for a subaru conversion. Been thinking about this again, now the van is restored and been on the road a couple of years, I still have an urge for more urge.. Messing with Audi drivers who hang onto your chuff appeals as well.. Been looking to buy a complete car and notice that the prices for beaters seems to be fairly strong these days. However I have tracked down something local and for buttons. A complete 2002 non turbo 2ltr impreza . Complete and driving so a good start. IF its a decent donor car. I am aware its best to get one as early as possible to save some of the modern gizmo complications would the 2002 be a good start point ? Plan would be to collect parts over the coming year, spread the cost and perhaps have it ready for a bolt in next winter . Just an idea at this stage ..
Maybe you can answer my question as no one has ever done before, if you want to drive a vehicle with a Subaru engine in it why not buy a, let’s think about it, a Subaru car, ?
2002 will be fine. CANbus electrics started to be introduced after 2003, still useable but the wiring is a bit more involved and for ease a wiring emulator is needed which adds to the cost. The man you need to speak to is Nick Tune who’s done loads of harness conversions or Matt @pkrboo
You asked why if people wanted to drive a Subaru engined vehicle why not buy a Subaru car.....ignoring that most people do it as its superior in terms of performance and more than competitive if you aim to keep the vehicle for a while in price to a camper van. Under that logic, if the engine is the most important part as per your question....you'd drive a beetle and experience the same issues were you to try and camp in it as the Subaru fancier you ask about.
Its not a case of wanting to drive a subaru its a matter of wanting to get more use from what is otherwise an underused garage ornament. The van serves its purpose as an outdated form of camper, its fittings serve that purpose well enough for my needs, but the performance is close to dangerous. I have driven a lot of vans and to say that most of those dont belong anywhere near a public road is an understatement. Unfortunately some folk use the poor performance as an excuse, along with the " its an old vehicle its gonna break down" argument which is complete bull crap. It breaks down because its maintained on a shoestring and is probably a piece of scrap.. But I digress. My van is currently a 1641, brand new not rebuilt, with twin carbs and other minor mods. It runs fine if you want to go to the park on a sunny day. However over the last 2 years since completing the restoration which took place over an eight year period, Ive pretty much covered a good deal of Scotland, and Wales .. Probably somewhere in the region of 10,000 miles intotal with other day trips and weekends taken into account. My van is sorted suspension, steering and brake wise, it honestly drives like a car with zero rattles squeaks or drama. The downside to it is simply it low power output and the fact that the tiny air cooled lump in the back end really doesn't like being pushed for any length of time. Like it or not, driving these tubs is getting dangerous, be it on a motorway ( which I go out of my way to prevent) or dual carriageway (sometimes cant be avoided) or with the numb nuts on the road these days , even back road single carriageway treks over what appears to be some folks personal race track despite their dubious driver abilities.. So curious looking van ... check Ability to camp ... Check Decent performance for modern traffic ... FAIL Push it hard for any length of time ... FAIL But thanks for your input even though you failed to add anything relevant.
I’m on my 3rd Impreza, a ‘98, an ‘03 and an ‘04, and none have had canbus. Current one is the 54 plate. I suspect that didn’t come in until at least the ‘05 facelift or more likely the newer hatchback models after that. The pre-facelifted 2.0 engines are pretty durable and little changed since first produced as far as I’m aware. As long as they’ve had oil in them and they’re unmolested they’ll likely outlast the chassis! No-one bothers to mess about with the non-turbos so in theory should be a good base even with some mileage on them. Mine were all turbos and 100-200k+ without any mechanical issues, one turbo at 120k due to previous owner not cooling down from hot aside. Pre- 2000 old shapers there were some gearbox alignment issues affecting synchro and clutches but you won’t be using that anyway. Cam belts/plastic tensioners/pulleys are worth changing if there’s no history or not done 50k or more ago, although even that advice changes depending on what country you live in. One thing that happened on two of mine at around 150k is that the metal header tank corrodes around the filler neck and starts to weep. I araldited one and replaced the other. Not sure if non-turbos had them. If it doesn’t rattle too much at the top end on start up, knock, or smoke too much except when given full beans chances are it’s got life in it. Expect it to start using oil around 100k so check regularly. I’ve never run one in my bus though. I’ve actually just replaced my 1700 with an 1800. Had it been a 1.6 or were the bus not mostly original I may have considered it. Since I’d be paying someone else I reckon it would cost around the same or more than a rebuilt vw did anyway so keeping originality won easily for me as the type 4 lump is good enough for my needs and a step up from a stock type 1 by all accounts. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m not an expert machanic so for me the simplicity of my aircooled engine is a major factor in as I’m able to maintain it myself something I enjoy may I add, if my old camper had a super dooper Subaru engine in it I would have to take it to a garage for any repairs, so each to their own as they say, By the way I’m not a fan of beetles so I won’t be camping in one
Cheers, saw one for sale local and for the asking price it might be worth just grabbing it and stripping it out. The earlier cars seem to be getting harder to find. Im not looking for balls out performance, just a sufficient increase in power to trot along with modern traffic and the ability to keep cool at a constant speed. I really dont want to use the Subaru box, Ive got several VW boxes all type 2. For a moderate power increase and sensible driving ( no drag racing) I assume the VW box is good enough..? I had a van that was converted to Rover V8 that ran on a standard transmission, unfortuately I never drove it and ironically swapped out the rover for an aircooled motor..!! I read years ago that the van transaxle is pretty robust.. As for gearing, at 60 would it be revvy ?
I'm ok as mechanic, have zero knowledge on VW air cooled. In the 8 years since mine was converted it's had its oil changed and is due belts soon. Other than that, it lost the earth from the alternator due to corrosion that I fault identified in less than 2 minutes with a multimeter and fixed with some emery cloth. Even the worst mechanic in the world can cope with the next to zero maintenance and no 'tinkering' arsehatery that many people call 'character'. Everyone I know with a Subaru bus loves the fact you can leave them on a battery conditioner for months and they'll start and drive you 100's of miles immediately with no worries. Eventually someone will have a failure, and all those ankle deep week in week out in blocked jets, bent float valves, split cases, seeping pushrod tubes etc etc can finally feel vindicated - though the huge majority don't care! I bought a loom and complete engine from a auto car with full service history for £100. Alternators are £20 second hand, cam belts £15, plugs £10 a set. Personally, there's enough problems with rust and crap aftermarket parts quality for me to think I need the engine to worry about too. Each to their own.
Mine was fine on a Boggo 3 rub box, engine revs were a bit high, but not 'Jim she can nae take it she'll blow' bad.
My brother ran a 6 rib on a 350 - 400 ish bhp Scooby beach buggy, and only recently opted for Subarugears, he said it ran fine and i've been in it at 100 mph ish! If it was me though i'd opt for a subaru box too! Good luck
I've got a 6 rib box with longer 3rd and 4th....am swapping for Subaru gearbox in the new year as I have more money than sense.
Quick and Easy answer @redoxide yes a 2002 Impreza non turbo is a good donor. Depending of course on mileage etc. It's a phase 2 engine so more refined.
