Subaru mechanics in PNW that are willing to work on conversions?

[donnyk]

This feels like it shouldn't be a dumb question but after calling subaru shops it seems like one...

I'm just looking for a shop that will work on an engine specific issue (cam seal replacement) for my EJ25. I keep getting turned down. VW shops are expensive as hell and there's a long wait time. Do any of you guys in the Seattle area (who don't fix every problem on your own) have a subaru mechanic you'd recommend, or do you always bring it to a VW shop?

Apologies if I shouldn't even ask this here

* * * Moderator edit* * *

Shops that work on Subaru-converted Vanagons:

• Small Car Performance - Fife, WA
  
• PeaceVans - Seattle, WA
  
• NorthWesty - Renton, WA
  
• Eion's Automotive - Seattle, WA
  
• All Wheel Drive Auto - Kirkland, WA
  
• Drive Auto Sports - Woodinville, WA
  
  
• T & R Automotive - Salem, OR
  
  
• FW Motorsports - Rocklin, CA
  
  
• Affordable German - Phoenix, AZ
  
• Biel's Auto - Prescott, AZ
  

[DirtyBlueVan]

small car performance is in Tacoma
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1989 Syncro Westfalia 2.5 smallcar subie

[newerwesty1987]

Just go to a well rated (yelp) Japanese car shop. A lot of independents know more than the actual labeled shops do anyway and will surely be more open minded. I know of two near me that dont care about the swaps at all.

[hogan029]

If you need cam seals, it's a good time to "while you are in there"..food for thought.

[wesitarz]

Any independent mechanic who can do a Subaru timing belt should be able to do it. If you have a Smallcar engine carrier it involves unbuttoning the muffler, moustache bar and carrier to get at the full timing cover. Smallcar might be your best bet.

[markswagen]

While I can't give you the name of a shop, you should be looking for someone who modifies Subaru's, race rally, what ever, someone who is used to modifying them, shouldn't have a problem with a conversion, peoplease who are only used to stock Subarus won't go near it because it's not stock.

[jimf909]

I assume you called PeaceVans and Northwesty? I'm guessing they're the ones who are expensive and a month out.

Try Greg's Japanese auto.
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- Jim

[Corwyn]

[RainierSyncro]

If you stop at Small Car in Fife, hit Pick-Quick down the street for a burger.

[11BC2]

You could drive down to my Subaru shop in Rocklin, CA. We're swapped Vanagon friendly and there's a pretty decent brewpub 67m out our front door!

[Zeitgeist 13]

How come this question isn't brought up more when discussing swaps? I wouldn't touch a non-VW engine shoe-horned into a VW at my shop. And I assume the offbrand shop wouldn't mess with a bastardized VW in theirs. There's no profit in climbing the learning curve when there are other more relevant projects waiting. Simple maths.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[AZ Landshaper]

I can under stand the zitguest but theres a lot of swaps out there and for anyone with a price strategy theres still a profit to be made. And apparently the market is ripe for a qualified shop to step up to the plate.


try Pacific import auto
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Support Small Business.

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85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.

[jimf909]

[wesitarz]

[Zeitgeist 13]

I did my own swap as well, but that's not what the OP was asking about.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Abscate]

[donnyk]

I agree this should be discussed more. I'd think a japanese/subaru shop would be happy to look at something different but what Zeitgeist said seems to be true as I called 8 shops and they just won't work on it.

I appreciate all your input but I'll choose between peacevans/northwesty/small car even though it's solely the subaru engine that needs work...

thank you 11bc2 for the invite but I'm trying to find a little bit of a closer place

[ledogboy]

[levi]

[pnwkayaker]

Both me and my wife drive Subaru cars and service them at All Wheel Drive Auto (http://allwheeldriveauto.com) in Kirkland. The other day it occurred to me to ask the main guy down there

- "So, this might sound weird, but do you guys service Subaru engines installed on non-Subaru cars?"
- "You mean, like a Vanagon?"

I almost fell to floor when he said that!

It turned out that they haven't worked on any converted van yet, but they've heard about it and are not opposed to the idea of working with them - in fact, they're intrigued by it. He also mentioned that their sister shop Drive Auto Sports (http://www.driveautosports.com) located in Woodinville might be even more suited to deal with with a Sub conversion, since they have no problems working with special cars.

So that's it - I haven't brought my Syncro to them yet, but I might do that to get a second opinion on a potential pressure leak on my EJ25 (they do a great job on our regular Subarus). I might probably start at All Wheel Drive Auto first to get an idea of how they deal with a Suby on a VW, and might ask Drive Auto Sports afterwards (somehow I imagine the Woodinville shop will be more expensive than the Kirkland shop).
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87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")

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