Subaru Conversion... Ready, Set, Go!

Discussion in 'Alternative engine in bus' started by Kruger, Apr 8, 2018.

  1. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    I put my heater there as well, on the little shelf. Getting the heater tubes on was a right pain though!
     
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  2. Kruger

    Kruger Sponsor

    Got a few days off work now, so trying to make some much needed progress, and get all the underside prep work done.

    Do you both and @pkrboo get plenty of power from the fan motor being located behind the suspension beam, I know it’s mainly relative to the cfm of the fan, but also thinking about the length of run......but I’m going to try mounting it under the pedal pan as I’ve already cut the front section of heater tube out now! probabaly going to order one of the compact units from T7design as I’ve not got much confidence in the cheap eBay heater I first bought, might be ok if mounted directly behind the dash, but not really suited to a remote location unless additional fans are used, might possibly use it as a rear heater though.
     
  3. Yes output is good, only talking another couple of feet to where yours is going, both locations are probably ok, I chose the front of the rad area as it's close to the ready cut chassis holes I wanted to use.

    Real heat is lovely !
     
    Kruger likes this.
  4. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    I wouldn’t say plenty of power as I have mine going into the walkthrough area at the same time as can area. Wish I had left the diverter on now

    It’s enough to keep you warm.
     
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  5. Kruger

    Kruger Sponsor

    New heater arrived from T7Design, was double the price of the first cheap eBay heater, but is in a different league for build quality, and blows a decent breeze.

    This is their Compact Evo1 model, 4.3kw with a 135cfm blower, with a bit of grinding to the edges of the handbrake lever mounting baseplate under the cab floor and a couple of braces to give it some support, it can be made to fit so it almost blows direct into the totem pole air pipe.

    Water pipes feed almost straight onto the feed/return spigots at the back of the unit, when running the hoses through the original heater tube.

    Just need to sort a 3 Speed fan switch now.

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    Last edited: Oct 6, 2018
    art b, paradox and pkrboo like this.
  6. Kruger and Razzyh like this.
  7. Kruger

    Kruger Sponsor

    I’ve not posted an update in 16 months! In keeping with old habits, progress has been slow or I’d like to think of it as well considered and leisurely.

    Not much to report, I bottled at building the full gearbox, (I’d done the nose cone though) and decided to get Nick Tune to finish it off, and collected it this week.

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    Had all the mounts/brackets/radiator housing etc powder coated ready for the rebuild.

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    Finished the radiator pack, and have dry fitted it all with hoses, added rivnuts everywhere to attach the new side belly pans, and got a bit carried away with my new favourite tools for sheet metal work; Q-cutters and dimple dies! These have been essential for adding plenty of neat vent holes, hopefully this will be enough to ensure the expelled radiator heat doesn’t get trapped under the floor.

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    A work in progress pic, using a nut gun makes light work to cut and swage the additional holes
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    Gear linkage is almost done I think, but not had the finished gearbox in to test it yet. Using a beetle steering shaft for the moment as others have, had to open up the rearmost top hat section where it passes through, and to increase support for the gear shaft, I’ve added a bracket holding a pillar block bearing to the rear cross member, hopefully it’ll make the gear change more positive/less susceptible over time to increased play/or failure.

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    Not secured, but gives the general idea.
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    Just another quality photo I’ve taken whilst working.

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    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
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  8. really great work Kruger !
    Do you have a target for getting back on the road.
    No doubt about it, sometimes it's a slog, I was sick of the sight of my van on axle stands but it's awesome when it's finished. So come on, fix a date ;-)
     
    Kruger likes this.
  9. Kruger

    Kruger Sponsor

    Not really got a target to be back on the road, as time has slipped away when agreeing to take on other jobs,

    Got these here at the moment, finishing off a load of work on a friends early, front chassis leg replacement and all that entails, rebuilt front beam, and now swapping the engine out as the head gasket has gone, it runs a 16v MK3 golf engine, so not a quick swap over. Then theres a beetle to get fitted with a Subaru 2.0, meaning mines at the back of the queue!

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    Plenty of panel work to do on mine, going for early arches/rear vents, there’s less of a van now than there was 2 years ago!
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    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  11. Kruger

    Kruger Sponsor

    Maybe next year!
     
    the 3 crispies likes this.
  12. davidoft

    davidoft Sponsor

    it’s already next year ;)
     
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  13. Kruger

    Kruger Sponsor

    Over 2 years on, so time for an update :eek:

    Some Subaru conversion stuff achieved…some dithering and changes to plans when given too much time.

    Gear linkage change of plan, I’ve ditched the beetle steering shaft that I was going to use and made one from with some much sturdier universal joints, gearbox has been dry fitted to get the linkage setup and also trial fitted the driveshafts to check clearances and running angles as couldn’t remember if I’d done this previously when welding the rear chassis.

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    External fuel pump ditched to use the original Subaru In-tank pump, tank and pump pickup modified, pickup now points towards lowest point in the tank, and access panel cut into load floor above tank. - also added engine inspection hatch.

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    Cylinder heads, skimmed, pressure tested, and new cam seals and valve stems fitted
    Resealed oil pump,
    Painted engine block
    All gaskets etc sourced ready to reassemble

    The non Subaru swap bits…
    Welded a pair adjusters onto the front beam, removing the single tube old Foksy adjuster, also welded on a brake servo mount.
    New rear Wolfsburg West cargo floor fitted to replace the cheap Brazilian floor I’d previously put in
    Made new rear wheel arch forward sections where the rear seatbelts bolt to,
    Replaced top of drivers side rear wheel tub,
    Fitted sliding door aperture cut/track and B/C posts now tied in, got the sliding door gliding and fitting sweet! (for now as it’s still on stands!)

    Epoxy primed underside of new floor, and recoated most of the underside in tinted Raptor, the edges/wheel arches will be done after I’ve finished putting the outer panels on.

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    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2022
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  14. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    That’s a lot of work @Kruger :thumbsup:
     
    Kruger likes this.
  15. Nice to see it’s still moving on
     
    Kruger likes this.
  16. Wow impressed that bet must be making you sweat

    Sent from my SM-A127F using Tapatalk
     
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