Author |
Message |
kennybench Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2007 Posts: 19
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject: All About my Raby Suby--74 Westy to Jake |
|
|
1974 Westy on the way to Jake for Subaru engine and transmission transplants. More to follow……
By angelobenito at 2012-02-23
Link
Last edited by kennybench on Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:40 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
levi20AE Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2005 Posts: 485 Location: Las Vegas, NV
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
dwdelano Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 33 Location: Southeast Virginia
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wow, nice looking bus Kenny! I'm about to order all the CS stuff from Jake for my '73, but I'm really curious about the Subaru conversion! What kind of timeline did he give you? i.e. when do you expect it back? Keep us posted please on this. _________________ '73 Pop Top Camper
'72 Super Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jake Raby Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2003 Posts: 7433 Location: Aircooled Heaven USA
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
dwdelano wrote: |
Wow, nice looking bus Kenny! I'm about to order all the CS stuff from Jake for my '73, but I'm really curious about the Subaru conversion! What kind of timeline did he give you? i.e. when do you expect it back? Keep us posted please on this. |
Ken will receive his Bus back in the summer... His transaxle is ready to leave Australia now and the engine is about 3 weeks from assembly. _________________ Jake Raby
Raby Engine Development
www.rabyenginedevelopment.com
"I've never given anyone Hell, I just told them the truth and they thought it was Hell" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
hansie Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2007 Posts: 476 Location: Beach Lake, PA
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Jake - what is the cost of a Subaru conversion and can it be done on an automatic ? _________________ Karl Bower |
|
Back to top |
|
|
rustybutterknife Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2003 Posts: 488 Location: Georgetown, IN
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It'll definitely need a new clutch kit after climbing that trailer. _________________ What, they don't sell purple locktite? Just mix the red and the blue together. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jake Raby Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2003 Posts: 7433 Location: Aircooled Heaven USA
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
hansie wrote: |
Jake - what is the cost of a Subaru conversion and can it be done on an automatic ? |
It could be done to an auto Bus.
What Ken is going with is our full meal deal to include Suby tranny with reversed ring and pinion.. We aren't just slapping a use engine in the Bus like others, we have completely torn down, reconstructed and reconfigured the engine for the heavy bus application.
It is far from cheap. _________________ Jake Raby
Raby Engine Development
www.rabyenginedevelopment.com
"I've never given anyone Hell, I just told them the truth and they thought it was Hell" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
airkooledchris Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005 Posts: 2713
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
yea, going whole hog on that custom of a project....
im guessing you could buy a base model 2012 Subaru Impreza with zero miles for roughly the same amount of coin ($18k)
but before everyone get's their panties in a bunch (who could afford such crazyness?) remember that it's important to the overall market that the balls to the walls builders do their thing, because while most will not be doing the same, the knowledge learned from them does trickle down to all levels of builders and scopes of projects.
the future of all old cars staying on the road is advances in technology, for those of us who hope to continue restoring and driving our vintage vehicles for the rest of our lives.
to the OP - congrats on the project. I can't wait to see how it progresses! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
rockerarm Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2009 Posts: 3552 Location: Los Angeles
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks chris for those words. It is so true. It's not just the VW crowd following that avenue. Look at the domestic crowd installing LS gm engines and supporting systems into old cars.
Look forward to the completion with envy. Semper Fi, Jake.
Bill |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jake Raby Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2003 Posts: 7433 Location: Aircooled Heaven USA
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
airkooledchris wrote: |
yea, going whole hog on that custom of a project....
im guessing you could buy a base model 2012 Subaru Impreza with zero miles for roughly the same amount of coin ($18k)
but before everyone get's their panties in a bunch (who could afford such crazyness?) remember that it's important to the overall market that the balls to the walls builders do their thing, because while most will not be doing the same, the knowledge learned from them does trickle down to all levels of builders and scopes of projects.
the future of all old cars staying on the road is advances in technology, for those of us who hope to continue restoring and driving our vintage vehicles for the rest of our lives.
to the OP - congrats on the project. I can't wait to see how it progresses! |
Our goal is to create a standardized package t support bolt in Suby engines and sub-systems to support them.
Just like I have done with the aircooled engine, it will take years of application before we are able to offer an application specific package thats painless to install for the DIY'r.
We are not using the Suby platform because it is cheaper than the properly configured and applied aircooled engine, we are doing it because the engine has a brighter future over the next couple of decades when compared to the aircooled engine.
Our air-cooled engine division is continuing to march forward with development and engine manufacturing, the Suby division doesn't even share the same work areas here. It is possible to develop and create Porsche engines spanning from 1950-2011, ACVW engines based on the Type 4 platform and Suby engines all on the same piece of property; thats why we have 3 separate buildings and one of them is two stories high _________________ Jake Raby
Raby Engine Development
www.rabyenginedevelopment.com
"I've never given anyone Hell, I just told them the truth and they thought it was Hell" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Inane Cathode Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2009 Posts: 556 Location: Westminster, CO
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'd be curious with what model year(s) subaru's you are using engines from (or bought crate, whatever). Are you doing all the electrical stuff in house? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jake Raby Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2003 Posts: 7433 Location: Aircooled Heaven USA
|
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
Inane Cathode wrote: |
I'd be curious with what model year(s) subaru's you are using engines from (or bought crate, whatever). |
I'll explain using Ken's engine...
