RMW or SC Subaru Conversion Kit preference in 2018 |
Rocky Mountain |
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64% |
[ 22 ] |
Small Car |
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17% |
[ 6 ] |
Other |
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17% |
[ 6 ] |
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Total Votes : 34 |
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brodyjdavis Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2014 Posts: 89 Location: Chicago, IL
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:23 am Post subject: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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I know there is another thread and reams of info available on the topic but I couldnt find a consolidated and up-to-date comparison between the two options.
Both companies have undoubtedly done through changes over the years they have offered these kits and I'm looking to hear from any experienced owners/mechanics that have recently dealt with either or both.
What did you like/dislike?
What would information would you like someone in the market today to know?
Present-day Rocky Mountain Westy or Small Car Performance Subaru Conversion Kits, whats your preference and why? _________________ 1984 Westy | www.brodyjdavis.com |
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ftp2leta Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 3271 Location: Montreal
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brodyjdavis Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2014 Posts: 89 Location: Chicago, IL
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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ftp2leta wrote: |
They are both great.
I use 2/3 of SC part for my conversions and I make the rest.
Ben |
Interesting, and thanks for chiming in! I'm curious which 1/3 you decide to not use in favor of parts of your own making? _________________ 1984 Westy | www.brodyjdavis.com |
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MsTaboo Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 4065 Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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Don't forget RJES
http://rjes.com
He has a real nice custom bell housing that doesn't have the funky inside the bell slave cylinder like SC. _________________ Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine. |
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brodyjdavis Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2014 Posts: 89 Location: Chicago, IL
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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MsTaboo wrote: |
Don't forget RJES
http://rjes.com
He has a real nice custom bell housing that doesn't have the funky inside the bell slave cylinder like SC. |
Would love to know more about these guys. I have to say, that website navigation leaves a lot of room for improvement. _________________ 1984 Westy | www.brodyjdavis.com |
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elizer Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016 Posts: 1450 Location: Northern Virginia
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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Vanaru has a kit but they only offer it to installer shops
http://www.vanaru.com/contactmap.htm
So you can't purchase a turnkey kit. I had Keith in Staunton, VA (installer/vendor) do some work and saw a kit he had just finished installing. Man it is a clean install. I thought I was going to go FAS route but the Vanaru kit has me thinking. |
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brodyjdavis Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2014 Posts: 89 Location: Chicago, IL
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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elizer wrote: |
Vanaru has a kit but they only offer it to installer shops
http://www.vanaru.com/contactmap.htm
So you can't purchase a turnkey kit. I had Keith in Staunton, VA (installer/vendor) do some work and saw a kit he had just finished installing. Man it is a clean install. I thought I was going to go FAS route but the Vanaru kit has me thinking. |
Interesting, but not ideal for us midwest Vanners if we want to work with a local shop. _________________ 1984 Westy | www.brodyjdavis.com |
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dlb154 Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2006 Posts: 359 Location: Reno, NV
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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Vanaru - get's my vote...
I've had someone do a Small Car conversion for me, bought a Westy with a Kennedy kit in it, and then did my own conversion using the Vanaru kit and it was by far the best of the three.
I was one of the last private parties that Vanaru sold to before switching sales to authorized shops only.
Heard good things about the RMW kit but have no first hand experience with it. It's a different engine mount than the Small Car and the Vanaru engine mount. |
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RichBenn Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2005 Posts: 703 Location: Lake Tahoe, NV
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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From what I’ve heard and experienced, on an absolute quality and support scale, RMW wins. On a value scale, due to lower cost, Smallcar wins. I did a Smallcar one before the bellhousing came out. It works well, and I had no problems with the header, like some have. Of course when people have problems, they often post over and over and can make the numbers appear worse than they really are.
OTOH, you don’t seem to find negative posts on RMW. That says a lot. _________________ Rich |
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dlb154 Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2006 Posts: 359 Location: Reno, NV
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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RichBenn wrote: |
OTOH, you don’t seem to find negative posts on RMW. That says a lot. |
Same goes for the Vanaru kit. I've never came across negative posts on the Vanaru kit. |
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MsTaboo Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 4065 Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 10:57 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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brodyjdavis wrote: |
MsTaboo wrote: |
Don't forget RJES
http://rjes.com
He has a real nice custom bell housing that doesn't have the funky inside the bell slave cylinder like SC. |
Would love to know more about these guys. I have to say, that website navigation leaves a lot of room for improvement. |
Yes, his site is not the best, but he gets great reviews.
