Author |
Message |
Olympia SVX Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2011 Posts: 15 Location: Olympia Wa
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 2:28 pm Post subject: 92 SVX into a 86 vanagon |
|
|
Here we go!
Project:
1992 SVX into a 1986 2wd Vanagon
Background:
I have been drooling over Subaru conversions since I bought my van in 2005. Because of school/work/life I have not been able to even think about doing a conversion. Well times have changed! The conversion will happen now. Last summer we took a trip around the Olympic Peninsula and down the Oregon Coast, the trip was nice but the drivability of the van was not. That was the last straw. The van is very reliable around town but now we want to go on longer trips and on the Interstate, so time for the engine upgrade. After much consideration my wife and I are going to go with the SVX instead of the 2.2.
The Van:
1986 2wd Vanagon, bought from a guy who accidently said he was moving to Japan in two days. Needless to say we got it for very cheap. The Van came out of California with no rust and a rebuilt 2.1 with nice interior. I have driven it as a daily driver for 6 years with no problems. The other upgrades we have done are: HD head lights, lots of sound proofing, tinted windows, Blisten Shocks, paint, and other things I can’t think of right now.
The motor:
1992 SVX 186,000 miles
The Plan:
Complete rebuild of the SVX, KEP adapter plate/fly wheel/clutch, and will most likely go with the RMW engine mount and exhaust.
Wish me luck
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nice, I like the color. I haven't seen the van around Oly, but I wish you luck with the swap. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
SteveVanB Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008 Posts: 1645 Location: This side of Daytona
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 3:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah man! If I ever get my 2 litre turbo motor goin......I'll race ya Good luck wished...... _________________ 91 CARAT |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ProvoCyclist Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2004 Posts: 593 Location: Murray, Utah
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 3:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Looks like youve got a really nice van to start with! Theres a couple SVX-swapped guys on here, me included. If youve got any questions, feel free to hit me up. _________________ Clark
Current: 1986 Tintop GL 2wd, stock 2.1L, manual trans, Flash Silver LP7Y.
Past: 1985 Sunroof GL, 2wd, Subaru 3.3L, manual trans, resprayed to Diamond Silver L97A |
|
Back to top |
|
|
BillM Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004 Posts: 1381 Location: Stonington,CT
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 4:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That is a sharp color on your van. You will love the svx conversion. It not only runs smooth with excellent power they are very nice to look at. I'd think about an adding a limited slip with the wet roads you guys get. It's looking like that is my next big purchase (I don't have a subie I have another conversion that doesn't matter cause this is your thread). Keep us updated on the progress. You making a smart choice with vendors. Sounds like you have done your research.
Bill |
|
Back to top |
|
|
BenT Syncro Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2005 Posts: 1085 Location: San Francisco
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 4:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Very nice color. You'd have more info on Subaru swaps at the SubaruVanagon forum on Yahoogroups. There are several of them running around on my part of California in both Syncro and 2WD. _________________ BenT |
|
Back to top |
|
|
fastwagens Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 1028 Location: Michigan (The other west coast)
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 4:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
that has to be the best color I have seen on a vanagon. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Olympia SVX Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2011 Posts: 15 Location: Olympia Wa
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
WhiteH2O Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2009 Posts: 129 Location: Gig Harbor, WA
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 8:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You are living out my unrealized dream.
I had an SVX sitting in my garage that I was starting to take apart for a swap that I was going to do in the near future. Then I blew the current engine, and I was nowhere near having the engine ready and I needed my daily driver. SVX got sold, and the van was taken to Small Car for a 2.5liter swap.
Best of luck to you, and I will have fun watching this thread! Wish it was me, but I am having fun with the 2.5, would be nice to have a little more power, but I guess at least I have the reliability of an '09 engine... _________________ 1985 Wolfsburg Weekender- 2.5L Subie Power
2002 Subaru WRX Wagon
1998 Subaru Legacy EJ257 Swap, 410 AWHP (sold) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ryan Keating Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004 Posts: 217
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
In the middle of my conversion. Got the engine in and running. Now doing all the suspension and big brakes. Have fun with it. When you hear that engine run there is not a better sound. Good luck. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thummmper Samba Member
Joined: November 25, 2009 Posts: 2015 Location: Meadow Valley, California Republic
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 11:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
welcome to the nervous club! you will grow along with the project and proudly graduate to the order of six. The pitfalls are different for each combo, and I'm sure you are well versed in these. spare no expense on your trans, and you will be a flagship for the cause. Have fun and welcome! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 9:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
Most of my converesion experience is with the Subaru H6s.
Any questions, feel free to pmail me.
I also have numerous engines and a gigantic EG33 parts stash.
dylan |
|
Back to top |
|
|
j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 9:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
Olympia SVX wrote: |
I know there is more out there, if there is let me know. |
Did not see this in your list.
http://www.rjes.com/index.html _________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 9:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
j_dirge wrote: |
Olympia SVX wrote: |
I know there is more out there, if there is let me know. |
Did not see this in your list.
http://www.rjes.com/index.html |
The difference between the OPs plan to use a Kennedy setup vs. Richards' bellhousing is night and day, across the board.
I exclusively use the RJES now and after setting it up and feeling the clutch, I see no reason to look any further.
JWPATE will be using this setup on his EG33 build in another thread and the clutch I have installed on the H6 EZ motors....very sweet and very light pedal pressure, but can handle the power and torque without chatter.
My clients are in need of specific clutches and components for offroad capabilities, that is what sets the RJES apart from all the other options.
My personal vans are setup for the street and also appreciate being able to choose from an assortment of flywheels and clutch packs.
IMHO, a bellhousing is a much stronger way to mate a motor and transmission. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 9:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
As far as exhaust components go....
If you truely plan to have RMW build an exhaust system for you, I would call Mike, let him know ASAP and put down a deposit.
He will be building some soon and having larger numbers to produce will help.
Here is my thread showing the last version of the RMW EG33 exhaust.
It has been updated since my last post.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=446095&highlight=rmw+exhaust |
|
Back to top |
|
|
DehlerPEB Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2010 Posts: 111 Location: Germany, Augsburg
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 1:16 pm Post subject: Welcome to the club .... |
|
|
OlympiaSVX,
welcome to the club -- and enjoy the SVX experience ....
peb
Screwball, EG33, Former Oettinger 3.7ltr Automatic Carat with leather interieur ...
AND
Dehler 2+2 Whitestar, in preparation of the SVX Transplat ...just need to receive the UN1-Shiftersetup with the Busprojekte-Bellhousing .. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Olympia SVX Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2011 Posts: 15 Location: Olympia Wa
|
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 1:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
Got the motor on the stand. Can't wait to dive into this. Next step is cleaning this dirty motor.
Spoke with Mike at RMW and i am on the list for the exhaust!
I am planning on starting on the wiring harness next week. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Olympia SVX Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2011 Posts: 15 Location: Olympia Wa
|
Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 1:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
When I had some of the parts I got off the donor car in the van I had an idea. The radiator fan was propped up on the glove box I thought that would fit great right there. What do you think?
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
|
Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 2:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
That's really right where you want these important items, so you can monitor their activities at all times. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
purplepeopleeater Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005 Posts: 3117 Location: E. Washington
|
Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 6:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
Nice color, mr. weiner dog says tbe fan idea makes him barf |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|