I sourced a 2007 model year engine complete with DBW throttle, ECU, wire harness and all other ancillaries. The engine had 24,000 miles since new and was a SOHC EJ 25. I chose the SOHC engine because it fits the goals I have for camshaft optimization for the Bus application better than the DOHC and the engines make more torque than the DOHC by design. The intake ports are a tad smaller, making for a high speed charge.
BUT we aren't stopping there.. The engine is being completely reconstructed with our own components from the ground up. The fact that it had 24K miles simply makes it a better foundation to start with, I never plan on just slapping used engines in these conversion applications, because everything we build is intended to have its own personality and character that we develop it to have.
We have altered the CR, altered camshaft profiles, altered cylinder head port profiles and etc to compliment the engine in a heavy application, not a lightweight touring car like the factory Suby. The power band has been moved LOWER to help increase drivability.
Basically what Ken has purchased is a modern, 4 valve, water-cooled version of my iconic "Camper Special" and has coupled that to a specially geared Subaru transaxle with reversed ring and pinion.
I have created our own "crate engine".
So, from the main bearings out the engine will be manipulated in some way.
Quote: |
Are you doing all the electrical stuff in house? |
We are doing EVERYTHING in house with the exception of the cylinder head work and the Subarugears transaxle. The only way that we are able to maintain our quality is for everything to be carried out at our facility sitting atop a mountain in the middle of no where.
I have been fully documenting the entire build thus far and other than a few select pics I plan on sharing everything possible on our forums and I'll post some here as well. Our Subaru website is ready to go live as soon as I decide to do so, but we are so busy now that we can't stand any more work so its a waste to release it when things are this wound up.
Here are a few pics so far.
Here the engine is the way that it arrived from my source with 24K miles and 100% complete
Here is the exhaust system design. We will use smaller ID primaries (these are 1-7/8") for the bus version and will have to move two pipes to optimize it for Ken's Bus. We will build Ken's exhaust in Ken's bus and use it as the TII developmental platform for the system.
Here it is pictured as a mock up for my 300HP N/A engine- JR28.
Welcome to the Dark Side....
_________________ Jake Raby
Raby Engine Development
www.rabyenginedevelopment.com
"I've never given anyone Hell, I just told them the truth and they thought it was Hell" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jake Raby Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2003 Posts: 7433 Location: Aircooled Heaven USA
|
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ken's Westy showed up today... Its a great bus but WOW the engine is tired!!
I'll post some video and pics in a few days.. The old drivetrain comes out next week and then things get interesting inside the heart of the "JR25" _________________ Jake Raby
Raby Engine Development
www.rabyenginedevelopment.com
"I've never given anyone Hell, I just told them the truth and they thought it was Hell" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchboy Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22463 Location: Escondido CA
|
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
So is this conversion going to be worth more than the actual bus? Sounds like it will be real cool especialy if I had that kind of money (that Im sure it will cost) to throw around. _________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
|
Back to top |
|
|
JSMskater Samba Grease Gorilla
Joined: February 01, 2006 Posts: 5362 Location: Murrieta California
|
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 11:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
notchboy wrote: |
So is this conversion going to be worth more than the actual bus? Sounds like it will be real cool especialy if I had that kind of money (that Im sure it will cost) to throw around. |
come ride in mine when its done. I'll be doing it on the cheap(er) _________________ 71 Squareback-FI -- 73 Bay (subaru powered)
TOOB Member #3
I make D-jet FI connectors |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
|
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
keep us posted with pictures! _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
Back to top |
|
|
curtis4085 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2011 Posts: 4806 Location: Colorado
|
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
JSMskater wrote: |
notchboy wrote: |
So is this conversion going to be worth more than the actual bus? Sounds like it will be real cool especialy if I had that kind of money (that Im sure it will cost) to throw around. |
come ride in mine when its done. I'll be doing it on the cheap(er) |
Keep us updated on your build. Always good to show that these projects can be done without mortgaging the house. Some people think because they spend more to by a designer pair of jeans they are getting the best quality. Most times your just buying a name. And if that vendor has protection in place from you being able to read the fine print you may just get stuck with pants made in a sweat factory and of no better quality than you would get at Walmart. _________________ Special Thanks to:
Headflow Masters - Vista, CA
www.headflowmasters.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zelten Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2008 Posts: 1335 Location: Issaquah
|
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
What happens to the Type 4 engine when it's pulled? _________________ 1978 Delux Campmobile
03 Jetta TDI
15 Q7 TDI |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mr. Unpopular Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3715 Location: Tampa Florida
|
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
curtis4085 wrote: |
Keep us updated on your build. Always good to show that these projects can be done without mortgaging the house. Some people think because they spend more to by a designer pair of jeans they are getting the best quality. Most times your just buying a name. And if that vendor has protection in place from you being able to read the fine print you may just get stuck with pants made in a sweat factory and of no better quality than you would get at Walmart. |
Exactly. I have less than $3k in my Ecotec swap, and so far it's going great. No it's not a show winning conversion, but I do work to a level that I feel proud to say that "yes, I built this". It's not hacked together by any means. _________________ "In any racing engine, the nearer you are to it disintegrating, the better it's performance will be"
-Keith Duckworth, creator of the Ford/Cosworth DFV |
|
Back to top |
|
|
bugger101 Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2010 Posts: 1559 Location: orlando
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|