Club 80-90 Forums

considering the big move(engine upgrade)
only question is petrol or diesel so would like some feedback from both sides of the camp if possible
have a 2.1 MV panel van syncro at present and the gearbox has been rebuilt with higher 3rd and 4th gears form long enterprises
will not do the job myself so may be costly

I have fallen in love with a Subaru EJ22.

If you like the performance of the MV you will love the Subaru.

MV 95bhp
EJ22 ~140bhp

It's just SO tractable - in town, in 3rd (taller, like yours) and it just surges about the place beautifully. Bags of torque. I took it out on the motorway last night, too and it was lovely and smooth and quiet....... until you plant your right foot....... at which point it bellows and just goes and goes and goes - remember the EJ22 is redlined at 6500, which is about 1000RPM more than the WBX. The key difference is that the Subaru likes the redline, unlike the WBX, which would rather not, if you don't mind!

This engine is what the WBX should have been, which makes it so ideally suited to the T25.

Did I mention that it's smooth as you like?

Did I mention that with the Subaru can be fitted with a std WBX exhaust from the j-pipe onwards?

Hi Tom
like the idea of the performance of the EJ22, but not sure of the running costs
looking to end up with a vehicle which I can afford to run and will cruise at 70 plus
get the impression both diesel and the scooby options will do it but the EJ22 would have to be gassed(lpg) to make it economical
throw your comments at me lads, I would like to hear all sides

go tdi mate , keep it vw , mine is chipped to 110bhp and i get 35-40mpg need to up grade gear box like yours, can do or give advice on conversion if needed, not as costly as you think, give it some thought mate either way keep your van on the go

Phil and Gary, if our paths cross you're both welcome to a drive out in the van - Gary to see how good the EJ22 is, Phil, to prove that keeping it VW isn't the only option .

Previously I would have said 'keep it VW' and I know there are some good diesel conversions possible, but the Subaru has really won me over on so many fronts. It even trumps the 2.3 Audi 5 cylinder - and that takes some trumping!

now how soon can I get to Bristol

will take you up on that diamond, are you up this way at all, going to any shows here abouts??????????, let you play in by van too

Go Subaru, better economy than the WBX, much better performance, more drivable, just better all round!!!!!

And you will never grow tired of seeing the surprise on the faces of the people you overtake

Hi Klatuu
where up north are you?
Gary

Couldn't agree more, the Subaru is definetely the way to go, mine fair old flies along, this engine (EJ22 or EJ20) should have been the way VW naturally progressed the flat four engine, but then the japs are a little more forward thinking.

Ok, so as far as economy goes TDi is apparox 35-40mpg
what does the ej20/ej22 get and how does that relate in LPG
also subarus suffer slighty from coolant issues, what are the TDi`s weaknesses if any?

My 2.2 (EJ22) is in a panel van and will do 28mpg all day on petrol, it drops slightly on LPG as they all do to about 26mpg or 68mpg petrol equivalent, so were does the diesel score of economy?
The Scoobs has approx 140bhp output too, more than enough to project a 2 ton van well over the 110 mph mark and if the scooby is set up correctly they do not suffer from heating problems, its only when they are "messed" about with, they suffer.

TDI's weak point is the cylinder head, seen a fair few that have cracked between the valves and the fuel port, this again is a heat problem, all engines set up properly and maintained properly will give years of service.