1990 Westy w/ blown 2.2 Subaru engine - Should I buy it?

[Doverdude]

Hi all, there is a 1990 Westfalia for sale with a blown 2.2 Subaru on craigslist up here in Maine. The price is $9000 it looks in pretty good shape. Would it be worth it for me to purchase this and put a 2.5 Subaru in it? Thoughts please

[candyman]

If the overall condition of westy is solid, like minimum rust nice interior etc... i would strongly consider it. You can get a solid 2.2 or 2.5 used for $500 or less. If you can install then that saves a ton of money. If you have to outsource the work then the economics may not make sense. What are your skill levels?

[MarkWard]

It’s like buying an outboard that’s been used in salt water. Your buying the hull. A vehicle you can’t road test could have a lot of other needs. $9000 for a non running vanagon seems high. If it’s solid, “good hull” might be worth it.

It’s way easier to buy something running and sorted for slightly more.
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[oldskoolsteve]

I would.

The body is the real value... and how hard is it to find a used 2.2 from an auto wrecker and drop it in?

The conversion kit is expensive and that's already done.
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63 Type 3 1500 notch
84 WESTY: Suby EJ22 powered
85 WESTY: needs engine and trans
Hoodride for life

[wesitarz]

$9000 for a 90 Westy in good shape with blown Subaru seems like a deal. Others on this list might jump on it. Swap parts are already there and might be in good shape. All you need is the 2.5,harness and ECU. Better than buying it with a running high mileage 2.1 WBX.

[squeegee_boy]

Nope, useless, not worth your time. You should PM the link to the ad so I can avoid it too.



Robyn

/But seriously, assuming it's solidbody-wise and you can do the swap, do it.
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1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit
1971 Super Beetle with an EJ22. Oh yes. Daily driver

[pjn_wyo]

Buy it and swap in another 2.2 (or rebuild the one that is there) to keep it simple.

[JudoJeff]

Grab it ASAP
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________________________________________
1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[[email protected]]

Do it, looks good. You could rebuild 2.2 easy.

[dobryan]

I hope you are looking at it now with cash in hand....
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

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[Franklinstower]

what year 2.2? OBD1 or OBD2?

the 92-94 EJ22 have been the true work horse for Subaru. Really durable and long lasting engines, almost zero head gasket problems, can rev high all day long. About 20-30 hp less than the 2.5 but you get great reliability.
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'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug

[Doverdude]

I’m not sure what you were the engine is. It was installed in 2002.

[dabaron]

without confirming the transmission works... and with a blown engine... i'm not sure what i would do. it would have to be in really excellent condition to take that gamble. like everything else is there and working and in good condition.

i overpaid for my Westy project... i only say that after i've dug into it and then added up everything i've spent. i could have started with a nicer one for double the money. "they all cost 20k, it just depends you want to spend it" seems to ring true.
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[Zeitgeist 13]

Buy it and put a real engine in there. That's what I would do, and 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
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Casey--

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

[owokie]

[candyman]

[16CVs]

Unless it was real rusty or really trashed I'd buy it in a New York minute but I wouldn't take my my Texas time to do.
The conversion is worth 3K on its own if it's well done.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Zeitgeist 13]

Yes, sell the conversion or use it to moor your boat in the harbor.
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Casey--

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

[16CVs]

Or you could appease all the gods and take the Subaru out and put a Properly Built WBX in it.
Choose wisely.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[candyman]