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Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:38 pm

Have a 1988 westy I would like to put a new engine in. What's the thoughts these days..A 2.5 subie or a Zetec

Cheers
Al

Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:47 pm

Unfortunately no one has ever put a different engine in a vanagon.
If they had, you'd be able to run a search on this very site and get tons of information I'll bet. :roll:

Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:06 pm

My $0.02: go with the ford if you want the reliability of a modern engine, go with the subie if you want the reliability of a modern engine and more power. the ej22 is also a good choice.

Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:32 pm

With a stock output of 165hp, 166 lb/ft of torque and a physical layout that is a perfect fit for the Vanagon, the Subaru EJ25 is an ideal conversion choice.

D

Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:49 am

Not to be rude but search! Look at the sticky, many engine option threads in here.

The short answer is. Both. It all depend if you do it yourself or not.

If I was a "normal" customer and "lightly" mechanically inclined I would go with the Bostig. Easy to install - cheap engine.

If you have the Bostig installed by a mechanic, well, it will cost you more.

As for Subi, there is no easy kit out there. Small car doesn't have a full complete kit but a starter kit.

If you have a lot of money to spend you can call a guy like me :-)

Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:33 am

Al Gilliland wrote: Have a 1988 westy I would like to put a new engine in. What's the thoughts these days..A 2.5 subie or a Zetec

Cheers
Al

Since you are in Canada, call Ben for a 2.5 or have him install the Bostig.
He has the entire van covered as he has done a few conversions and restorations :wink:

Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:41 am

subaru

Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:52 am

I went with Bostig because of the amateur DIY completeness.
Fits real nice
Takes up less room then a Subaru, not that it matters, but I saw a few people say that the Subaru motor fits better.
I love Ford, and its inherent reliability.
Used low mileage engines can be had for 300 bucks all day every day.

I would have looked at Subaru harder if there was a complete kit.
Rocky mountain westy comes very, very close.

http://www.rockymountainwesty.com/Subaru_Vanagon_4_cyl_Conversion_Kit_p/rmw-skit4.htm

Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:01 am

Hi everyone

Many thanks for the feedback and not so much to the sarcastic posts..I'm leaning towards the zebec and feel that is still the route for a backyard mechanic. Sounds like they have a great warranty also.

Happy cruising

Cheers
Al

Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:32 am

insyncro wrote: Al Gilliland wrote: Have a 1988 westy I would like to put a new engine in. What's the thoughts these days..A 2.5 subie or a Zetec

Cheers
Al

Since you are in Canada, call Ben for a 2.5 or have him install the Bostig.

Hey Dylan, Canada's a *REALLY* big place. Calgary's not close to Montreal...

Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:33 am

.I'm leaning towards the zebec :bay_blue: I hear the ones with the black and white stripes are faster! :lol: Anyway the Ford is the way to go, if your are on a budget or not a great mechanic.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:46 am

joseph928 wrote: snip Ford is the way to go, if your are on a budget snip.

My DIY Bostig final cost was equal to a Subaru conversion done by a professional.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:26 am

ftp2leta wrote: As for Subi, there is no easy kit out there. Small car doesn't have a full complete kit but a starter kit.
http://www.vanaru.com ????

BUT, it depends, of course. Now mind you, that this, like just about every other of the many (hundreds?) of engine threads will lead to one result. Everybody has an opinion, choose one.

I choose what I choose based on my requirements. You should figure out what your requirements are and go from there.

Good Luck!

Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:46 am

Okay, I'll bite, and wait for all the "use the search" comments as well :? I've used the "search" before, and I know there's tons of info on the topic available on a multitude of different threads, but having it condensed here would be really nice!

Question: I see that the Bostig turnkey, when available, is just under $8000. The Vanaru turnkey is just over $9000.

Assuming I can assemble a team of friends and family who are knowledgeable enough to do the transformation (I know my own limits, but I think I can tap local talent) am I getting pretty much the same level of completeness, just a different engine, in these two packages?

Thanks!

Kathy

Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:13 pm

Wow...tough crowd today! :roll:
Zetec is good, but shipping from Boston might hurt.
Vince from Basco in Edmonton does excellent Subaru conversions...just ask him! :lol:
Not sure about Calgary.
Good luck!

Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:19 pm

Jake de Villiers wrote: insyncro wrote: Al Gilliland wrote: Have a 1988 westy I would like to put a new engine in. What's the thoughts these days..A 2.5 subie or a Zetec

Cheers
Al

Since you are in Canada, call Ben for a 2.5 or have him install the Bostig.

Hey Dylan, Canada's a *REALLY* big place. Calgary's not close to Montreal...

Exchange rate and shipping make dealing with any Canadian shop a better value.

Ben pulls from further than Calgary.
He does good work and knows his way around a Vanagon.
Well worth it to have a pro with exerience do it.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:22 pm

or just buy a converted van......

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1297141

Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:45 pm

insyncro wrote: or just buy a converted van......

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1297141
Buying some one else's converted van is just that - some one else's.

Generally speaking nobody sells a perfectly good vehicle.

So you can or may suppose that if someone is selling a conversion it may not be up to your standards.

Just like buying a used stock van, you need to get it checked out.

Trick with buying a converted van is to find someone who actually can evaluate your proposed purchase.

That is a tough spot to be in....

Suby vs Zetec is REALLY a tough one, too. I urge others to read real close about the different experiences people have with them.

FYI: Many many people with limited skills HAVE successfully installed both.

You must choose wisely, Grasshopper.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:36 pm

I have done prepurchase exams for buyers.
The sellers didn't like me very much.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:15 pm

I gave it a lot of thought. I'm having an EJ25 installed this month. Also, having it installed by a Pro was not a whole lot more than DIY. I'm no mechanic, so I'm going with a Pro. As for not using the search option..sometimes it's best to start a new thread. Also, things are constantly improving/changing so why rely on old info. That, and new threads keep the Forum alive and interesting. Good luck, and enjoy!