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mid engine subaru question
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Vito85
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 10:00 am    Post subject: mid engine subaru question Reply with quote

hi everyone

I have a type 1 irs 1970 vw bug with a Kelmark body

I really want a subaru engine..... then I saw... a porsche spyder 550

I saw that they are mid engine and some already with a subaru engine

I really really would like to make that set up in my car

turn around the transmission, get a 6 cyl subaru, KEP plate, stinger ECU
and.....
well...


my question...... does anyone has experience doing that kind of set up ?

do they sell the set up ? cables ? shifter ? of how do you make them ??

Sincerely

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GS guy
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vito,
Your chassi has no room for a mid-engine layout. To accommodate the mid-engine, you would basically have to "back-half" your chassis. In other words, cut it if off somewhere behind the front seat area and build custom to suit. Are you prepared to do that?
There is no "kit" for this, although if you were willing to replace your whole chassis there are builders that can create a custom chassis to fit your body. Just takes $$$$!
There are a couple of small market vendors who do make parts to do mid-engine Subaru conversions - engine and trans parts only. This is primarily for the 914 conversion market. Shifter set-ups, 2WD trans conversion bits, and engine mounts are available.

Alternately, you can keep your chassis and the rear engine layout and adapt both the Subaru engine and trans. Parts are readily available for this with minimal chassis mods. Not inexpensive either, but much easier to accomplish.
If there's money, there's a way.
Jeff
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bim55
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That GS Guy knows what he is talking about, he'a been studying this for years!
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Subarugears
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 9:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are prepared to keep the rear engine setup, the Subaru engine and 5 speed transmission fit into the back of a beetle chassis very nicely.

We also supply bolt-in engine and transmission mounts to make the process that much easier.

Have had quite a few customers put this driveline into Kelmark/Nova/Eureka style cars - there is a lot of room back there.

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woodoctr
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 7:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, I'd agree with everything said so far.... I've been building/rebuilding kit cars for over 40 years now for myself. On kits like Kelmarks, Sterlings, Sebrings, Invaders, etc. I think you are better off just biting the bullet and going with a complete custom frame for a mid application and at at that you would still have some hacking up of the body for fitment. Sterling over in Pennsylvania does offer custom tube frames built just for that and could also modify their design so minimal cutting of the body would be needed. By the time you do all of that you are going to have wayyyyy.... more money in the car than you could get back.
Are you opposed to just doing the configuration that you have (rear engine) for any particular reason? I've owned and driven both rear and mid engine kit cars and honestly, I like both for different reasons. I mean, it's kind of like this.... Porsche sells the Boxster/Cayman and the traditional 911. Is one design super better than the other???? Uhhh, not so much. I had a near 300 h.p. mid engine lightweight Fiero based kit car (3800 S.C. II) and now my 300+ h.p. rear engine rotary VW based Sebring. Loved em' both, fast, tossable, but just different..... You're going to spend a lot less bucks in end if you just stay configured the way you are.
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Vito85
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2014 11:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

well....

I was told my engine will not last too much longer....

I will like to put a subaru engine so I can have A/C

so.....

I saw a couple of websites

bottom line....... I really thought will be easy to buy a complete front clip from a subaru ( ebay $4k) complete engine, transmission, ac, radiator, brakes,.... all the complete front of the car (subaru)

if..... if I may be able to weld a crate and attached/weld to the vw chassis

I think will made a super nice mid engine subaru car
using the complete subaru front,

I hope make sense to you guys



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also, if you see the picture, I think that is how lock the wheels to turn

right ????
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Vito85
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2014 12:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

made something like these

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BL3Manx
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2014 1:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think you can find many more and less expensive front wheel drive engine/transaxles/ etc., than Subaru, also they are more compact and ideal for a mid-engine build. Here is a great one that started strong but I don't know if it was finished

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=440534&highlight=midengine+front+wheel
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dan macmillan
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 7:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I disagree with everyone saying it cannot be done using the stock VW chassis. The key is to use a 2.2L 4 cyl subaru and make a new oil pan. To simplify things and reduce cost use a subaru automatic transmission. Here is my conversion to my Bradley GT2. All done with the body in place.
http://bradleygt.com/thread/1051/gt2-mid-engine-subaru-conversion
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Alignment specialist
66 Modified Manx,68 Kyote,74 Thing,74 Beetle, 76 Transporter,75 self made Double Cab,65 Meyers Manx,78Westy,68 Ghia, 79 Bradley GT2
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didget69
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any underside photos showing the clearance between bottom of engine & top of VW chassis spine & torsion tubes?

bnc
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dan macmillan
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 9:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No photos of the completed install but there is approx 3/4" clearance. If you followed my link you will see that I reshaped the top of the torsion tube area between the trans frame horns and redesigned the oil pan. The engine /trans is supported in 5 places and does not make contact with any other part of the chassis.
This photo is during the trial fitting and cutting out the required clearance.
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Once everything fit I replaced the missing steel from the inner torsion /trailing arm mounts.
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Licensed Automotive Service Technician
Licensed Truck and Coach Technician
Licensed Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
CFC/HCFC/HFC A/C handling and installation license
Alignment specialist
66 Modified Manx,68 Kyote,74 Thing,74 Beetle, 76 Transporter,75 self made Double Cab,65 Meyers Manx,78Westy,68 Ghia, 79 Bradley GT2
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Built for others:69 Manx Clone
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