Few general questions on subaru conversions

[Morganman]

Been looking into carrying out the above on our T25 DG 1.9 Petrol and looked at the differnet parts available, would like some advise on the following:-
1, Which engine is best between the 2.2 1994 ish vintage or a later 2.0 say 1999?
2, Which methold for the gearbox is best ie bellhousing converstion or Flywheel with adaptor plate?
3, When do you need a Coolant manifold reserve thing?
4, What will catch me out ie instrument panel, fueling issues, electric's (keen to do this myself or am i mad?).
5, What engine mounts do you use vw or Subaru?

Sorry if this has been covered but i have spend hours looking up details and want to learn from other peoples experience/ Mistakes to hopefully make my a nice one and to reduce my mistakes.

[HarryMann]

1, Which engine is best between the 2.2 1994 ish vintage or a later 2.0 say 1999?
2, Which methold for the gearbox is best ie bellhousing converstion or Flywheel with adaptor plate?
3, When do you need a Coolant manifold reserve thing?
4, What will catch me out ie instrument panel, fueling issues, electric's (keen to do this myself or am i mad?).
5, What engine mounts do you use vw or Subaru?

-1) Have you read the information in the static thread above about Petrol Alternatives - Subaru?

0) Read RJES website (if you can get the menus to work)

1) Possibly the later 2.0 litre ones, NA of course, but a low mileage 2.2 ('90~'94) is the classic one used, with OBD1 electronics

2) RJES Bellhousing best, then use Subaru starter and flywheel and VW clutch

3) You don't, but reverse manifold points coolant aoutlet directly at VW radiator pipe runs going forward. Don't confuse with reverse inlet manifold that can be done too (inlet tight on firewall)

4) All.. unless you have the skills and information. Need to know all the bits that 'must' be got from donor... see RJES website or ask.. plans for the classic 2.2 loom can be got from Kennedy Engineering

5) Depends if you use RJES or Smallcar(US)engine mounts... VW with latter

6) (make darn sure you get the VIN of vehicle engine comes out)

7) Sump usually needs shortening, but that can come later... but not too late

Exhaust.. again eiother Smallcar or RJES

Other than the belhhousing that can be used in combination with the US Smallcar parts, RJES engine mount and exhaust tend to go together, ot should.

9) A Sub conversion is not a partic. cheap option.. but neither is a Diesel Tdi so here ya go.

10) It's not uncommon to 'do' some Subaru replacements before it goes in e.g. timing belt wheels and sometimes crank seals

MeNowthinks from that, you haven't done -1) yet

[Morganman]

Thanks for your great advise again. I have read the static information but didn't go into the 2.0l that much so didn't know if there was a reason for this.
I liked the idea of the flywheel and adaptor plates as this would reduce the time the bus would be off the road, as all could be prepared before attacking the old unit. My plan would be to get a complete car and strip everthing i need and do the cam belt and any works to the new engine before starting the removal of the 1.9dg. Also the wiring alteration could be done and installed before.
I take it the disadvantage of using the flywheel etc is the clutch may need to be upgraded to a stage 1 and an upgraded starter motor needed?

The braces seem to vary from RJES and smallcar as you stated, there seems avantages to the smallcar as used the existing mounts but has the down side of restricting the use of a winged shorten sump!.
The other thing which is not clear is the exhausts as Smallcar do a complete unit (my existing rear box is s/steel so would like to reuse) but i have read this can hit the RJES brace, and RJES only seem to do the manifolds? are there any manufactured system available out there?
Budget is around £1500 + engine at the moment but still researching to find the quickest and most cost effective means of doing this.

[HarryMann]

Quite a few use the Smallcar mount and their exhaust and RJES bellhousing.

RJES does now do a complete exhaust, not cheap but beautiful I hear, then again, smallcar have changed their range to stainless only (I think) and are a lot of money either way + shipping of course

The adaptor plate pushes the engine about 1" further back giving a bit more clearance on the inlet at the firewall, but then that can be turned a round 180...

Have you read 'Its alive...' thread in Syncro? https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 423#336423

[Jon Bisson GSY]

Hi,
Just about to drop in a 2l sport engine next weekend. After a lot of web bashing and phone calls I went for the full RJES kit and engine from Grade A Subaru, both have been fantastic. I decided to go with RJES as I know everything will fit and the build quality is excellent.
With Richard doing the loom and including one of his very tasty stainless exhausts its working out at £2k plus the engine. I know its a bit more pricey, but I know it will all fit together, work well and it comes with lots of help from the man who makes it.
Jon

[t3 monkey boy]

Ok so its a how longs a piece of string question, but if you were an experienced mechanic, using Ej22 motor, with all singing and dancing kit from RJES with everything needed including exhaust. you were replacing a 1.9 GW injection engine, how many days labour would this take? including stripping scooby engine and loom and taking out vw engine. Anyone got any guestimates? cheers

[Pepperami]

Have a read of this. It may help.

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forum ... ?TID=27684
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forum ... ?TID=28339

Ps i have a load of conversion parts for sale. PM me

[markscoot]

Check out this on you tube, this will convince you!
Vanagon SVX Subaru testdrive.
Awesome!

[HarryMann]

Check out this on you tube, this will convince you!

Did you forget the link

[markscoot]

First time Ive tried a link thingy, hope it works. If not type -Vanagon SVX Subaru Testdrive- into you tube.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hCO4I4Am8x4

Edited, you don't need the blue color tags, does that automatically HM

[markscoot]

Cheers HM

[Morganman]

Well i have moved forward and purchased a Subaru Legacy 2.2 Manual 1995 with 81K on the clock full 12 months MOT, complete with MOT's to prove back to 2005 at 61K, Nice car with a sound engine, drove great. Storing now till the winter for the engine swap. Think i will go with RJES with bolt on parts to save time. Will be stripping in another month or two and selling all the unwanted part's and storing the rest.
I will keep posting on the progress and look forward to joining the Dark Side!.

[HarryMann]

Sounds a good low mileage car... manual ideal.

Give Richard a call and run the year and model past him for any snags/gotchas in the meantime - and what you maybe need be thinking about, preparing (as well as prices).

[Morganman]

Started to strip Subaru so thought i would update with some pictures.











Engine didn't take to long but wiring is a bigger issue with wings, dash seats etc etc to gain access and now the fun starts with the removal and stripping. i have labeled every thing so should be ok. I will keep taking picture though the engine swap. but this will not be happening in a rush as i have a boat project to finish this winter as well and the camper is running fine at present.

[Pepperami]

Excellent keep us posted,