Replace 1.9 Engine with 2.1 or Subaru?

[triumph2.5pi]

Hi all
I have a 1988 1.9 Autosleeper high top and the engine is on its way out. I’m considering replacing it either with a fully rebuilt 2.1 engine, or possibly a Subaru unit, as I would like more power the the 1.9 provides.
The simplest option appears to be a fully rebuilt 2.1 unit from The VW Engine Company, as they're not far from me and I can literally drop the van off and collect it with a new engine, which is the kind of service I need.
Is there anyone, preferably in the south east of England who would do a complete Subaru conversion for me, supply and fit?
I know about Rjes Engineering for getting the parts and heard about a company in Aberystwyth to fit, but that's just too far from Hastings.
Also, any other insight into why it may be worth going the extra mile to fit Subaru, rather than an original VW engine would be gratefully received. 
Thank you.
 

[Stesaw]

If I recall you'd need to replace the fuel tank. For a subaru or for anything fuel injection.
Carb models have a smaller outlet on the tanks compared to fuel injection ones.

Take into account that more power from a subaru could possibly strain your gearbox and cause you problems.
You could run a 2.1 happily on the carb and other bits from the 1.9 which could save you pennies, although while its out I'd get the carb cleaned and rebuilt. I'm yet to install my 2.1 so I dont know the difference power wise between a 1.9 and the 2.1. The subaru is gonna be more powerful either way but more expensive.

[Da dan]

Don’t rule out the mk3 golf agg!!! Prob the most fuel economy too. I had the 1.9 dg which did what it did and I loved it at 65mph and about 18-22mpg. Agg golf gti mk3 engine now sees me 26-30mpg at 70 mph but 2.1, golf gti or Subaru (which I’m told is about 25mpg but about £2k more) will all do what you need it to. Gear box should be ok either way if not too knackered? It’s not a race car. Question is
1- how deep are your pockets?
2- are you a purist?
3- what do you want from your van!

Just do your homework on whoever you get to do it.

Don’t forget your engine will have a resale value to off set your choice. Only a little but all helps


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[triumph2.5pi]

If I recall you'd need to replace the fuel tank. For a subaru or for anything fuel injection.
Carb models have a smaller outlet on the tanks compared to fuel injection ones.

Take into account that more power from a subaru could possibly strain your gearbox and cause you problems.
You could run a 2.1 happily on the carb and other bits from the 1.9 which could save you pennies, although while its out I'd get the carb cleaned and rebuilt. I'm yet to install my 2.1 so I dont know the difference power wise between a 1.9 and the 2.1. The subaru is gonna be more powerful either way but more expensive.

Thank you. I didn't know fuel injection would mean a fuel tank change. 

[triumph2.5pi]

Don’t rule out the mk3 golf agg!!! Prob the most fuel economy too. I had the 1.9 dg which did what it did and I loved it at 65mph and about 18-22mpg. Agg golf gti mk3 engine now sees me 26-30mpg at 70 mph but 2.1, golf gti or Subaru (which I’m told is about 25mpg but about £2k more) will all do what you need it to. Gear box should be ok either way if not too knackered? It’s not a race car. Question is
1- how deep are your pockets?
2- are you a purist?
3- what do you want from your van!

Just do your homework on whoever you get to do it.

Don’t forget your engine will have a resale value to off set your choice. Only a little but all helps


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, I hadn't actually considered the GTI engine. The AGG is the 8v version, right? Is the 16v ABF also an option? 

I'm budgeting maybe around £5k all in but could potentially spend more if I need to. I'm not a purist but I would want to avoid doing anything that could damage resale value. I'm looking for enough power to make driving effortless, and good long term reliability. Good MPG a nice bonus but not high on my list.

I've been quoted around £4,250 by The VW Engine Company for a completely rebuilt 2.1, supplied and fitted including checking of all ancilliaries, plus £400 surcharge as the exchange is a 1.9 and not a 2.1. 

I'm not sure I want to spend £1000s to fit a second hand Subaru/GTI engine, but maybe my budget will not stretch to an engine rebuild and fit for those engines?

 

[irishkeet]

Speak to Andrew Simmons (campershack) on here first about engine rebuilds

sorry cant remember his 8090 username

[Stesaw]

ajsimmo

[300CE]

+1 for Andrew at Campershack

The VW box, if in a good condition, is good for about 200bhp.

[triumph2.5pi]

Update! So in the end I went with a 2.1DJ from the VW Engine Company in Kent, currently running the original 1.9 Pierburg carb (with a view to maybe switching to a "better" carb or some kind EFI at a later date). I've only done a couple of hundred miles so far, but all's running extremely well and I have been very impressed with their professional service from start to finish. 
Thanks for all the input here, it's much appreciated 

 

[Stesaw]

Good to hear. 2.1 pulls better on hills I assume? 

[triumph2.5pi]

Good to hear. 2.1 pulls better on hills I assume? 

I would say there's not a great noticeable difference in acceleration (apart from maybe at the top end, I don't know yet I'm still running it in!), but there's certainly more torque and it's most noticeable when climbing hills. I find you can hold onto higher gears for longer, or not need to change down when I would have done with the 1.9.

[Stesaw]

Thats good then, there are EFI aftermarket kits you can get, but I think they come at quite a price. I've looked at them for my 2.1 when I get it fitted but that's for future me to worry about.

[silverbullet]

The VW box, if in a good condition, is good for about 200bhp.

I have spent quite a lot of money on my gearbox to make it ready for 180bhp/280Nm+ which puts it well into the danger zone. Unless fully rebuilt with HD 3rd and 4th (the originals have very fine teeth and can be stripped with excess torque), oiling plates, main shaft shim plate and other work, a strong engine in a heavy camper will destroy it.

PS you can alwys run a 2.1 with the 1.9 carb and distributor, gives you a nice torquey 90hp or so if its a fresh DJ engine, you will lose a little top end power and it maybe a fraction down on mpg but they do work well.

PPS the later type gearboxes (5-speed especially) are rated at 200Nm and something like a 100,000mile / 10 year life, after which VW expected you to be buying a new van!

[philmcC]

I have a 2.1 WBX stealth engine on carburettor built by Ian of Holman Engineering.
It is an excellent engine and does everything I would want in my syncro Autohomes Komet.
philmcC

[silverbullet]

Re: 16v ABF, the problem area is the inlet manifold, which wraps over the cam cover. Possibly ok in a pickup, might go into a syncro (more headroom in the engine bay) but tricky in a 2wd. It has been done but the inlet side is a cut n shut TIG welding job.
Same applies to the (overlooked) 125bhp non-turbo 1.8 20v as used in the B5 passats and Audi A4's. Same block as the AGG, so the JX sump and oil pump will fit. Inlet manifolds dont wrap over thebtop but come in many shapes and stick out the side quite a bit and it was designed as a 15° engine, so when laid over it gets tall...
Engine mounts are available, exhaust will need to be a custom job.