Low cost Suby swap $2275 (or so)

ftp2leta · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:38 pm Post subject:

I applaud you! Seriously! More should take your example, Subi or not.
Same goes for doing your own mechanic on stock engine.

Lately, I'm pushing a guy to do his own bodywork, I said it can't be worse then now.

A lot of people are afraid of the unknown! I don't get why.

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

Sir Sam · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:38 pm Post subject:

I forgot to mention the PCV valve. That's another item that is good to replace when the engine is out. It's under the intake but it should be possible to replace it with the engine out of the vehicle without pulling the intake. At least that's what I read online.
_________________
'91 Carat Westy

87' Syncro + '87 Westy conversion coming soon

wasserbox · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:06 pm Post subject:

Hammy1 · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:52 pm Post subject:

kalispell365 · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:12 pm Post subject:

wasserbox · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:00 pm Post subject:

tschroeder0 · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:11 pm Post subject:

well, seems to me hes got about 4 grand minimum to play with before he gets to the " low" amount on most swaps...mine was about 7k.
nice work!

vanonimous · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:48 pm Post subject:

Just for fun here is my expenses tallied up. It's a little more than what I originally thought it would be. I gave this conversion as a low cost challenge to myself, transmission and clutch are stock. I weld and wrench, have tools and hardware at home. I love wiring and tuning. This summary is essential for peaceful and diplomatic marital relations. Cool

I still have few parts to sell which will bring final number further down but I also still have to connect cruise control and AC.
This doesn’t reflect other previous upgrades like brakes, suspension, lighting etc
Funny things happen after taking a Subaru apart I want one.
I haven’t tracked time but it went way faster then I anticipated.

Expense:

Hobert Kennedy:

Airduct $50
Crossmember $140
Heatshield (not used) $18
Header $300
Power Steering hose $99
Shipping $112
Adapter kit $540
Subtotal: $1259.00

Small Car Performance:

Throttle cable $55
5qt oil pan $349
Hose kit $189
Interface $65
Harness mod kit $135
Coolant reservoir bracket $35
Speedo sensor kit $55
White gauge set $50
Subotal: $933.00

Ebay:

Belt, tensioner, idlers, seals, MSL gaskets, pump kit $150
OBD2 3” stainless cat $60
Stainless muffler 3” $60
6” diesel stack clamp $15
Various clamps and gaskets $20
Air filter $15
Air duct and 3” adapter $35
3” 90 degree Stainless exhaust tip $30
New generic O2 sensors 2x $45
New SOHC timing cover and bolts $100
Oil, filter, coolant $50
Subtotal: $580.00

Machining:

Heads Barter
0

Craigslist:

Subaru Forester 1999 crashed 120k $600
$600

Income for cost offset, sold good used parts:

1999 Subaru Forester leftover $400
Original waterboxer $350
Idle control unit $50
Digifant harness $75
MAF $50
TB $35
Digifant ECU $110
Total income: $1070.00

Total expense: $3372.00
Total income: $1070.00
Total cost: $2302.00
_________________
If happiness is being a mechanic, owning a Vanagon is nirvana.

Lighting upgrades: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=578291

Jake de Villiers · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 8:08 am Post subject:

Interesting. Did you not replace the water pump while you were there?
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com

wasserbox · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 8:25 am Post subject:

ftp2leta · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 6:39 pm Post subject:

This thread make me laugh big time, you guys are full of it...

A single invoice at SC is over 2300, no engine, no work.

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

syncrodoka · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 7:26 pm Post subject:

A lot of what SC sells isn't required to do a conversion. There are several parts that they offer that I wouldn't buy at all. Read the itemized parts others have bought to see why they didn't spend that much.
I made money buying donors and selling off bits from them then selling off the scrap. Lots of different ways to cut cost that a installer doesn't have time for. It really isn't that difficult.

insyncro · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:09 am Post subject:

Sure with older and getting to be out of date engines, costs can be cut, but not with 2006 and later....as both Benny and I have built.
2002-2004, maybe.
A Subaru engine on its second or third rebuild does not even come close to running as smoothly as a freshly pulled engine with less than 40k miles on it and a decade newer.

Same goes for a Bostig with a new crate motor vs a junkyard engine from a rental car with 100k of daily loving Wink

insyncro · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:13 am Post subject:

Cherry picking parts from multiple vendors is definitely the way to go.
Why one of them or the big two haven't teamed up to make the "ultimate" conversion, with warrantied parts and that actual work with other vendors products is a head scratcher.
Instead, "kits" are available that are incomplete, will not work with other providers parts and leave you with parts left over.
Again, a lot of head scratching.

ftp2leta · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 5:11 am Post subject:

Of course anyone with mechanical, engineering AND BUILDING skill can make anything happen for less $$$. But using a 200,000 miles 94 2.2 is not a reliable conversion. A late very low mile engine ca cost me over 3k$ without harness.
No conversion part and no labor.

I would drive any of my 95th done (yep since yesterday...) conversion done down to Mexico and back and would not worry a second about any engine trouble.

If I was a DIY I would invest a bit more a do a reliable one with a newer engine.

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

insyncro · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 5:38 am Post subject:

I personally would enjoy a Vanistan rebuild over a high mileage 2.2 Subaru conversion any day of the week Exclamation

Cali residents are the ones who really are keeping the 2.2 Subaru conversions alive.
What a choice...2.2 Sub or a 1.8T...what a price difference Rolling Eyes

tschroeder0 · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 7:57 am Post subject:

cmon guys,
now you're making it sound like an older suby is a unreliable junker?? When just a couple of years ago, they were the most bomber engine you could imagine?..
I re ringed/put head gaskets in my 99' suby 2.2 ( with bens help, thank,you Ben!) for about 400$ and some time and patients, it runs perfectly smooth and I have logged at least 10k since my swap.
An older suby is a fantastic engine for people to get their hand dirty on.

ftp2leta · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:23 am Post subject:

syncrodoka · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:28 am Post subject:

Late model donors with low mileage can be bought, parted out and sold for scrap also. Rolling Eyes

SC isn't the only or best shop in the game and there is no need to buy all parts from them to get a reliable conversion.
It really isn't that difficult.


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Low cost Suby swap $2275 (or so)
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