Subaru engine into Bug

[Wentzel]

Hi,

I'm posting this out of interest and a friend that thought about installing a subaru engine into his baja. Personally I don't like bajas or installing watercooled engines into beetles.

Is it difficult to install a subaru engine into a beetle, the space shouldn't be a problem in a baja but the adapter plate and mods to the gearbox to handle it. Any other things to consider?
What is the entimated cost of a subaru engine? Which engine will be the best for this conversion? I thought that the 2L Turbo would be nice. Any advice or comments please.

Thank You
Regards

[vuyo]

http://bb.bbboy.net/vwengineconversions ... um?forum=3

[Chris]

Tom Bishop has done a Scoobie conversion.Check out the Subaru Bug in projects.

[Wentzel]

Thanks guys, will look into it.

Regards

[Tom Bishop]

The best motor for a Baja will be the 2.2 or 2.5 SOHC motor, they have less KW but smoother torque curve. The 2L turbo is a bit of a wild cat, nothing at first then all hell breaks loose.

An adapter plate from KEP (USA) will cost +- 7k. this includes fly wheel, hi-torque starter, clutch and pressure plate. if you want to use the 2L you will need a gearbox to handle 280BHP, middle gearbox mount, straps, rhino mounts, relocate the turbo, convert to hydraulic clutch to pull the heavy clutch, engine managment = more money.

I have not kept track but the 2L convertion will cost you min 22k including the box with your own labour. I know for this money you can build quite a potent beetle motor but the Scoob is putting out 280KW from the factory (reliable) and from there you can start modding it if this is not enough.

The Scoob motor sits very low and you will have to either cut the sump or raise the engine and gearbox(which i am now about to do).

Unless you want to fit a scoob motor, I would rather recomment fitting a 1.8 carb golf motor. This is a far more common = easier and cheaper. This is about the cheapest and quickest way you can get 70KW in the back of a VW.

Cheers

[Wentzel]

Hi,

Thanks Tom,

I will talk to the person, don't know what his budget is like but I tend to agree on the non turbo engines. Maybe for starters at least . Must be fun to drive!?

How much do you have to raise the engine?

Regards

[black speedster]

Hi Wentzel

Just want to let you know I have had a Subaru engine fitted to my speedster. for starters there are adaptor plates manufactured locally that work just fine. I have a modified clutch plate fitted and it works just fine, The standard starter is definatly up to the job. Some cutting is required when fitted to a beetle. You will need to manufacture a custom exhaust and boost pipes during the install anyway. so relocating the turbo is not an issue. The sound that comes out of a subaru motor sounds correct. The engine lid can close over the motor.

Overall I say that the subaru motor is the best option when a transplant is being considered. If you do the work yourself I would expect that the wholle job is going to cost in the region of about R22000 inluding the motor. I would recomend that you go to someone who has done this type of conversion before and pay the extra ten grand for there expertise. Yes it is not cheap but you get what you pay for.

For the record the wrx motor in standard form with the standard turbo running about .7 bar will deliver between 160 - 180kw. Remember you can increase the boost u to about 1.3 bar without making changes to the internals and the power will go up to about 220kw without to mutch trouble.

You will need to install an aftermarket engine management system to control the fuelling and ignition. Again speak to someone who has installed one of the systems onto a Subaru motor. You can easly damage the ignition coils if you get this wrong and they do cost big bucks to replace.

I went the route of having my conversion done and the big thing is to be patient. remember that a conversion is not the main source of revenue for these guys they make there money from general wrenching. If they had to charge an hourly rate for a conversion we would not be able to afford it. My conversion took a month longer than expected but at least every time that I visisted them they had made some sort of progress. If you start getting upset with them all you are going to do is upset yourself and the guy doing the work.

Feel free to ask any other questions

[flatfourfan]

Greg we all wanna see more pics..................

[BARON]

Wentzel
check this
http://bb.bbboy.net/vwengineconversions ... &thread=72
baron

[badbug]

Signature Performance apparently specialise in EJ20 conversions on Bugs, Kombi & Spider replicas.

Think they in JHB?

[porsche914]

Im looking for a 2.0 type 4 engine in running condition, or a recon will do the job, anybody know where i can find a vw engine exchange shop in gauteng area? I also want to know where i can get my hands on a 911 fan and shroud kit to fit the type 4 engine

[ridhaa choo]

Greg we all wanna see more pics..................

I just wanted to know if you can add me on whatsapp
0612710382
Im keen to do this conversion as it's been jeavy on my mind for a while now im in cape town and need prices and places to go to

[Tony Z]

why do you want to do this?

[Reegz]

Bit of necro here. Recently watched this on YouTube. Okes dropped a STI engine into the back of a Beetle. Ended up making well over 200kW. In fact, they say that once they got the tuning all sorted they were making over 300kW at the wheels.

Insane!

[YouTube]https://youtu.be/hpb2Him9CUo[/youtube]

[freddiebooysen]

Hehe wow really nice vid.