Date:         Sat, 4 May 2013 20:48:28 -0400
Reply-To:     David Milo <dellaone@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Milo <dellaone@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Subie swap curiosity
In-Reply-To:  <CANY=VZad+admaMDu7SPY=_LZLurUc3wXH7p_0gwL30zL_E6C_g@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I read the same comments from Hobart, but do not understand why 30 to 40
more horsepower would "blow it out". Other than Hobart's accounts, the only
actual stock transmission cooler failures I have heard about are the mixing
of coolant and transmission fluid within the cooler, and that was with the
stock 2.1 engine, not resulting from a conversion. Our van is driven year
round near Pittsburgh PA, (salted roads included), and this failure mode
has not happened to us.

Personally, I drive my Subaru powered Vanagon like I used to drive it when
it had the 2.1. Yes, there is more power, and you can cruise effortlessly
at 70 MPH without worrying. I will say that the Subaru 2.2L is not as silky
smooth as a 2.1L VW, as it does create certain resonances at cruise ( in
the transmission selector for instance, it can cause a buzz), but overall,
I would never go back. It keeps on going and going, and even a timing belt
replacement in situ isn't as difficult as replacing a rusty 2.1L exhaust
system. IMHO.

Dave


On Sat, May 4, 2013 at 8:23 PM, Miguel Pacheco <mundopacheco@gmail.com>wrote:

>  I have a 90 GL Automatic that is a dream to drive. I have wondered if the
> subie would be as smooth as that little 2.1.
> Miguel
>
> Miguel
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, May 4, 2013 at 5:50 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
> > I've never tried running one with the stock vanagon oil cooler on the
> > trans.
> > Hobart Kenedy says somewhere in his materials that he blew out a few ..
> > hence the need for an external aftermarket one.
> >
> > I grind the weights down a tad after I have it running successfully.
> > ymmv
> >
> >
> >
> > On 5/4/2013 4:42 PM, David Milo wrote:
> >
> >> I beg to differ as far as the requirement for a replacement automatic
> >> transmission cooler is concerned, at least using a 2.2L Subaru engine. I
> >> have approximately 90,000 miles on my 2.2L Subaru conversion, and it is
> >> using the stock Vanagon automatic transmission cooler with the original
> >> automatic transmission currently at 245,000 miles. Some folks also
> >> maintain
> >> that the auto box transmission governor flyweights can be ground in
> order
> >> to increase shift point RPMs, but I find that if the transmission
> linkage
> >> is properly adjusted, there is absolutely no need to do that.
> >>
> >> Just my experience.
> >>
> >> Dave
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, May 4, 2013 at 5:38 PM, Sudhir Desai <sudhir.desai@gmail.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>  And the auto trans can handle more power, as well (if you care about
> >>> those
> >>> sorts of things). ;)
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Sat, May 4, 2013 at 4:44 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
> >>> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>  it's easier with fewer parts.
> >>>> The KEP adapter and flywheel/torque converter drive plate costs less
> >>>> than their manual trans adapter and flyhweel..
> >>>> and there's no clutch kit to buy either.
> >>>> You do need one extra part..
> >>>> an oil cooler for the auto trans. Either a air-type finned oil cooler
> or
> >>>> check out Heat Sink for vanagon auto trans.
> >>>>
> >>>> plus....it's a pretty sweet combo ..
> >>>> subaru engine with vanagon auto trans .
> >>>>
> >>>> scott
> >>>> www.turbovans.com
> >>>>
> >>>> On 5/4/2013 1:06 PM, JRodgers wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>  Is the subie engine swap into an Auto-tranny V-gon more complicated
> >>>>> than
> >>>>> into a manual tranny V-gon? Extra things, pieces, parts, etc??
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Opinions?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Thanks,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> John
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
>