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hometurbine Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2014 Posts: 157 Location: Cincinnati
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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And finally...this was posted in someone's build (Vee Dub Nut?), but then the picture/link got lost and I found it helpful, so I'm re-posting this...
_________________ Bill
'75 Westy Bus with Subaru EJ25 engine
GE CT58-100 helicopter gas turbine
Tiernay TT10 APU gas turbine |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16879 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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hometurbine wrote: |
or the Sunwest, which is about $1400 (inc. ship) |
seeing a subaru master seal kit (including head gaskets) is about 300 some-odd-dollars i don't see how someone (cough, GEX) could build one of these that cheap.
i have a 130k mile 2.5 here i was going to re-ring for my vanagon project. by the time i bought the updated pistons and rings i was at 700 bux. just made sense to spend the rest of the $$ for a new one.
let me confirm with Jeff Robenolt if this was the place he was having engines done by. his outcome was very poor _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Vee Dub Nut Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2004 Posts: 1184 Location: Dallas, GA
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Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Right on! Nice progress!
Regarding the short block PN's, thanks for finding and reposting the table. That's the one I had found back when I was doing my research. As you correctly stated, the original PN for my 99 Forester was NLA, so I bumped up a few years forward to an 04 Forester short block. The only real difference in my case (like the table suggests) was the crank case ventilation port. For my original 99 short block, it was just a pressed in hose nipple fitting in the case, and for the 04 short block, it was a threaded fitting. I just got the matching 04 threaded PCV valve and called it good. No issues to date at ~10k plus miles on it now.
Good luck with the reman short block. Given the minimal price difference, I would have just went OEM, but so long as the reman was built properly, there should be no problems.
Enjoying the progress, keep it up! _________________ 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 |
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deathman68 Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 342 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Vee Dub Nut Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2004 Posts: 1184 Location: Dallas, GA
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Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Awesome, looking great! You're going to love it! _________________ 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 |
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deathman68 Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 342 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:52 am Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Slowly plodding along. One of the biggest remaining projects is DONE. Some of you may remember my saga with the epoxy primer not curing up (twice ). First time was determined to be a bad batch, and second time because the supplier incorrectly stated that their epoxy primer was compatible with phospho (WRONG). Third time is a charm right?
Media blasted first (pics are in process):
Epoxy primed with awesome stuff from SPI...these guys were SUPER helpful answering my endless calls and questions.
The new paint and clear laid down like glass...makes me want to do the whole bus now with this high quality paint. Sourced it through a local shop who shoots cars for the lowrider scene down here.
Also managed to finish stripping and epoxy priming the gas tank:
Now I'm working on rebuilding the slider windows with new seals and prepping the interior for paint including full sliding door and front door R&R.
I'll get the shift linkage in and engine/trans installed in the next couple of weeks as well. _________________ 1973 Riviera “Annie”
Build Thread: 1973 Riviera+Subaru 2.5+5 Speed
EJ25+5 Speed Conversion Part/Cost Tracker |
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deathman68 Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 342 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Tue May 25, 2021 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Still chipping away at the project.
I abandoned my old gas tank and just pulled the trigger on a new, late-model tank since it already had the return line for the efi. I got tired of trying to contort my fingers into the sender hole to cinch up the pick-up tube that I had fabbed. In hindsight, I could have just welded a return to the tank and been done with it, but I had already POR'd everything and epoxy primed it. Oh well. Put new pads on the tank, new breather hoses/clamps, new weather seal around the firewall and got it all installed with stainless hardware.
I also took the opportunity to cut/waterseal/paint new insulation board for above the engine and re-wrap the original insulation in plastic.
Then I turned my attention to iteration#3 of the shift rod. Originally, I had used the super beetle steering shaft, but with the two u-joints, I felt that there was too much play as they "collapsed" to achieve better alignment. So I hacked an end off and welded an offset from a modified Subarugears part. Here's a quick video. NOTE: the bolts were NOT tightened which is why you can see the slop.
Link
There is still too much wobble at the end of the shift rod...nothing a linear bearing can't fix. Now, with the new setup, it's too tight even with the wobble and makes 5th gear selection difficult, so I will likely go back to the two u-joints and linear bearing as others have done before me.
Lastly, I *may* have gotten a little distracted and decided to see if my new LED headlights from JW Speaker fit. I got an amazing deal on them...they are the 7800 Classic model if you're interested. The fit was nearly perfect, but ultimately no trimming required of the headlights or the bus, so a win-win in my estimation.
One old and one new:
Both new:
Still no wiring harness to check output at night...maybe in a few months. _________________ 1973 Riviera “Annie”
Build Thread: 1973 Riviera+Subaru 2.5+5 Speed
EJ25+5 Speed Conversion Part/Cost Tracker |
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deathman68 Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 342 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Been picking away at the project in a somewhat schizophrenic way.
First off, I've logged a few hours with the TIG machine and decided that thin-walled aluminum is NOT fun.
After burning through a couple tanks of argon, I found my happy place. A bottle of scotch gifted to my Master Welder friend also helped get some insider tips for good welds:
Got the new rad hacked up and welded as well:
Then I turned my attention to the exhaust welding:
I started fabbing up the radiator support brackets from 1.5x2x.25 aluminum angle.
