| Author |
Message |
Tremelune
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2007
Posts: 28
Location: Los Angeles
|
 Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 2:06 pm Post subject: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
 |
|
I've found that a lot of watercooled installs are either on wild rails or they stick out very far in the rear...I've always dug the aesthetics of bajas, so I appreciate the compactness of the stock motor.
I dig the look of the Subaru boxer fours, but I stumbled on this Ecotec install and it looks clean...Is this motor/transmission moved forward at all, or is this the way a 2.2 sits without the radiator and exhaust behind?
http://madgoatcustoms.com/?page_id=45
If anyone has photos of tight swaps, I'm gathering ideas for the future... |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
no1clyde
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2013
Posts: 365
Location: Elko Nv.
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
I don't have any better pics but if you want I can take more.
I have moved the motor in my build so I think it is a little back but not sure how much.
Ed |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dark Earth
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015
Posts: 1054
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
| Tremelune wrote: |
I've found that a lot of watercooled installs are either on wild rails or they stick out very far in the rear...I've always dug the aesthetics of bajas, so I appreciate the compactness of the stock motor.
I dig the look of the Subaru boxer fours, but I stumbled on this Ecotec install and it looks clean...Is this motor/transmission moved forward at all, or is this the way a 2.2 sits without the radiator and exhaust behind?
http://madgoatcustoms.com/?page_id=45
If anyone has photos of tight swaps, I'm gathering ideas for the future... |
That bug is in the "Show off your BAJA!" thread ...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...start=1240
_________________
My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
1fastbigguy
Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2012
Posts: 310
Location: Ojai, CA
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
Here are both... The Baja has a 2.2 ecotec and the Thing has a 2.5 Subi.
_________________
Cheers!
59 Ragtop
61 Ragtop Baja
69 Squareback
@Dustydrone
#Ohibaja
Our Build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545394 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bullnerd
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2011
Posts: 64
Location: NJ
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tremelune
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2007
Posts: 28
Location: Los Angeles
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
Ain't that some shit. Unfortunately, the timing ain't right for me. I'm planning to change coasts in the next month or two, so I just don't have room.
I also think picking up a more modest example would be better for me, as I've never owned an old bug much less a Baja...I'd like to make sure my desire is more than just fantasy before paying top-dollar. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tremelune
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2007
Posts: 28
Location: Los Angeles
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
| I guess another way to phrase this question would be: How have you hidden your radiator? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TexanTwinkies
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2017
Posts: 3
Location: Pawleys Island SC
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
| Hey y'all from SC! While we're on the topic of engines what would be the easiest (and cheapest) one for a 16 year old with a couple friends n tools to instal? Saved up my pennies m dimes for and at long last bought a Baja style VW but engine kinda wimpy it's a 1600 with stock trans. Any recommendations n yes I know Ima probably need a new trans too. Thank y'all! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TexanTwinkies
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2017
Posts: 3
Location: Pawleys Island SC
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:51 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
Sorry not wimpy was just lookin for somethin with a bit more horses on it  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pullstart
Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2016
Posts: 599
Location: Middleville, MI
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 3:42 am Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
| TexanTwinkies wrote: |
| Hey y'all from SC! While we're on the topic of engines what would be the easiest (and cheapest) one for a 16 year old with a couple friends n tools to instal? Saved up my pennies m dimes for and at long last bought a Baja style VW but engine kinda wimpy it's a 1600 with stock trans. Any recommendations n yes I know Ima probably need a new trans too. Thank y'all! |
How long have you been driving off road toys? Not to put you down or judge you being 16, but it might be wise to run the car and learn it's quirks, before you look to triple the power. Speaking from experience, my Subaru swap using a stock 130k mile EJ25 blew my expectations away... and I've been around trucks, circle track cars, quads, motorcycles, etc most my life. I've also had a lot of projects that I scrapped because I got in over my head and didn't plan a realistic budget when I was a teenager.
Cheap and easy is going to be stay air cooled VW. The water cooled swaps are awesome and I'll probably never run air cooled again, but you have a lot of fab work or expenses from other fabricators for radiator mounts, exhaust, engine mounts, probably suspension upgrades, etc. I'm guessing I had $300-500 in hidden expenses (the little stuff that it "just" needs), the donor was $400, a coil pack was $90, the adapter and clutch were in the neighborhood of $800-900, you get the idea of what I'm trying to say...
