Subaru Swap or Powerhaus 2332

[crownline]

You being in Minnesota would benefit from the heat a water cooled would provide.
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1972 Bus 1700 cc Single Carb. But not a progressive.
Barelymuvin
Wish I still had the ones I got rid of.

"It"s got some dings and dents and neither of us is going to SEMA."(Update, I went to SEMA in 2019 but the Bus stayed home)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-8446.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Earl Bay]

A tough one indeed... Subaru for longevity and reliability if money isn't an issue.
I'm voting aircooled for the soul though. But I'd choose a milder setup.

But then again, if emmissions regulations come into play, maybe the subie is the better long term investment....

[67sash]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

best of luck on which way you go

if you're going to tow with this and run an aircooled in a heavy hightop i'd really be watching your CHT's

my gut tells me you're going to have a melted pile of parts, but to each their own
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[blue72beetle]

I recently built a fuel injected 1776 for my bus. If I had to do it over again or if the guts end up all over the road, I'll go Subaru.
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-Andy-
-1970 Ghia-
-1971 Bus 1776 Microsquirt EFI-

[richparker]

If you go with that Powerhouse I’d be real specific on what I’d want in and on that engine. I look at that pic you posted and I see carb linkage that is trash. It comes with Chinese tin, not German tin, which is trash. That engine in the pic doesn’t have a thermostat or flaps because that 36hp Chinese dog house fan shroud doesn’t except flaps. It doesn’t have heat exchangers and if you’d like any sort of heat in that hit too you better use original German ones. They don’t list any manufacturers parts in there list so you don’t know what you’re getting. For example, whos crank are you getting, whos heads, who’s rods, who’s oil pump, who’s pistons and cylinders, who’s rings, why bolt on valve covers, who’s alternator? My money is on they don’t give a manufacturers name because all the shit is probably EMPI and you’d be better off burning your money then building an engine with ANY EMPI parts!

When I have a engine built I sit down with the builder and go over every part I want on and in the engine. My builder is top notch, so I do leave some stuff up to him. But believe you me I would never put any EMPI parts on either of my VWs. Now, I do have a Chinese 36hp fan shroud on my beetles engine. My builder and I had more then one go around about it and he had to modify it to accept German flaps. Cause there ain’t no way I’m running a ACVW engine without flaps.

Buyer beware, educate yourself before you buy. Read my parts list I posted, all high end name brand parts and even then nothing is a guarantee.
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[airschooled]

Are you going to ship your bus to either shop for the installation? Consider the hidden costs as well- most PH builds need a remote-mounted oil cooler and filter.

The parts they use aren’t always top-tier, they’re just expensive. When you’re 800 miles from home and the oil pump craps out, are you going to shut it down in time to save your $10k investment?

That engine had about a thousand miles on it. It now has about three thousand, but the valves go out of adjustment every 400 miles or so, and they still haven’t settled down. I can deal with some quirks of a Type 1, but not stuff like that. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.

Plus they’re fucking loud.

Robbie
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Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[ZENVWDRIVER]

… i'd sell and buy an old E-150 - z

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5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[Shonandb]

I opted to go Subaru after finding out my new to me 76 Westy had a 1700cc in it instead of a 2000cc and it needed a complete rebuild.

I rebuilt a 1700cc that I had in my 73 Panel back in the 90s but was always having to adjust or fix something, especially with the dual carb set up and decided to take on the Subaru swap.

I did my research and did the Subaru 2.5L SOHC swap myself including the harness. The mechanical and electrical work was pretty straight forward and I customized a number of things that I was told was "ambitious" by others.

Total cost of the swap including the Subaru donor, new engine components/parts and machining, a mix of Small Car and Busaru swap kits, wire, hoses, hardware, etc and buying a used 86 Vanagon 010 transmission and having it rebuilt was just under CAN$10k.

Now other than fixing or upgrading regular VW issues (wheel bearings, suspension, rust repair, brakes, headlights, etc), I just get in and drive. No tinkering with the engine, have good heat and can easily maintain highway speeds up mountain passes fully loaded with camping gear, bikes, 4 people, windsurfing gear, canoe, and a dog.

I get about the same to slightly better gas mileage than the AC and comfortably pull a small sport trailer. My DIY work is not as tight/clean as Skills or other professionals here but I'm super happy with the results and no oil leaks, drips, or top ups needed after a long drive.

Good luck with whichever path you choose.
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image

[Xevin]

[Xevin]

Nice job cleaning up Dub Ranch. Sorry I tossed all that Ghia stuff in the dumpster. I just saw you bought a Ghia for the wife.
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Keep on Busin'

[Abscate]

It’s like choosing between syphillis and gonnorhea, we will clap for either decision. Choosing is all the fun!
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.ssS!

[RalphWiggam]

I have the original 1700 in my 72 and am completely happy with it, but in your case with a hightop and wanting to be able to tow, Id probably go with the Subaru.

It also depends on how long you plan on keeping your bus. The subaru will be more expensive 'at first' but over time and >120k miles it will be the cheaper option.

[Gashog]

I can finally add something pertinent to Samba discussions, hallelujah!
I’ve a 72 with a factory reman 1700 (32K) from the original owner. The engine is fine, but once the novelty of adjusting valves, timing and syncing carbs wore off…I said to hell with it. Decided on the Subaru with my reworked three rib. There’s PLENTY of VW specific maintenance left to fortify my “soul”.

After much internet surfing and drooling, a few telephone conversations (one lengthy and to the point), I’m going with Mr Skillz. A decade of satisfaction from customer swaps, detailed video and photographic documentation and an attention to detail bordering on obsession. Hellz yeah!

Anyhow, thanks for the opportunity to contribute. Y’all have a golden day.

[Robert-OR]

I went with a Subaru 2.5 and the Subaru transmission with the Subarugears with the 4.44:1 3 years ago. I spent $6000 , included a complete engine rebuild and new bearings in the transmission, did all the work myself and have 20k miles on it with no issue but the fuel pump needing replace 4 times now.
If I were to do it again I would do the exact same thing except maybe get the 4.11:1 gears.
Nobody knows its a Subaru engine, I get the same reactions (smiles) from just as many people as I did when I had the air cooled in it. Went from 13/17 MPG to 20/25 MPG and keep up with traffic no problem.