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Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:05 am

anyone knwo who would do a subby conversion int he tri state area...
penn, ohio , ny

im in pittsburgh

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:28 am

Vanauru is in Pennsilvania i believe

Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:04 am

Vanaru.com

Hans has its garage in Northen PA where he does conversions. I think he only does conversions.

He works with Ben as well (who is in Montreal), providing some of it parts and solutions.
You can see some of their work here:
http://www.benplace.com/bjp3.htm

Great fellow, and knowledgeable too. He did mine.

JP

Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:56 pm

crughy,
how long have ago did vanaru do you conversion? from your profile it looks like you have driven all over the place. i was checking out there site and i was wondering how conversion is working out for you..

i live in pittsburgh and it would be nice to drop off my camper and pick it up and not have do anything... even thou that route is more expensive..

Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:59 pm

conrad1468 wrote: crughy,
how long have ago did vanaru do you conversion? from your profile it looks like you have driven all over the place. i was checking out there site and i was wondering how conversion is working out for you..

i live in pittsburgh and it would be nice to drop off my camper and pick it up and not have do anything... even thou that route is more expensive..

JP (CRUGY), you have my permission to tell the true story about your engine/conversion:-) This will reinforced what i just wrote on the "Vanaru thread"

Ben

Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:27 pm

Sure Ben, but not to mix people up: I got 2 engines/2 conversions made.

The first we did Hans and I, like 4 or 5 years ago, well before Hans started his business. It was its first conversion, which we transferred from his syncro to my van. (my heads started to leak and I did not want to invest into the leaker, although a low mileage engine, 80k.).

Funny thing is Ben advised me against conversions (any conversion) at the time! Fixing old rusty engines proved him wrong.

Hans did it almost for "free"at the time, he wanted to experiment. The engine had unknown history. And did not cost a thing to Hans (he even made money selling the original car back).

Long story short. That engine developed something after 2 years. I can't tell exactly (Ben?). Like some knocking. And it also developed an oil leak at the main o-ring (main pinion), when I un-stored it. (it is stored every winter, 5 months, which some how hurts many parts, gasket and such may dry out. My feeling).

As it had to be taken out. I then decided to invest properly and have Hans install a newer engine at Ben's, and also have/finish off a clean conversion, (by today's standard, less experimental than 4 (5?) years ago). All clean an everything. (the way we did it the first time was ok, but far from clean).

I am really happy with the conversion. Really reliable. Nothing is 100% reliable. But I trust it enough to cross the country back and forth (I have done it only once). I think the main advantage is that if something goes wrong, like it can for any modern car or engine. I am not stuck with an old and unknown technology. And I don't depend on unknowelgeable mechanics. let's face it: true specialists are rare. Also our vans up there are rusty, and once you start working on them, it gets really expensive fast and more complicated too. It's nice to start with something fresh.
I would hate to have an engine rebuilt in the middle of nowhere. Time and $$$. There are good rebuilders but depending on where you get stranded, you may not always have access to the right guys.
I heard enough horror stories...

It was going to be converted to a good trustworthy engine anyway from the day I bought it. I could not afford a diesel, I went my second choice: subie.
There are many other good alternatives, I went for what I thought was best bang for $.

My new conversion is 2 year old. Very happy with it. It's all clean.
I love the extra power, esp. for comfort and safety. Driving is less tiresome. Peace of mind etc.

JP

Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:28 pm

Save yourself some $$$ - take advantage of the American / Canadian dollar difference and get your conversion done by Ben in Montreal.
JC

Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:30 pm

Hans and Ben work together. Hans "pioneered" the conversion (after Small Car, Kennedy etc.)

He created a complete "turn key" kit with John Svyolo? (name?).

He solved and improved many little things to have a true nice complete kit.

Ben had his own garage and thought the subie conv. and the Vanaru kit was the best one to offer to his clients in Quebec. So they worked a lot together, Hans showed Ben a lot on the installation.

For a while, Hans prepared the conversions for Ben. But I think now Ben does more, including sourcing and preparing the engine. Hans prepares the rest of the kit, I think. Not even sure now. I think both do research for the newer engines (electronic).

One or the other, it is quite the same product. Ben is a kind of franchise of Hans's Vanaru.

The 2 are passionate and competent. One or the other, you don't go wrong. They don't compete really, as I don't think they lack clients.

JP

Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:16 pm

I don't have much to add, but I've dealt with Vanaru several times over the last year.
I've found Hans to be extremely helpful and customer-oriented, on the phone or via email. He listens and makes helpful suggestions.
I've bought his shortened oil pan and his cooling system. The workmanship is excellent, and the cooling system works so well in heat & cold that I wonder why there's still any debate over cooling system design.

Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:37 am

I bought a van that had a Subaru EJ22 prepared, but not installed, by Hans. I phoned him numerous times for information. Even though I wasn't buying anything, he was incredibly helpful, polite and patient.

If I ever need anything conversion related I will definitely call Hans first.

He's a real gentleman.