Lastly, I added a six inch section of shift tube to limit slop in the shifter mechanism.
TIGing under a bus was interesting to say the least, but at least it's functional. I burned through in a couple of spots, so I def don't have an issue with weld penetration I'll seam seal and paint as well as get the shift rod additional bushing added and use dust boots for a stock appearance. Additional pics/vid to follow.
This weekend, I'll also add the coolant ball return bung to the coolant pipe, flare the ends, and then wrap up the bending/welding of the forward radiator mount...then the welding part of the project should be done (at least in terms of the engine). _________________ 1973 Riviera “Annie”
Build Thread: 1973 Riviera+Subaru 2.5+5 Speed
EJ25+5 Speed Conversion Part/Cost Tracker |
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fokker100 Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2006 Posts: 149 Location: North of the border
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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 3:07 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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I admire the dedication to your project, it will be a very nice bus at the end, keep up to good work! |
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Vee Dub Nut Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2004 Posts: 1184 Location: Dallas, GA
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Looking good!! (and familiar )
Keep it up, you're getting close! _________________ 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 |
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Merling Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2008 Posts: 196 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Any details on the radiator setup (type of rad, detailed pics, etc) would be appreciated. Mine will be months away but would be great to have a thread that details the belly mount radiator with details. |
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deathman68 Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 342 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 3:09 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Vee Dub Nut wrote: |
Looking good!! (and familiar )
Keep it up, you're getting close! |
Imitation is the finest form of flattery.
@Merling, I’ll post details once I get the mounts finalized. I’ll include angles and other measurements, part nos, etc. My project tracker spreadsheet is up to date and you can find a link earlier in the post. _________________ 1973 Riviera “Annie”
Build Thread: 1973 Riviera+Subaru 2.5+5 Speed
EJ25+5 Speed Conversion Part/Cost Tracker |
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deathman68 Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 342 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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More progress today. Finished the rad mounts. I didn’t want to have the rad floating so I added some brackets with 1/8” rubber to hold it all in place.
If anyone is interested, here are some dimensions on the rad mounts. Note: the angles are obviously drawn as inverse (ie 25 degrees = 155 degrees).
To note: the rear mount attaches to the frame rails which are actually pitched at six degrees when viewed vertically.
Lastly, I turned my attention to adding some flares to my coolant piping. I find that I will TIG literally anything I can find an excuse to weld:
_________________ 1973 Riviera “Annie”
Build Thread: 1973 Riviera+Subaru 2.5+5 Speed
EJ25+5 Speed Conversion Part/Cost Tracker |
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panel Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2001 Posts: 1091 Location: Victoria B.C. Canada
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Merling Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2008 Posts: 196 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 9:58 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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You the man. Thanks to you and everyone else on here who keeps the builds gong. |
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deathman68 Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 342 Location: Atlanta, GA
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scirocco_crazy Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2011 Posts: 924 Location: Indiana
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deathman68 Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 342 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2021 9:03 am Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Quote: |
can you feel the wind in your hair driving the bus? its getting close. The finish is always the hardest. |
I wish. We’re about to move out of state so the bus project will be on the back burner for a few months. Good news is that finding a house with a garage is a non-negotiable!
Best part is we have a free place to stay while we house hunt. The only catch is that in exchange for free housing, I have to fix up this bus:
There are worse situations to be in… _________________ 1973 Riviera “Annie”
Build Thread: 1973 Riviera+Subaru 2.5+5 Speed
EJ25+5 Speed Conversion Part/Cost Tracker |
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hometurbine Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2014 Posts: 157 Location: Cincinnati
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Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:41 am Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Jeff,
...ah, so you did decide to move. Good luck! It gives me a chance to catch up to you.
Tangent related to conversion-->Two quick questions for conversion crowd:
1) Busaru engine support bar. I have a '75 bus, VW 091 transmission, KEP adapter plate ~5/8 inch thick, EJ25. This seems to be a pretty common set-up. However when I install the engine cross-member support bar, it overlaps the vertical stiffening brackets (I think earlier buses don't have those as wide). Even if I twist the bar aft, it doesn't seem to clear them. Is my position wrong (not sure how)? Oh, and I have new OEM mounts. Anyone have better pictures for comparison?
2) Evaporation line: What are others doing with this? Are you using the Subaru charcoal canister or other?
Oh, just noticed I have to change my signature...the VW engine is gone!
Thanks
Bill _________________ Bill
'75 Westy Bus with Subaru EJ25 engine
GE CT58-100 helicopter gas turbine
Tiernay TT10 APU gas turbine |
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deathman68 Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 342 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2021 2:26 pm Post subject: Re: Annie-other Subaru Swap - Build Thread |
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Hey Bill,
I picked up a VW canister from Pelican Parts. Part #: 1H0-201-801-C-M350. One end goes to the evap line on the Subaru fuel rail and the other ties into the vent lines which have been teed. The third inlet is open to atmosphere but could also be fed into the air intake. Unfortunately I don't have any pics yet. _________________ 1973 Riviera “Annie”
Build Thread: 1973 Riviera+Subaru 2.5+5 Speed
EJ25+5 Speed Conversion Part/Cost Tracker |
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