Club 80-90 Forums

I'm considering fitting a "New" engine in my bus over the winter, at present she has the original 1.9 wbx (petrol) and gives me approximately 22 mpg @ a steady 45 mph.
I've looked on the wiki and it seems that the cheaper option is to upgrade to a Subara 2.2 EJ22. Now my intention is to keep her for atleast 5 years and being the tight Scotsman that I am, I need to weigh up the pros and cons. I currently commute weekly ( 70 miles each way) and on a weekend away I'll do around 600 miles so in total I probably do about 8000 miles per year.

Pros- Better fuel economy
Faster
Will cruise at 70 mph instead of 70 kph
I'll be able to extend my distance travelled when I go for a weekend trip

Cons- Cost to buy and fit the replacement engine. (£1000 estimate)
I know very little about engine changing so would have to employ someone to do it for me
I'd lose the unique putt putt noise that my original pack makes when I'm cruising through the towns and villages of this fine country

I suppose when you look at the costs involved then it might be just as practical to swap with someone who has already done the swap and would like to go back to original
your thoughts and guidance would be most appreciated.


Thanks

Obviously difficult to tell from your description but a 1.9WBX returning 22mpg doesn't sound like it's on its last legs.

If your budget is £1000 ish why not consider an LPG conversion? You keep the originality (including the noise!), halve your running costs (my conversion paid for itself in 8000 miles and I've done 16000 since at an average of 55p per litre!) and, if you do want 'extended range' you can just fill the petrol tank as well and switch over when necessary.

Obviously it doesn't solve the speed issue but a nicely set up WBX should be happy to cruise at 60mph maybe even 65mph depending on overall set up and weight of the van etc. Mine certainly runs better on LPG than petrol, much smoother and no noticeable loss in power, in fact with the BLOS carb I find her a lot more driveable.

Just my 2p worth - lots more info in the 'Alternative fuels' forum on here.

LeeME3 wrote:Obviously difficult to tell from your description but a 1.9WBX returning 22mpg doesn't sound like it's on its last legs.

If your budget is £1000 ish why not consider an LPG conversion? You keep the originality (including the noise!), halve your running costs (my conversion paid for itself in 8000 miles and I've done 16000 since at an average of 55p per litre!) and, if you do want 'extended range' you can just fill the petrol tank as well and switch over when necessary.

Obviously it doesn't solve the speed issue but a nicely set up WBX should be happy to cruise at 60mph maybe even 65mph depending on overall set up and weight of the van etc. Mine certainly runs better on LPG than petrol, much smoother and no noticeable loss in power, in fact with the BLOS carb I find her a lot more driveable.

Just my 2p worth - lots more info in the 'Alternative fuels' forum on here.

Like the man said ^^

Maybe gas and a 2.1DJ which is a straight plug and play option but will cost a bit more.

Ian

If you can find a EJ22 and somebody that knows from experience how to install with correctly modified loom, then go for it, you will love the change for the better.And when it comes to selling your van you will be in a better position.

From what I have looked into, for a subaru engine + fitment will be significantly over £1000 probably more £2000-£3000.

Establish why you're dg can't cruise at 70 mph, mine does and a bit when the going is clear. LPG all the way but have a few checks done on the engine to see if it is in fact worth the investment.

Ps. £1000 could buy you a heap of trouble.

what2do wrote: Ps. £1000 could buy you a heap of trouble.

That's very true ^^. You are betwix and between ... too much for an unknown engine yet not enough for a good known one plus gas system install. The Scooby world I know very little of except that most need a well-built recon gearbox in the quite short-term.

Personally (and I say this because others drive differently to me) I'd say that satnav 70mph is on the upper limit of what I would call 'cruising' ... I tend to sit at around 65 to 70 in our 2.1 on gas, but then again I like sleeping in mine not laying under it.

Ian

You could always go down the AGG/ADY road and gas it.

approximately 22 mpg @ a steady 45 mph.

That is awful!

Our 2.6 SA bus with a faired-in roof tent, 5-up to Salzburg, Austria and back over 20 days (a lot of clothes), motorway cruising at 70mph (3300rpm with 4.57 diff and 0.77 diesel 5th gear) averaged exactly 19mpg and I was not shy about overtaking trucks, motorhomes or shed-draggers on long uphill stretches

I reckon your DG is well past it. Anything would be an improvement, you could be seeing low-to mid 20's mpg criusing at 60 with a good injected 2.1

Is your bus an auto?

No she's a 1.9 wbx petrol. What mileage should I be getting from her?

Well if it's a hitop or always loaded with 20 concrete sleepers it's not going to be the same as an empty tintop panelvan

Hauling furniture around costs fuel, hilly country only makes things worse. A little DG should return something mid-20's on a run if healthy, my syncro Caravelle would return 26mpg (2-up with minimal gear)on a run down to the west country with a carb'ed 2.1 and big tyres, keeping it at 60 mph but easing off on the hills.

Have you checked that you are getting vacuum advance on the distributor? If the capsule diaphragm has split it will knock the stuffing out of your mileage and performance.

1.8t ? Seem to be a lot more donors about than decent Subaru's these days. More frugaler..

would you really be comfortable going faster, I have sound proofed my hi top( no I don't mean just the top) very well, but wind and road noise makes it quite wearing at above 60 (3000rpm)

How tolerant is the 1.8T of being laid over @ 52 degrees?

Ich fahre einen Bulli. Ich hilfe mir selbst...meistens!

Yep my 1.9 DG Auto is happy at 65 on the flat and i have to back off as I drift into the 70s. On a hill is a different story. I originally intended on a 2.1 and should have held out and that's what I'd get with my heart. My head would go down the golf transplant. On petrol I don't get 22 more like 16 at 65-70 mph but as an auto I'd expect a bit less. The problem I've had with the carb could have added to the consumption. Seems to about the same on LPG