Need to replace my Engine and Tranny, Considering Subaru

[bitmouse]

My mechanic quoted me at around $7000 to put in a rebuilt standard vanagon wasserboxer and rebuilt tranny.

My hope is to do it for less or around that much and either do a Subaru swap or with one of the modded engines from gowesty.

I am open to other ideas that would give the car more power.

I am not a mechanic though, and don't want to do the work myself.

So basically I am looking for help on ideas, and where to get parts/engine etc to be able to do this for within a price I can afford.

Thanks for your time and help.

[Alaric.H]

That quote sounds a little high.

[fredn]

Search. This has been done to death.
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1982 Air Cooled Vanagon Carat Weekender Interior

[insyncro]

[Mark]

[jimeg]

http://bostig.com/
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1986 Root Beer Syncro Tin Top....so many plans.

Here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=578490

[PDXWesty]

That's not completely out of line. A quality engine rebuild can be $3k-3.5k and a manual tranny is $1500. That's already $5k in parts. $2k for labor and warranty and you're there. You could probably get it down to $6k is you really shopped it around, but you're going to be in that neighborhood. A conversion total cost will definitely be more if you're not doing any labor yourself.

If it were me, I would get a 2.2 from GoWesty and find a mechanic to install it. I think it's a proven engine and good bang for your buck. So what's wrong with the transmission?
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[bitmouse]

Thanks for the speedy replies.

Tranny is popping out of gears, and sticks in odd ways when trying to switch.

Mechanic said that it was most likely shot, but not entirely sure. I was working with Larry Blazer in Denver, who came highly recommended and seemed like a trustworthy guy. I am sure he would do great work. But I don't know if I can afford that much, and would much rather get more power out of the engine if I am going to put that much in.

I am definitly considering one of the lower end gowesty engines.

I just want to be able to make it over heavy hills at the speed limit. I don't need to race or anything. I also want my money to go a good 100k miles or so.

[dobryan]

If you cannot do the work yourself any engine conversion is going to cost $$$. Here is a Subaru option.

http://www.vanaru.com/index.htm

If you do the work yourself you can get to within your budget but you'll need to be resourceful at scrounging an engine and parts. It can be done.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

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[bosruten]

Sell it and get out while you can!
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'87 Syncro Weekender

[bitmouse]

I do have some friends recommending that I just sell it. Current offers have been around $2000.

Paint faded, body in very good shape for age. a couple smallish cosmetic dents. and many if not all of the original accoutrements. Also I bought it directly from original owner who bought it in germany. Pretty cool actually, it went to Israel back in 1985-1986

[Farfrumwork]

If you can't do the work yourself, then the conversion will cost (more than $7k, with a tranny esp.) I did my subie EJ22 swap for ~$3k, but I did it all myself...

I'd say find a good used 2.1wbx (~$1000) and a good used tranny (~$400) and have that installed. It would get your van back running for "cheap" and then it will be worth more than $2k + the new motor/tranny.
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[bitmouse]

any idea on where to find a good used 2.1 and trany?

[PDXWesty]

Check the classifieds or local VW shops. Where do you live?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1199970

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1189450

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?...ton=Search
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Ahwahnee]

[PDXWesty]

I think he has a 1985 full westy.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1190004
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Wildthings]

A new VW Routan starts at $27,000, so your $7000 repair bill is about one fourth of that and for something that most here consider a more desirable vehicle. I doubt that you will find a quality rebuild a whole lot cheaper and you certain don't want to be paying even close to that kind of money to get half a$$ work.

[Volksaholic]

I don't know if this helps, or even if it's still available (no personal interest here). It's from the SubaruVanagon Yahoo group:

Posting Title: 2.1 WBX
Price: 200 (USD)
Description: Complete 2.1 WBX recently pulled for engine swap. All accessories, exhaust system, ECU included. Located in TX, Running and not leaking when pulled but fouling number 1 spark plug.
Location: TX
Contact: [email protected]
Date: June 14, 2011
Status: Available or Wanted
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1988 Wolfsburg Edition, 2001 Subaru EJ251

[r39o]

Standard trans rebuild (if nothing too expensive is damged ) $1000 at Rancho.

Good used engine $200 - $750????

Do dads and shipping another $1000.

So about $2500

R and R 3 days (very gracious) at $100 is $2400.

So it should be like $5000.

I do NOT know what the parts cost to do a good WBX rebuild these days, though.....

You do the math.....
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

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