More importantly, have fun!
_________________
4 seater Appletree buggy, road legal with 002 IRS, 3x3 Appletree kit, 6" over Dan's beam with 10" towers and Fox 2.0 shocks, '00 Subaru EJ25 with KEP stage 3 clutch and KEP adapter plate.
my build page: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662104&start=0 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TexanTwinkies
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2017
Posts: 3
Location: Pawleys Island SC
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:24 am Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
| Yea that sounds good! I'm just lookin for somethin to start Savin up for I'm pretty strapped for cash totally worth it it been a blast on the beach |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bad_chopper
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2012
Posts: 295
Location: Portland, or
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
Radiator isn't really hidden, but it is nestled well in the same cage it had with the aircooled engine. The set up i have does not over heat, hits 212 deg and starts dropping to about 194 deg, and cycles that same way. I have an auxiliary heater in the cab that utilizes the engine coolant, warms the car pretty good.
If i had it to do all over again, i do not think i would do anything different except about a 3 or 4 inch shorter radiator, but then i would have air pocket issues. overall i am happy with the looks. i dont have the typical "baboon but" that most water cooled bajas have.
It is a 1997 subaru 2.2l 145hp, but i think this same set up would work with 2.5 or the 2.0 as well. maybe not the turbo version not sure how the turbo would fit.
_________________
my build page http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=536267 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SamT
Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2009
Posts: 1761
Location: Rule, Tx
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 7:18 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
| 1fastbigguy wrote: |
Here are both... The Baja has a 2.2 ecotec and the Thing has a 2.5 Subi.
|
I'd say those are not clean installs. The green car especially looks highly unnatural. Both are extremely nice rigs, I don't mean to put them down, but the engines hanging 4' out the back look as unnatural as they are.
The orange car looks perfect to me. Very clean install.
_________________
Rides:
300HP 900lb turbo VW rail 18/15 travel
Never ending jeep/rzr hybrid build!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=546712 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dustymojave
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 5802
Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 7:51 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
I DO hope you understand that middle picture of the Green Baja was taken with a wide angle lens...
And that the rear bumpers on both cars were made with the intent to protect the back of the cars from contact? Not just to be cute little wraps... These are not lawn show cars normally. They were built for actual serious off road racing and fun. The Thing has been raced many times and the Baja a few times.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SamT
Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2009
Posts: 1761
Location: Rule, Tx
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 6:08 am Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
| dustymojave wrote: |
I DO hope you understand that middle picture of the Green Baja was taken with a wide angle lens...
And that the rear bumpers on both cars were made with the intent to protect the back of the cars from contact? Not just to be cute little wraps... These are not lawn show cars normally. They were built for actual serious off road racing and fun. The Thing has been raced many times and the Baja a few times. |
They are nice cars. But the OP was asking about tucked in engines that look like they belong. Both those cars have the trans slid back for gentler CV angles and like you said are built for function. A cage like that with lots of room would look rediculous on a stockish Baja.
_________________
Rides:
300HP 900lb turbo VW rail 18/15 travel
Never ending jeep/rzr hybrid build!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=546712 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
WrRider
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2011
Posts: 114
Location: Hemet Ca.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bullnerd
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2011
Posts: 64
Location: NJ
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:14 am Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
| Looks good WR! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pullstart
Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2016
Posts: 599
Location: Middleville, MI
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:16 am Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
It used to be clean...
_________________
4 seater Appletree buggy, road legal with 002 IRS, 3x3 Appletree kit, 6" over Dan's beam with 10" towers and Fox 2.0 shocks, '00 Subaru EJ25 with KEP stage 3 clutch and KEP adapter plate.
my build page: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662104&start=0 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cul-tech
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015
Posts: 49
Location: Colorado
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:20 am Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
WrRider,
That install looks great!
Is that the 2.2 or 2.4?
_________________
I'm just trying to recreate my RC buggy's as a kid to a real life buggy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
anobii
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2015
Posts: 59
Location: Franklin Co VA
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2017 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: Clean Subaru/Ecotec installs? |
|
|
Subaru EJ22. Cost about $1200 and a boat load of time.
Instagram @hardcorespeed for more pics. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
