Heading down the Subaru route

[Whizzler46]

Also have a conversion planned over the coming winter. However torn between a 2.5n/a or a 2.0 turbo.

As this is going to be a home conversion, any tips or items i should watch for?

Cheers

[phil_b]

Noticed a couple of posters hoping for improved mpg, obviously it would depend which model but the higher performance Subaru engines aren't known for good mpg. Even driven gently the Imprezza I ran for a couple of years (2000 model 2.0 turbo, low mileage and standard) struggled to better 25mpg, peach of an engine though and no doubt great fun in one of our vans. I would expect in a van very low 20's if driven sensibly but only a guess based on my limited experience.
Phil

[JimmyT25]

Hi Phil, you are correct in that they (Subaru engines) aren't renowned for their economy however in most cases people are changing from 4wd to 2wd which will help and the non turbo and more modern engines seem to have better mpg too I'm converting mine over the next few weeks to a 2002 n/a ej20 and I'm hoping to get 30mpg from it, but will have to see how heavy my right foot becomes

[JimmyT25]

Whizzler46 I have been told that turbo conversions are more difficult and it's difficult accommodating the turbo?

[christofy]

Thanks guys. I've priced up for the full RJES kit and am aware that I need a manual transmission vehicle. All the SHOC stuff baffles me a bit when searching for donor vehicles though! I'm keen to have the van shifting so the 2.5 is my first choice. I'll hopefully get the car in the next month so I can strip out, get the shell gone and get the van on the drive before the weather turns.

A new socket set, and some high lift equipment too, and I'm on it. Going to be "pooh" scary!

Have you considered the 3.0 H6 (Flat 6) lump as it is very quiete when sitting at 60-70mph but sings well when accelerating hard and it goes like hell with 220bhp. Just a thought. I have also ran an EJ22 which was great but the H6 for me is so much smoother and faster plus its chain driven.

Whatever you go for will be a massive improvement over the dg!

Good luck with conversion and if you ever in the norfolk area give us a shout and il take you for a spin so know what a flying wedge is like haha

[christofy]

Turbo is another route you could go but got to then mess about with intercoolers and turbo's. If its power you want my choice would be H6.

[christofy]

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[Dazco]

Reading all this with interest, how are you all going with projects?
Christofy that engine looks sweet

[christofy]

Cheers dazco

[chuckle-bus-tom]

My main concern is getting good MPG as van is used for going away a month at a time maybe 2-3 times a year.

Would anyone be able to give me rough MPG I could expect from a Subaru 2.2?

I am also looking for much improved MPG , the LPG route is also in my thought process at the moment, but I have read forum posts all about Subaru and LPG not being happy friends..... ?

LPG will be fine, you just need to look outside of the conversion box the T25 has been squeezed into (http://www.tinleytech.co.uk/lpgprices.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

[christofy]

Lpg does not suit subaru engines at all as the suffer from valve seat recession. My ej22 returned around 27mpg combined and 30-32mpg on a run if kept below 70. The ez20 has slightly more bhp and slightly better mpg I believe. Not sure if it's as tourqy tho

[pionte]

We needed a cheap run around car for the Mrs, so have just bought a Subaru Impreza 2.0 NA , it has LPG conversion done 2 years ago ( less than 20K miles ) car has now done 93k with FSH , It will be interesting to see how it behaves . if it was a 2.2 or larger I would be seriously tempted to use it as a donor.

It does have a flashlube system installed , so perhaps this is to help alleviate problems with the valve seats.

Must say that I loved filling it up with LPG for the first time !

[christofy]

Will be interesting to see the results. Would be great if the flashlube works. I'd love to lpg my h6 as it is a bit thirsty at 23-26 mpg. The ej20 is about the same bhp as the ej22 depending on year I think and my 135bhp ej22 was great to drive. Depends what you want tho. Ej25 is a great compromise between power/economy

[pionte]

I think that this EJ20 is only the 115BHP one, ( year 2000, classic shape estate model ) some I think are 125 BHP ? It certainly doesnt feel very quick . From what I have read on other Subaru forums, its the Turbo engines that really dont like LPG .. and people have been reporting 90000kms on LPG with no issues. To be honest I doubt that I will do even 5000 miles per year so maybe I shouldnt worry too much about it . Its the cost of the initial conversion that is the biggest chunk of money, so a few years down the line if the heads have to be replaced its not going to be too costly... not like rebuilding a WBX !

My current wish list has the H6 at the top...

[christofy]

Yea good point. I'm happy for now but may look into lpg in the future. Have you been in an h6 bus yet? I love it. Plenty of power yet very smooth