Club 80-90 Forums

Just wondering what the repercussions of doing a Subaru conversion would be in the VW World, is it looked down upon or is it all ok. I'm currently running a 1984 1.9 DG and she managed to get up Mount Dinas the other weekend bouncing between second and third gear. So what are your thoughts ?

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No more money for cake?

More seriously, this is an established conversion with specialist parts available off the shelf, so other than the cost of it you shouldn't face many problems. See:
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=193

Early 90,s 2.2 engines are a great replacement for a knackered vw engine, will add value to your vehicle if its done properly.

Finding one is the hard part. Already a classic engine in its own right.

I converted my van back in 2004, best thing i ever did sooooooo much more reliable much better fuel economy! never had a major problem with the engine for 13 years! tho did wreck a gear box but that was down to a spigot bearing breaking up!

silverbullet wrote:Finding one is the hard part. Already a classic engine in its own right.

Very happy here with a '99 2.0 of which there are plenty, and it's a good bump up from a wbx lotsa fun

From a potential buyers point of view, as much as I admire Scoobies, I think the real value is in originality. These vans are going through a transition period where they aren't quite classics in the sense of T2/E Type Jags etc but are getting there. In years to come, there is only one way prices are going to go and I think the clever money will be spent getting the original engine back up to spec (regardless whether it's an asthmatic rice pudding skin puller or not).

spherehopper wrote:From a potential buyers point of view, as much as I admire Scoobies, I think the real value is in originality. These vans are going through a transition period where they aren't quite classics in the sense of T2/E Type Jags etc but are getting there. In years to come, there is only one way prices are going to go and I think the clever money will be spent getting the original engine back up to spec (regardless whether it's an asthmatic rice pudding skin puller or not).

Absoluteky agree with this - there is no way that an engine swap will make the van more desirable in future, even if it seems like a good idea now. There are so many T25 frankenstein's monsters out there already that in my opinion it would be a real shame to remove any more of the serviceable original engines that are left. It seems obvious that somewhere down the line this would be seen as a regrettable mistake.

There are always different opinions on these things. For me.... Depends really. If you like using it and don't intend on doing things purely in the hope that one day an original van will be worth more (there's no guarantee that will be the case anyway), do it.

You don't change anything major to install the scoob so if originality for a future sale is a concern, keep the original engine to swap back if required.

Have put the AGG 2ltr golk gti in mine.

cheaper alternative to scooby doo...parts are aavailable...pleasure to drive...insurance don't care as its still vw

only reason I got the van was I knew it would take a subaru engine , and I don't mind what the value is when I'm finished as whatever its worth it will be good fun

Well the opinion that value will be effected is bull! I got more selling mine because of its subaru engine, that delivers better smoother power, much more reliable. much better economy. original may be better but only if its a desirable model to start with!

I did the cosworth conversion in mine. I spent a lot of money and time doing it. The end result was a fantastically powerful vehicle with no impact on the exterior. (well apart from the way I built and mounted the exhausts). I had 220bhp underfoot and Accelerator was relentless.

However, to sell it I have gone back to the 1.6Jx Td motor as it makes the crewcab more appealing to buyer and the value has increased.

I have the full conversion on the floor next to my crewcab and it is going on ebay seperatly from the crewcab.

Anything you do to them will remove a mass of buyer, maybe adding a few for the conversion.

I agree, tweaking them changed the selling potential.

Dickspanner

I think the cosworth would have a bigger impact than a subaru. The subaru is really common so parts are cheap, more info kicking about, less thirsty (correct me if I'm wrong with this or any of it really) and still a flat 4 that sits in the engine bay with pretty much no modifications to the metalwork.

Plus the cosworth is probably worth more as an engine conversion to a specific person than a ready converted van. This isn't a criticism of the cosworth swap btw, I'm all for it!

Do what you want with it, none of it can't be undone!

Am I right in thinking the Subaru ej range are not mechanical distributed ? and therefore will require the Subaru computer and wiring loom?. I'm an old dog but this seems mega work to me. Rebuild your dg buddy.

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