Date:         Mon, 7 Jun 2004 17:51:57 -0400
Reply-To:     Robert Harris <rdh24@CORNELL.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Harris <rdh24@CORNELL.EDU>
Subject:      Re: subaru conversion
In-Reply-To:  <BAY16-F73g2Kk3sxrDJ000049b3@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

I'm in the middle of putting an Subaru EJ22 into a Westy myself.  VW
transaxle is a good match for the Subie engine.  It's become a common
conversion, so any problems you run into will have been solved by others
before.  The Subaru-Vanagon mailing list and database that others have
mentioned makes it easy to tap into this collective wisdom -- an awesome
tool.  Few thoughts...

1. Mechanically the job is not very difficult, just very
lengthy/involved.  I'm a biologist, not a mechanic, and the extent of my
prior mechanical experience was changing the oil myself.  I've had no
insurmountable problems so far getting the engine into its new home, in
fact it's been a fun project.  Choices vary but I'm using Kennedy adapter
plate, flywheel, and wiring instructions (all mandatory); other parts from
Small Car.  www.smallcar.com  You're looking at maybe $1500 for this stuff
alone, maybe less depending on what you want to fabricate yourself.

2. The thorniest for most people is redoing the Subaru wiring
harness.  Allow a week of evenings for this task alone unless you're pretty
good with wiring diagrams.  Other big job is adapting the cooling system.

3. It will probably take longer and cost more than you'd anticipate, so not
a good option for those with no free time to burn whatsoever or marginal
funds to see it through.  Somehow those all those little jobs add up to
more runs to the hardware store and more than expected.  Got my biggest
credit card bill of my life yesterday, and the Westy was all to blame!  Oh,
but they're worth it, right?  In my case this included expense of various
tools I didn't have, though I consider this money very well spent.  The
Subie conversion is no cheaper in the short term than dropping in a rebuilt
wasserboxer, even neglecting the value of your time, if that was your van's
only problem.  In the long run though, the conversion makes excellent
economic sense -- the Subie 2.2L motor has more power and is legendary for
reliability and longevity; the wasserboxer is legendary for some other
qualities.  (oh, I can feel the flames coming)

Going to Subaru power isn't practical for everyone depending on their
situation, and the true VW purist may find the idea repugnant.  I can
definitely respect that.  IMHO, though, anyone facing a wbx rebuild owes it
to themself to at least consider the possibility.

Just my 2 cents.

Robert Harris
Ithaca, NY
'84 Westy almost Subaru powered
'95 Subaru Legacy (winter driver)
'93 Honda CB750




At 03:17 PM 6/7/2004 -0500, Steve Sandlin wrote:
>I need some of the list's wisdom.  I had an electrical fire in the engine
>area of my '84 Westy.  With everything that will have to be replaced, I've
>decided to do the Subaru conversion.  I just bought a wrecked '93 Legacy to
>get everything from.  I assume the Kennedy kit is the way to go, but are
>there other options I should consider?  My 1.9 was not hurt, but all the
>wiring, hoses, etc. were, so this is an ideal time to re-power.  I've been
>able to sell the VW engine at a good price, since it was just rebuilt and
>has brand-new heads.  I just want the list's comments, particularly from
>others who have done the conversion.  Any problems lurking I need to be
>aware of?
>Steve Sandlin
>Steve's Lock Shoppe