Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 20:32:29 -0800
Reply-To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject: Re: Subaru engines in the long run
In-Reply-To: <EDA05BE5C3D2D011AB4B00A024E9B822E70D22@apd-exch01.aerojetp d.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I say I have to agree with all of what you are saying. In short the Subaru
egine swap is expensive (as expensive as a wasserboxer rebuild) and the
amount of enthusiast support (i.e. Internet) is very little to none so no
free advice.
So far I am happy with the Audi Fox / Rabbit engine swap that I am doing.
My total cost so far ( the swap is not finished yet ) is about $850
Canadian and $800 of that is for the KEP adapter and flywheel, $35 for the
engine (heck the whole Audi!). Rabbit/Golf engines are a dime a dozen,
they are reliable to about 300,000km without a rubuild and can be found at
every junk yard. So far the swap has been quite simple and the CIS
injection is a lot easier to install than the Subaru computer / injection
(no experince with the Subaru injecton but it CAN'T be any simpler than
Digifant was).
Ask me in about 2 weeks when I estimate my swap will be done - I sure my
responce will be the same and that I will be smiling quite a bit!
At 06:46 3/24/98 -0800, CARVER, JEFFREY D wrote:
>I'm pushing the limits of topicality, but a frank
>discussion of what is in store down the road for
>anyone contemplating a Subaru transplant is due.
>
>I have a '87 Subaru non-turbo 4WD wagon with
>around 220,000 miles on it (odometer failed).
>I'm the original owner.
>
>I'm getting a LOT of oil leaks, low oil pressure, and
>am facing the reality of having to replace the engine.
>Most leaks migrate to the exhaust manifold, ughh.
>
>Here's what I've found out (if anyone has any better
>options, please report)
>
>Nobody trusts a rebuilt bottom end, not dealers, not
>either of two independents. When the time comes,
>they all get NEW (and expensive) ones.
>
>At that point it's a crap shoot if you head is cracked or not.
>If so, it's about $400 for a new head, each.
>
>By the time you're done getting parts and installation, you are
>into this engine for over $3000. The blue book on my
>whole car is less than that.'
>
>OK, next option, used engine from Japan. They get them
>with around 30K on them. The cars rust out quickly, and
>go to scrap. Engines come to the US. 100 day warranty.
>Both shops report bad experiences, as the cars face stop
>and go traffic, little freeway, and with the knowledge that
>the car is scrap in a few years, little incentive for full
>maintenance. Engines full of sludge.
>
>I can get one of these longblocks for about $600 from Rising Sun
>Engines. Plus installation. SO doesn't want to run into a long
>installation as happened with the '80 Westi engine saga from
>a few years ago. (hey I got some VW content in here!)
>
>Wrecking yard engines are available with an unknown history.
>But that's where the conversion people started from anyway.
>
>I've heard to anticipate problems in regards to getting in writing
>that it's a California engine. I'll be calling yards today.
>
>The cost to fix it is close to the value of the car, and since we
>don't intend on keeping it (it goes when I get a Deluxe bus),
>and I hesitate to sell an asphyxiating vehicle to someone.
>We shoulda traded it in when we bought the Quest.
>
>There is NO Subaru list at ALL. NO Internet information at all
>unless you are using a Subaru in an aircraft. There is NO
>aftermarket support for them, unlike VW's ( love the lists).
>
>I don't just wanna Deluxe, I've graduated? into the needabus category.
>
>I'll be on vacation until the 30th, so see ya then and at Kelly Park!
>
>- Jeff Ineeda21/23windowsunroofDeluxewalkthru!
>to be used for daily driving
>'80 Westi (2) BOTH FOR SALE
>'66 Bus, Kombi FOR SALE
>'22 Piano, upright Kohler & Cambell FOR SALE
>'67 Sqbk '64 Ford Crewcab
>'87 Subaru 4WD '97 Nissan Quest
>Grass Valley, California, USA
>Jeffrey.Carver@Aerojet.com
>
>
-- David Marshall Email: david@volkswagen.org --
-- 78 1.8L VW Rabbit, 80 2.0L VW Caddy, 87 Audi 5KQ --
-- 85 VW Cabrio, 88 VW Syncro Double Cab Transporter --
-- Volkswagen Homepage http://www.volkswagen.org --
-- VW Caddy Homepage http://www.volkswagen.org/caddy --
-- USE DAVID@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG WHEN SENDIGN EMAIL --
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