The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi all. I am looking at making an engine conversion from a subi into a VW 1989 Caravelle. Sacrilege i know for some of you, but subaru dont make a van like i want.

My too options are the ez30 and the ej25. I do not want turbos. I assume they are fuel injected motors?

What is the Kw/HP of the ez30 and ej25. i know both will fit in the back of the van easily, just want to know if there is any inherent problem in doing so. it will only be rear wheel drive so some work done on the box to blank of the front drive section. and revers splines/gears from subigears to make the wheels go the right way.

anything else I should know about. I would have to loom changed to suit and plan to install the subi dash.

Thanks for the info.

mark

Hi and Welcome to AUSubaru Mark,

This will help with some of your questions...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Subaru_engines

You'll need to remember the EJ's are 4cyl and the EZ's are 6cyl, so you're going to get a lot higher torque figures from the 6 but you'll also use more fuel than the 4. It will really depend on what you're planning on doing with the Caravelle. I once fitted a EJ20 quadcam non-turbo engine in a Caravelle and it went great but it lacked the get up and go of a 6. I would definately recommend the 6.

I wouldn't worry to much about the Subi dash as there is only a couple of things on there that you'll use. I would think it would be more trouble than it's worth.

Dave (subarino) and others out there are great at cutting wiring looms down to utilise just the items needed to run the engine only and have the necessary other wires off it i.e. check engine light, tacho, fan control, etc..

Cheers,
Paul

Thanks RSR555. i will read the wiki on the motors and get back to you.
mark.

If you are going to go with the EZ30, I recommend the earlier engine from the Gen3 Outback. It makes a little less power, but it will be easier to strip down the loom.

The later EZ30 from the Gen4 Liberty and Outback has and electronic throttle (Drive By Wire and variable cam timing/lift (AVCS/AVLS)

I read on another conversion forum that the later engine (and possibly the earlier one too) has a returnless fuel system, so just be wary of that when setting up the pump and regulator

Also forgot to mention Mark, I'd be using just the engine and fit an adaptor plate.. this way there is no need to play arout with trying to reverse the diff. It has been done before but it's a more costly exercise.

Here are some websites to keep you going for a bit...

http://www.rslibertyclub.org/forums/sho ... hp?t=83160

http://www.smallcar.com/

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/view ... ?tid=76142

http://www.rjes.com/html/ez30_h6_3_0_litre_0.html

Hi Paul.

having read all you have recommended and more that i have found, brings up other questions. I wanted to stay with a complete subi setup, engine and trans.

TO go the the reversed manual trans from subigears will set me back +/- $4000. so i am kind of stuck with staying with the VW auto 3 speed, or converting to manual. They dont do an auto, yet.

All the info that i can find show me from a manual with clutch kit, either bell housing or backing plate.

How does one connect the stock VW to the H6 and more importantly, how long will it last. i am not after track or drags performance nor drive that way. Just want something that is better, more efficient and with more grunt for the lots of highway driving i plan on doing.

how easy is it to convert a h6 auto to manual. I have heard that the ecu's etc and be tricky going from one to the other.

Mark

Hey Mark.. I'm not sure if anyone has put the H6 behind a auto in a VW but I'm sure there would be one out there. I'd do a search for EJ in VW auto.. this would give you some ideas. I've never put a manual trans behind the Subi H6.. maybe someone else can help there? but my thoughts if you cut the whole wiring loom down to just the engine loom then the ECU shouldn't be looking for the TCU inputs.

I'll do some research today and report back