Being that he's in England you will hear more about his stuff on the 80-90 forum. Do a search there. _________________ Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine. |
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boravr Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2017 Posts: 5 Location: Edmonton, AB
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:56 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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Voted RMW as I just finished an EJ25 conversion into 1991 automatic Westy, and I was very happy with how it all went together: completeness of the kit, quailty in engineering and manufacturing, the instructions provided with the kit and support over the phone (the one time I had to call in regarding alternator light wiring, RMW were helpful and courteous).
As others mentioned, a bit on the pricey side but you do get what you pay for, that’s for sure. |
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ELO78 Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2015 Posts: 167 Location: Oak Park, IL
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 6:44 am Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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brodyjdavis wrote: |
elizer wrote: |
Vanaru has a kit but they only offer it to installer shops
http://www.vanaru.com/contactmap.htm
So you can't purchase a turnkey kit. I had Keith in Staunton, VA (installer/vendor) do some work and saw a kit he had just finished installing. Man it is a clean install. I thought I was going to go FAS route but the Vanaru kit has me thinking. |
Interesting, but not ideal for us midwest Vanners if we want to work with a local shop. |
Are you planning to work with a local shop? Which one? Do they have a preference on which kit? _________________ Eric
1990 Westy Multivan, 2.1 L WBX, 4-speed - SOLD
2003 EuroVan Westy Weekender |
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ftp2leta Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 3271 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 7:49 am Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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brodyjdavis wrote: |
ftp2leta wrote: |
They are both great.
I use 2/3 of SC part for my conversions and I make the rest.
Ben |
Interesting, and thanks for chiming in! I'm curious which 1/3 you decide to not use in favor of parts of your own making? |
Personal choice, anything that as liquid in it is made by my welder.
Ben _________________ Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta |
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elizer Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016 Posts: 1450 Location: Northern Virginia
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 8:35 am Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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ELO
I have not made a decision on what conversion yet. But I had Valley Westy (Complete Auto Care) do some work on my rig. He is an authorized installer of the Vanaru conversion. So naturally that is their preference. |
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ELO78 Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2015 Posts: 167 Location: Oak Park, IL
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 8:48 am Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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elizer wrote: |
ELO
I have not made a decision on what conversion yet. But I had Valley Westy (Complete Auto Care) do some work on my rig. He is an authorized installer of the Vanaru conversion. So naturally that is their preference. |
I'm more curious about the OP, as he's local to me. But, good to know about your sitch. _________________ Eric
1990 Westy Multivan, 2.1 L WBX, 4-speed - SOLD
2003 EuroVan Westy Weekender |
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elizer Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016 Posts: 1450 Location: Northern Virginia
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 9:15 am Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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lol should have caught that. Went right over my head. |
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baltik Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2015 Posts: 440
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:12 am Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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I asked this on the other thread but perhaps this is a better place to ask - does the small car kit offer better ground clearance vs kep/rmw assuming similar oil pans |
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brodyjdavis Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2014 Posts: 89 Location: Chicago, IL
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 8:26 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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Are you planning to work with a local shop? Which one? Do they have a preference on which kit?[/quote]
I am planning to work with Auto Ventures in WI https://m.facebook.com/jeffrobenolt/
Jeff makes wire harnesses for dozens of shops and is putting the finishing touches on his own shop build-out. He's also just under 200 miles from most of Chicago so our AAA will cover the tow (our van is currently not running reliable enough to make the trip) _________________ 1984 Westy | www.brodyjdavis.com |
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creedua Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Prestonsburg Ky 41653
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Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: RMW vs SC Subaru Conversion Kits |
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Being in eastern Ky. there is no shop that I am aware of to do installs. Of all the kits which would be the easiest for a total novice? I have been looking at the KEP ones. Some guys say the 1.9 TDI is the easiest. |
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