What year Subaru to go for?

Post by **retro_car_man** » 08 Mar 2022, 22:11

Hey guys, looking to do a 2ltr Subaru swap in my 83 DG engined bus. What year of donor car should I be looking at?

Post by **rollercoaster** » 09 Mar 2022, 08:04

2.2 litre non turbo was what went into mine,
seemed perfect, dont know what year it was.

Post by **slowcoach** » 09 Mar 2022, 19:45

Not many 2.2s around, but there are loads of 2.0 na engines about (I think you can even buy a new block today), very strong and simple units from legacy's, imprezzas, forester etc. Mines a '99 forester. If you contact RJES engineering, he will direct you. Or even better check his (rather ageing) website, the information is all there and 100% accurate.

Post by **izzybarnard** » 09 Mar 2022, 20:05

Evening
If you went the EJ2.5 route you can go to a 253 engine mark.
I've got a full list of conversion parts you'd need if it helps.
Cheers

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Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 12 Mar 2022, 20:59

Are you sure. I think a nice 2.1DJ would give you sufficient power gains you are looking for. A good & much easier upgrade. A noticeable improvement in torque & top speed. You can use all your existing ancillaries & could even move the DG heads across, so you’d just need the bottom end only, ~£350, and they are pretty bomb proof with respect to bearing wear. Lap the valves and change the valve stem seals, a machine shop will charge you £350, or do it yourself. That’s a new engine then and will see you ok for 60k miles for relatively low cost.

[Sorry - my bad Andrew. I meant valve guides, not stem seals]

Post by **izzybarnard** » 12 Mar 2022, 21:19

I went from a 2.1DJ to a Subaru EJ2.5 and the difference is totally 100% worth it.
I'm not sure its as 'cheap' as you think it may be but our Bus is a keeper and I'm 100% pleased with all we've done with all the help we've had with some top chaps along the way

Not cheap to do it properly but the difference is massive.
Cheers

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Post by **ajsimmo** » 12 Mar 2022, 23:25

Just popped in to say there are no valve stem seals on a WBX.
I have nothing very useful to say about Subaru conversions as I've never owned one, (apart from maybe best not to run them on LPG). I have done a conversion for a customer (DH to 2.0 n/a), and he seemed very happy.

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Post by **JeffRoo** » 20 Mar 2022, 07:36

retro_car_man wrote: ↑08 Mar 2022, 22:11 Hey guys, looking to do a 2ltr Subaru swap in my 83 DG engined bus. What year of donor car should I be looking at?

Have you seen my post in general chat about historic vehicle status? Change the dg to a Subaru and you can kiss free road tax goodbye. As a 83 you are only a year away

Post by **Billecartz** » 22 Mar 2022, 06:26

I just fitted a Subaru EZ30R engine, approx 250HP. Goes like the wind, but a little thirsty

T3 EZ30R Engine

Post by **ajsimmo** » 25 May 2024, 08:18

Billecartz wrote:I just fitted a Subaru EZ30R engine, approx 250HP. Goes like the wind, but a little thirsty

T3 EZ30R Engine

How's your gearbox holding up?

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