP and Shell a lot of bucks everytime you go out in the truck

Thinks... the EJ22 NA Subaru is a pretty good step up from the existing lumps, without the consumption and complication of the turbo?

Post by **Pepperami** » 05 Jun 2008, 11:24

Have a look at the RJES site for all things Scooby/VW.