Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

Firstly apologies if I am repeating something that has already appeared in the forums, I have a quick look and couldn't see anything though;

We have a '79 T25 in great structural nick, the 2.0 AC engine however is a 3 cylinder at the moment and in a drastic state. Myself and my finacee are marrying this summer and we really want the van ready for a honeymoon, can someone tell me what kind of ball park figure we would be looking at for a cheap drive in-out engine conversion and who to contact? we are based in berkshire.

Looking at anything, mk2/3 golf engine to subaru, petrol/tdi most cost effective basically.

I have tried to get in touch with tsr but that's about the limit of my knowledge and have not heard anything back.

Sorry to be so vague, however ANY advice someone can give on this will be great and it seems a bit of a dark area and I am obviously not searching the right thing. Easy to find conversion parts but not a recommendation of who can do it or how much,

Thanks everyone, Joe

The main problem you will have is that your van is Aircooled. Which means there is no radiator, front radiator grill or piping to the front for cooling which makes it somewhat of a job to do the type of engine conversion you are talking about. You would be much better off in my opinion looking at getting your current engine sorted or a good replacement.

For a quality drive in drive out subaru conversion expect to blow a big hole in 5k.....

Perhaps a I4 (golf etc) petrol will be a bit cheaper as you use the D/TD parts to fit.. still a lot of work tho.. and sourcing sought after parts..

TD still gonna be between the scoob and I4 (might be harder to find a good engine for sensible money) and TDi is gonna be more.... still need the D/TD parts to fit too..

Of course there will always be someone willing to do stuff a lot cheaper.. but it can often end in tears... if you can do stuff yourself it all helps to reduce costs.. But there are always factors that need doing when you get into these things..

IMHO.. Its a good approximation based on being asked several times to do a conversion... T25's, Bay windows, even a type 3....


If I could line up a few conversions.. the workshop could be started... but the sudden realisation that its gonna cost more tha a few hundred usually hits home...

As suggested... A quality improved replacement engine with overhauled ancillaries (even Fi) would be a cheaper option... the difference in costs would pay for an awfull lot of fuel over time...

72BUG wrote:The main problem you will have is that your van is Aircooled. Which means there is no radiator, front radiator grill or piping to the front for cooling which makes it somewhat of a job to do the type of engine conversion you are talking about. You would be much better off in my opinion looking at getting your current engine sorted or a good replacement.

Exactly WHS^^^^

There is no "cheap" route to a conversion, especially A/C to W/C. Best route IMHO is a good replacement 2.0CU engine and there's always the option of an LPG conversion. Total cost will be around half that of a conversion to W/C, and it'll pay for itself over time.

Thank you for the advice everyone.

I think we shall stick to keeping an original engine in her then!