Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 14:24:39 -0500
Reply-To: Joe Luther <jluther@ALFONS-HAAR.US>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joe Luther <jluther@ALFONS-HAAR.US>
Subject: Re: Spare 2.1 engine - how big can I make it?
In-Reply-To: <170201cbc6f8$110fac60$6501a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Scott -
Thanks for the info. I read a lot about people adding WRX engines to
Vanagons back when I looked at a wasserboxer some years back, I decided to
wait on finding an air cooled.
You are correct that it's the Phase 2 SOHC engine, to the best of my
knowlwedge. They used the Phase 1 DOHC in the 98 Forester only, if the web
sources I've looked at are correct, and mine is a 99.
The lady who owned the car took it in religiously to the dealer for the 30k
major services so I was thinking (hoping) everything was done, including the
valves.
She had the HG's replaced about 30k ago as a preventative measure, she said.
She had no reason to misrepresent anything, she traded the car in and I was
getting it from the dealer.
Mine may not be gacking HG's quite yet but I'm getting the smell and the
coolant drop in the reservoir - no smoke, bubbling, pressurization, temp or
idle fluctuations.
It's probably a moot point, I'm selling it to a friend who works for a
Subaru dealer as soon as he sells a cabrio and I'm getting a Jetta wagon
with the 1.8T, hopefully.
OT a bit here I guess, but I just wanted to share my experiences with the OP
and be sure he looked into the HG and piston slap issues before going
through the work of transplanting a certain engine into his Vanagon. I can
certainly see why people like Subarus, the AWD is great here in SW Ohio but
I'm going back to what I know - VW's.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans [mailto:scottdaniel@turbovans.com]
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 1:50 PM
To: Joe Luther; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Re: Spare 2.1 engine - how big can I make it?
Joe,
not 'too vanagon' ...just 'subaruvanagon' ..but ..
is it a DOHC 2.5 ..
or is it a SOCH 2.5 ?
the DOHC 2.5 does have 'more' of a head gasket issue than most subaru
engines.
And ..
on used subaru engines with the typical 100+ K miles ..
it's always better to replace the head gaksets...
on all models of 1990 and later 4 and 6 cylinder engines ..
up to the SVX anyway ..
can't say about the 3.0 H6 in that regard..
but 'it's not uncommon' for subaru engines to need new head gaksets.
and on the DOHC 2.5 near as I can tell..
their valve clearances are almost never checked until there's a problem ..
they use shims and it's a tricky job to deal with them with the engine in a
subaru car.
I recently found 6 of 8 exhaust valve clearances tighter than spec.
the valve clearnace shims btw..
for a VW diesel they cost a buck or two..
for the DOHC 2.5 ( commonly seen in 97 and 98 Outbacks ) they cost almost $
11 each !
now that I think about it ..
I suspect your engine is a SOCH 2.5.
Many people don't realize those have adjustable rocker arm screws ..
just like an old VW.
they also have roller cam followers..
which is what all more modern engines designed for oil with less zinc in it
( which is almost all car oils now ) have .
Done well, the subauru engine option is very, very rewarding in a vanagon.
it's 'more' of everything ..
more power, more throttle response, another 1,000 rpm to play with, better
fuel economy.
Knock sensor ignition with no distributor etc.
The parts are expensive, very, but you usually only have to buy them once,
like say a timing belt or some guide wheels for it.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
