Calling all Reversaru EJ25 Swap Owners

[MSGGrunt]

Looking for information from others that have swapped in an EJ25 and kept the Subaru automatic transmission using Reversaru's gear drive conversion.

After doing my research I have decides to use Reversaru's gear drive vs a chain drive to modify the transmission.

My main question that is still an unknown is what motor mount did others use? Do the ones offered for other EJ swap vendors work with the Reversaru's auto transmission or do they need to be modified? I see on Subarugears site they were able to use the original mustache bar with slight modifications. Wondering if this is the same when using Reversaru's conversion?

My Plan:
- New MLS head gaskets and reseal on a one owner impeccably maintained EJ25 with 105,000 miles.

- Use the Subaru 4EAT auto.

- Use Reversaru's push button transmission selector. No sloppy linkage or having to source an OEM shifter or use the Subaru shifter. Added benefit of the push button shift selector is it frees up all the floor space.

- External Transmission oil cooler.

- Van Cafe to modify the main engine harness and transmission harness.

Any other advice is welcomed.

[shagginwagon83]

Jeff Robenolt of Autoventures has been conducting some Reversaru testing. I would recommend reaching out to him via a call or message on Facebook to discuss your project.
_________________
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram: @joannthevan

[MSGGrunt]

I will reach out to him tomorrow. Nice to see that he is a local US supplier of Reversaru's kits. And as an added bonus, free shipping over $200.00. I think he will be my one stop shop for the kit, transmission cooler, push button shifter, wiring harness mod, etc...

[metahacker]

You will love it. I also can second that Jeff is the man. I would get my reverse kit and full harness job from him..... VanCafe stuff is all great, but I would go with Jeff for the wiring.

The 4EAT + EJ25 is a great setup. The 4EAT is a stout little transmission and the overdrive + locking torque converter will make a night and day difference in comparison to a VW 3 speed automatic. Smoother, quieter, better MPG.... and that gearbox is good to 300HP in stock form....

Phil, the guy behind Reversaru, is a great guy and is very customer focused.

Stay away from SubaruGears and that chain drive. It's dangerous. As in, it could kill you if the thing locks up at speed (which can happen). It's a hack, like all the SubaruGears stuff....a ticking time bomb with a guy behind it who will gaslight you. Everyone with SG stuff has problems. Even people who don't think they have problems, have problems ;-) they just don't know it yet.... (sorry if that pisses anyone off)

The Specialised Parts (Canada) version is basically like all their other stuff...essentially a straight knock-off. I believe it's based on a timing chain..... so, if we know the Subarugears 4EAT kit is a mess/ total failure...but it uses an actual real deal HYVO style (drivetrain rated) chain.....and it has those problems...one can imagine whatmight be possible for Specialised's version which is basically a knock off made with a timing chain :) You'll find some sketchballs on social media proclaiming their love for both those kits if you look hard enough..... regardless, big time Caveat Empor on both

anyways, enough about that crap. back to the good stuff.
IMO I think you are the right track going for the Reversaru

The Reversaru push-button shifter is sweet. the guy behind it (Andrew @ AGT Engineering) is pretty brilliant and it makes for a real serious team with him helping Reversaru on that product.

I think you will be really really happy with the setup... automatic buses are the best .. and an EJ25+4EAT can make a Vanagon into a vehicle nice enough that you may not ever want to drive anything else....particularly if you have A/C ;-) (the Subaru OEM Denso 10-piston swash compressors are really great BTW)

And yes, you definitely need to have a proper ATF cooler setup. That is technically a requirement for the Reversaru warranty, too.

Your regular motor mount setup used with any typical swap should work fine. The front (transmission) mount gets replaced with one supplied by Reversaru... I believe it's from a Toyota. It's nice - an OEM quality mount with a suspended/captured bushing, not just some cheap generic urethane mount...it will keep noise/vibration to a minimum, better isolation than stock (whereas the chain drive versions would be much worse in NVH with solid urethane mount)

[shagginwagon83]

Metahacker I believe you've sold me on the 4EAT Revarsaru. Sounds like a thought-out kit!

Jeff was great to work with for my EJ22 wiring harness. Even worked with me to upgrade me to OBD2 from OBD1. This "Subaru OEM Denso 10-piston swash compressor" - do you know the manufacturer name of this? I bought a $420 OEM Subaru compressor for my EJ22 and I believe the manufacturer was Calsonic.
_________________
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram: @joannthevan

[Muskrat]

[MSGGrunt]

I am grateful I did my research and found the Reversaru kit as it seem to be a better design. I ordered some parts for my engine "refresh" from Jeff and got a very quick Email letting me know the parts have shipped.

I also like the detailed description of his wiring harness services. He will definitely be the one modifying my harness.

With anything there are always divided camps, but I feel the Subaru engine is better combined with the Subaru auto transmission than bolting it to the VW manual. I currently have my syncro manual transmission being rebuilt by Matt Steedle. With how much it costs to rebuild a VW transmission I was hesitant to swap in an engine in this van that nearly doubles the VW engines 90 HP. I have other sportier cars that are manuals if I want to bang through the gears. With the VW I am looking forward to pushing a button and just driving.

The harness is out of the Subaru, now I just need to package it up and send it off to Jeff. I will at some point have a conversation with him on what engine cradle he recommends for the swap.

[MSGGrunt]

Items still needed to research and decide who to buy from:

- 2 x LHS Vanagon automatic CV Shafts. I Don't have an automatic already, so these will have to be new or good rebuildable used ones.

- What coolant reservoir to go with? Is the factory plastic one a ticking time bomb? I only ask as I like that it is transparent and you can see the coolant level in an instant.

- Whose reverse coolant manifold to go with. I am leaning towards Van Cafe at the moment.

- Engine cradle? I am looking at the one from Van Cafe and Small Car. Anyone prefer one over the other? Small Car's is less expensive and seems like a simpler design. Or can the original mustache bar be made to work? I see pictures on Jeff's site where it looks like they have used the stock bar.

- Exhaust Options. Bolt on or locally made?

[Franklinstower]

[GoEverywhere]

[MSGGrunt]

Later last night I did see where the small car mount does limit oil pan options. I would not want to run any oil pan that limits oil capacity, that just seems like a bad idea.

[szac]

[MSGGrunt]

I bought Van Cafe's mount. I too am curious how it will mount up, also assuming Reversaru used the stock AT mounting location.

[MSGGrunt]

So the adventure begins.