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88westy

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Posts posted by 88westy

    how much room is there?

    in Vanagon Conversion Discussion

    Posted

    A friend of mine is thinking about doing a Subaru conversion in his 86 Vanagon Westy, and I'm just curious how much room there is in the engine bay with an EJ22 or an EJ25 in there. Can you change the timing belts, water pump, rocker cover gaskets, etc without too much trouble?

     

    Anybody got pics that illustrate this?

     

    There's slightly more room with the Subie engine in there than with the VW engine.

     

    Chaning the timing belt will depend on which engine mount system you use... with the KEP mount, it will be tight but doable; with the Small Car mount, you will probably have to drop the engine to get at the timing belt.

    Another new conversion project...

    in Vanagon Conversion Discussion

    Posted

    Some folks have experimented by removing the lower two KEP adapter studs (attaching the VW transmission), drilling out the theaded holes in the adapter to close tolerance, and installing larger (stronger) bolts. Both ends of the lower fasteners are accesable from the bottom; might have to grind the side of the bolt head to fit from the engine side. From what I have read, this is mostly an issue for serious off-roaders (read: Syncro), and one or two SVX powered vans.

     

    I own and have converted two vans ( a Syncro and a 2wd Carat) using the SC mount, and I really like it. The only downside is installing a shortened oil pan. Someone needs to come up with a shortened oil pan that projects forward (for more capacity) for use with the SC mount. Some folks just shorten the pan and then "over service" the oil level. So far, I haven't done either, but I don't off-road.

    Other than that nit, I think the SC mount is a sanitary unit.

     

    Cheers,

    Dave

     

    One other question I'm trying to find an answer for regarding the SC mount is primarily of interest to those of us residing in cold climates... will the SC mount interfere with the installation of an engine block heater? I've had a couple of people tell me it's doable, and a couple of others have said, no way it will fit...? :confused:

    Another new conversion project...

    in Vanagon Conversion Discussion

    Posted

    I havent seen both side by side but I really like the Kennedy parts, they are really nicely made. I have heard bad things about the Small car engine crossmember but otherwise the rest all seems to be equal.

     

    Funny you should say that, but the Small Car mount is the main reason I'm leaning towards buying from them. Their design supports the engine the same way VW did it, and it provides a support for the exhaust system.

     

    The only rap I've heard against the Small Car mount is that some syncro owners have had their KEP adapter bolts break, but I think that's due largely to the design of the KEP adapter plate kit - undersized bolts and a loose fit that allows it to move too much.

    My conversion on the web

    in Vanagon Conversion Discussion

    Posted

    I found the free Yahoo Groups format very limiting but the folks on the SubaruVanagon group an awesome resources. I just found this site a week ago and it is already a favorite. I hope more of the SubaruVanagon folks will migrate over.

     

    I also really like The Samba (www.thesamba.com). Subaru Vanagon folks have the feet in both camps.

     

    Here is a link to the engine I just picked up for my '84 Vanagon Westy:

     

    http://www.main.experiencetherave.c...s/newej22_1.jpg

    http://www.main.experiencetherave.c...s/newej22_2.jpg

    http://www.main.experiencetherave.c...s/newej22_3.jpg

    http://www.main.experiencetherave.c...s/newej22_4.jpg

     

    /r

    Mike

     

    It looks so clean! My Subie engine was an oily pig when I brought it home... :o

     

    http://www.imageswest.ca/subie1.jpg

    Another new conversion project...

    in Vanagon Conversion Discussion

    Posted

    I joined shortly before all the nonsense at the Yahoo forum started, but now I'm glad there's a more sensible alternative - this site!

     

    I'm putting a 1991 EJ22 in a 1988 Vanagon Westfalia. The engine is starting to go back together as the parts slowly arrive, and the wiring harness is also nearing completion. I'm still trying to decide between KEP and Small Car Performance for the conversion kit pieces, but I'm not really in any rush - just doing bits and pieces as the budget allows.

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