Club 80-90 Forums

Hi you lot on the dark side I'm just curious to no whether a VR6 conversion is really complicated to do because I'm currently liking the idea of a scooby conversion but iv just seen a clip on YouTube with a vr6 in it and it sounds and looks awesome. Only I can't find any info on this type of conversion????

How "complicated" depends on your ability and determination.
If you have previous experience of engine swaps and the VR6 , its been done before so isnt impossible.
On the other hand if this is your first time doing something like this, its going to be some learning curve!
Do some homework , ask specific questions and you will get start to get some answers or opinions.
Try googling T25 VR6 and T3 VR6 for starters ....

Have a look at Carpmasters Volvo B230 thread and my V8 project for an idea of whats involved in doing something different.

The subaru conversion is well supported with many ready made parts and a much larger number poeple with experience to advise you.

Good luck with whichever engine you choose , put up a thread on your project !

slobbo on here has a VR6 syncro, could be a good person to ask. In fact his van is for sale in the for sale section
lloyd

Google Vanagon VR6 as well.

If you do go down the VR6 route you'll need to alter/beef up the ratios in your gearbox to get the most out of the engine.

The conversion is well worth doing if it's done well and with the gearbox upgrade.

Mines got the stock 2.1 petrol gearbox and it suits the vr6. Torque curve very similar to the 2.1 so gear ratios are ok. I had to get my box rebuilt because of a knackered 3rd/4th syncro. Aidan and I looked at the ratios and I decided to stick with the 2.1. I wish I had gone to a slightly higher 4th as 70 on the motorway is 3200rpm. It would have been nice to drop it to about 2800 rpm.

The engine wi go in without butchering the engine bay too much but you need to move the water temp unit. It sits high as well.

The Bluestar VR6 I owned had the gearbox upgrade and it drove like the engine was meant to be there and under 3000 revs at motorway speeds....which is why I mentioned altering the ratios.

Do you remember what the ratios were? Was it the 5 speed?

Sorry no idea as the conversion was done in Germany before I bought the van....they did allow it to drive like a VR6 car though.
It was a 5 speed.

Ah could have been a stock 5 speed. The Syncro is a 4 speed if you don't include G

slobbo wrote:Ah could have been a stock 5 speed.

Erm...no!

It was rebuilt with different ratios and SA oil plates.

Or did I dream that bit and you know more than me about a bus I used to own.....

Sorry mate didnt mean to presume. The box in mine was aledgedy rebuilt with stronger gears etc but turned out it wasn't. So if you didnt di it yourself or have the receipt then i wouldnt necessarily believe it. I had thought the extra gear might be higher than the 4th gear on the standard box. The stock Syncro ratios are perfect except for the top gear hence my presumption

4-pot motors go in easier/cheaper than anything else.

If I hadn't already gone EJ25 in my petrol van, I'd be strongly inclined toward GTI or 20v turbo. VR6 not worth the bother IMO.

slobbo wrote:Sorry mate didnt mean to presume. The box in mine was aledgedy rebuilt with stronger gears etc but turned out it wasn't. So if you didnt di it yourself or have the receipt then i wouldnt necessarily believe it. I had thought the extra gear might be higher than the 4th gear on the standard box. The stock Syncro ratios are perfect except for the top gear hence my presumption

After all I've said and how the Bluestar drove you are still presuming it wasn't actually done...even though you started your above reply by apologising for presuming!

I owned the Bluestar about 5 years ago(maybe more) and I clearly remember seeing the receipt from Winkler for the gearbox work in the service history.....I'm not lying!

syncroandy wrote:4-pot motors go in easier/cheaper than anything else.

If I hadn't already gone EJ25 in my petrol van, I'd be strongly inclined toward GTI or 20v turbo. VR6 not worth the bother IMO.

If I was doing a conversion I would go diesel now. Petrol is too expensive now and the mpg on a petrol is usually a good third down on the consumption over diesel. Even with LPG you are only really are only bringing up roughly level with the diesel consumption but the LPG take up valuable storage space.