72 baywindow powered by something else....

[Motive]

I have a 72 transporter and now that I have almost completed the brake and suspension work, my attention is turning to the engine.

These are the engines available in my garage and some thoughts behind using them. I have the harness, ecu to each of them.

Toyota 5sfe - its a camry 2.2 engine with about 90k miles. Makes around 130 horsepower, extremely reliable, extremely easy to replace with another longblock for under $500 all day.


Toyota 3sge Beams engine - Black top, rwd version from a JDM lexus r200. This engine is incredibly amazing. Well balanced, high horsepower (170ish), good torque through the entire band. I fear the ecu may be a nightmare for me. Wiring is my kryptonite. The semi drive by wire can be delted for a very easy 17$ rubber gromit.

Toyota 22r - extremely clean rebuild with a cam. Sounds great, strong torque, but heavy iron block. This was a strong truck motor for years. I ran it in a 74 celica, its a fun engine.

last- toyota 4age 20v. Its a very clean engine with about 65k. Strong torque for a 1600cc engine. I know there is a lot of people running this in dune buggy and bugs, but haven't found much on the baywindow.


I have some civic radiators and some aftermarket mr2 radiators that seem to fit nicely.


Just want to hear others opinions on which and why... I know I have been banging my head, but it would be nice to hear the communities input.

Yes, I do know there is a popular Subaru swap going around... .no, I do not want it.

[Vee Dub Nut]

I doubt you're going to get a ton of input here, as swaps are still not super well accepted.

That said, the priority I would put on selecting and engine off the top of my head would be:

1) Reliability level/availability of parts level
2) Fit in the engine bay (I'm not a fan of big body mods)
3) Power Output

I myself did (rather, am doing) a Subaru EJ25, as it fit my needs and preferences well. I considered an inline 4 cyl VW watercooler, but the EJ beat it out in total on the items above.

Good luck!
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Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2006

67 Beetle (TBD)

74 Transporter (EJ25 Swapped) - Build Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

See all my VW pics on Instagram @ vee_dub_nut

[Hikelite]

I think Vee Dub Nut's list is spot on.

The only other consideration I would make is familiarity with the power plant. Sounds like you have a preference for Toyota. I'm guessing you have worked on them a lot.

In regards to #1 and #2 on VDN's list, while not specifically mentioned, I'd also take into consideration serviceability. You don't want to have to drop the engine to change a spark plug for example.

I hope you share the project when you do it. I get why the Subaru boxer engine is popular, but, besides VWs, I've driven mostly Toyotas in my life. I can't recall seeing anyone put a Toyota power plant into a VW.
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~Kevin

My 1968 Campmobile

[SGKent]

I don't recall a Toyota in any bus. I think there is one Acura engine. Generally speaking the cost to do a swap is a lot more expensive than one thinks once special adapters are considered etc.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[andrewtf]

I know absolutely nothing about engine swaps - but I seem to recall there being an issue with the output direction of the engine. In a thread of a year or so ago - someone one was discussing why some particular engine was not used in swaps and it was because it turns the wrong direction.

Would this be an issue with any the choices above?
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'75 Riviera - 'BIG EMMA' (Pan American highway trip paused for a make over)
'77 Riviera - Murphy' (being reborn.... slowly)
'63 Austin Healey

[sjbartnik]

4 speeds in reverse and 1 forward would be fun
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[SGKent]

[Hikelite]

[Abscate]

[tristessa]

[Motive]

[SGKent]

see if you can find a Porsche with a Toyota engine. If you can then follow that trail. The 1972 bus was engineered based on the 1968 - 1971 upright VW beetle engine upgraded to the same horizontal engine used in the 914-4 and 912E at that time.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[timvw7476]

The first choice,130hp.
Even that is too much if you have little experience with bus steering &
suspension.
& ground clearance, I'd use the one that can have the oil pan configured/
cut down to mimic the original oil sump height as close as possible.
VW did a great job of that, no inline engine gets close in stock form.

[Abscate]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

go Subaru...depending on what you do engine wise you get 165hp out of the gate.

no matter what swap you'll need to re-gear the trans....no if's and's or but's about it...water cooled's don't like life at 4200 rpms for ever and ever

you will have zero support with a toy yo yo...tons of Subaru or 1.8T info out there. not so much with a Toyota
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[tristessa]

[vwwestyman]

I doubt the site is all that helpful for this potential conversion, but I have had my head in the back of one Bus powered by a Toyota motor.

http://www.blabberon.com/rdcowdet.html

If I remember things correctly, the builder was not the current owner of Road Cow when I saw it. Not sure if Road Cow has moved on from the owner I knew or not; it was 8 or 10 years ago that I saw it.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[SGKent]

Interesting write up. One thing that I did see is that the flywheel gets welded up. The 2.0 flywheel that goes with the 091 transmission is cast iron. That would bother me. Maybe have to downsize in flywheels and bell housings to a forged flywheel size.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[tristessa]

Vanagon WBX flywheel is forged, is 228MM and has the same bolt pattern to connect to the crank...

[dumptuck]