Date:         Mon, 23 Dec 2013 14:21:42 -0800
Reply-To:     Rob <vwrobb@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rob <vwrobb@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Engine woes -  what to do?
Comments: To: Todd Last <rubatoguy@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <1572445536.2329507.1387832970848.JavaMail.root@comcast.net >
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed

My last conversion (a '94 Subaru 2.2 into an '84 
Westy) cost me around $3,000 & I did all the work 
myself. Be aware that you can spend a lot more than that..
Brand new Subaru 2.5 engines (short block) are 
available through the dealer (shop around!) if 
you are not happy with the donor engine you 
find.  The subaruvanagon list on yahoo is the place to start.
http://www.rockymountainwesty.com/category_s/140.htm 
sells conversion kits. I did mine with mostly KEP 
parts 
http://www.kennedyenginc.com/Pages/default.aspx & 
I did the harness conversion myself. If I was 
going to have the harness done I'd contact Tom 
Shiels http://www.subaruvanagon.com/conversion_services_Wiring.htm .

I cannot offer advice on any other conversion as 
I've only done Subaru conversions. I did have a 
lot of trouble free miles driving my 84... FWIW 
with the 130hp Subaru 2.2 it did merge like a real car under all conditions.

FWIW BusDepot sells rebuilt 2.1 engines if you're 
looking for a cost comparison & there is a guy 
right now on the Subaruvanagon list with a low 
mileage 2.1 trying to figure out a price for it 
if you're looking for an easy out. Good luck!

Rob
vwrobb@gmail.com
I would do another Subaru conversion at the drop of a hat....



At  12/23/2013 01:09 PM, Todd Last wrote:
>After almost 230,00 miles my '88 Vanagon is 
>displaying symptoms of a head leak - I have not 
>yet confirmed this or done a recent compression 
>test, but plan to do so.  I have concluded that 
>one of the worst things you can do to your van 
>is not use it. Bad things happen when they are left sitting!
>In any case I am looking at my options, and 
>started out thinking about replacing the heads, 
>then thought if I was going to do that, I might 
>as well put in new piston rings too, and well, 
>once you do that you might as well go a step 
>farther and do an engine rebuild.  Of course, 
>once you get there, the question becomes, stock, 
>modified (like GoWesty) or engine swap.  In 
>looking at these options, it looks like a cost 
>of $5,000 or more. From what I have seen, Subaru 
>conversions can reach over $10K.  Yikes!
>Â
>I was wondering if I could get opinions on the 
>best course of action in this situation, not 
>wanting to spend tens of thousands of dollars. 
>Would list memebers give me their 2 cents worth 
>and if possible, what the aproximate costs for 
>the various solutions range from?  I'm not sure 
>if it makes more sence to just install new heads 
>and hope for the best, or go full bore and swap the engine.
>Â
>What does the voice of experience say? Anyone 
>out there have opinions on the GoWesty 
>performance engines vs. a Subaru transplant?
>Â
>Thanks,
>Todd
>'88 Westy
>Â