Club 80-90 Forums

Hi guys
Before I start I have read the wiki and rjes, just after info from people who have done this,
I have my heart set on a subaru conversion to replace the dg in me van currently wanting to do the swap for better miles and reliability, plus there sound great(even tho I do like the sound of the dg)
I have worked on engines in the past but never done a conversion, I am very competent using tools and have the confidence to try and do this myself
I am thinking of purchasing the car soon, getting rid of the other half's megane tdi and making her use it through the year and doing the change over next winter,stripping some bits of the subaru to sell to recoup some costs
Thus giving me time to acquire the parts needed and testing the engine out along the way
My questions are
which engine should I look out for
Which car is best for the conversion
Maximum mileage I should look out for
Any other helpful info
Thanks in advance

Hi boboro, have a look at the alternative engine section below mate as lots of info on there. This one maybe worth a read:

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=112974" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

er correct me if I'm wrong but scooby engines are just as prone to user abuse as a VW engine.
Reiability is in the hands of the previous owner.
MPG is a little better but nowhere near the realms of a modern car.
power is the only grail worth seeking.

BTW you can fit practically any engine in the transporter engine bay, just wondering if you have considered the golf 1.8i aswell?
It's a little easier

Is this the 8v out of a mk 2 kev, I have been looking but can't see anything within the same price range I could pick the subaru up for £500ish

Scoob lump is good.. 2.2L is prob the best of the bunch for power and reliability.. but very scarce now.. (older)
2L either 125bhp or 116bhp are also good but of course not got the punch of the 2.5..
2.5 can be troublesome so unless its got paperwork for the heads being done properly.. I might look elsewhere...
Turbo models.. can be fragile from abuse...

I ran a 2L legacy estate (116bhp) for 4 years.. bought it with 156k on it.. but it had virtually full history and 1 doctor owner.. I only ever serviced it, wiper blades, a set of tyres and brake pads in 40k miles.. it got used and abused and driven very hard at times.. loaded with vw stuff and hauled trailers about.. drove it to France and Netherlands and back many times... I sold it rather than using engine as I had too many vehicles and no time... wish I hadn't..
early scoobs (pre 2002 ish) all had 7500 mile service intervals and cam belts every 45k.. later stuff 12k service and 60k cam belts..

I wouldn't hesitate fitting the 116bhp.. has good wide torque band.. so don't be put off by that and legacys are cheap.. Saloons go for low money but do have a massive boot. Plenty of impreza out there but be wary of boy racers..

But.. as said.. the VAG 2l inline engine is also a fine swap.. Mk2 Golf stuff isn't cheap now and the 1.8 doesn't have the torque so low.... so look at mk3 golfs then passats, skoda, seats and audi etc..

kevtherev wrote:power is the only grail worth seeking.

The sound is something that obviously needs to be factored in too.

Its all just torque

I've got a 2 litre legacy (116 bhp) with roughly 130k on the clock. Done all of it myself using everything from rjes and it was easier than I thort. Was the best thing I've done to my van.

Got a 2001 Legacy 2.0 here, its available with harness converted for T3. PM. if interested. Came from a good car that was parked at my local scrappers and got accidentally forklifted.