Harold - the T25 van (1.8T content)

[GeorgeMK1]

Fantastic build thread. I've done the EJ25 conversion into my T3, however it seems I'm too much of a VW purist (plus I really don't like the Subaru sound much) so I'm seriously considering a 1.8T conversion later this year.

Hey matey, in terms of keeping it pure, yes the 1.8T is the way to go, but the power delivery (relative to the T3) of the EJ25 is much better than my setup. The 1.8T just cant compare in terms of torque to the EJ25.
Even though mine is tuned and does some pretty sick gravel skids, it uses too much fuel due to the tune.

I recently did a south-east coast trip from Melbourne to Gold Coast over a short period of 3 weeks. Had some time off from work and thought why not put the van to use!

This was the living quarters for the duration.




Did some other cool stuff along the way too, enjoy! =]













It was an awesome trip with so much cool stuff to see in between. Overall did around 3825km which cost $836.11 on fuel, and funnily enough the day I left, the fuel gauge just decided to stop working... luckily I had a jerry can - because I ran out of fuel twice haha.

I've also realised I will need to invest in a fridge/freezer as using the esky with ice was just not good enough. Getting a fridge will mean I'll have to get a solar panel and what not - but at this stage I just don't understand the whole concept, so will require more research before I can commit. If anyone has done an install of their own and can explain to me how the system works, ie; solar panel goes to a distributor of somesort, then to the aux battery etc?

I was also really shocked it made it so many k's with zero problems, I think I was expecting problems considering it was a driveway build, but surprisingly none at all apart from fuel gauge not working.


Cheers!

[ericcs]

[QUOTE=GeorgeMK1;1262735]Hey matey, in terms of keeping it pure, yes the 1.8T is the way to go, but the power delivery (relative to the T3) of the EJ25 is much better than my setup. The 1.8T just cant compare in terms of torque to the EJ25.
Even though mine is tuned and does some pretty sick gravel skids, it uses too much fuel due to the tune.

I recently did a south-east coast trip from Melbourne to Gold Coast over a short period of 3 weeks. Had some time off from work and thought why not put the van to use!

This was the living quarters for the duration.




Did some other cool stuff along the way too, enjoy! =]







I've also realised I will need to invest in a fridge/freezer as using the esky with ice was just not good enough. Getting a fridge will mean I'll have to get a solar panel and what not - but at this stage I just don't understand the whole concept, so will require more research before I can commit. If anyone has done an install of their own and can explain to me how the system works, ie; solar panel goes to a distributor of somesort, then to the aux battery etc?


just helped a mate do a cheap easy set up in his T3. firstly, wired up a VSR(voltage sensing relay) of the main battery. this charges a second battery only while the engine is running. Then bought a 60L Kings fridge/freezer, and a 160w Kings solar panel with an inbuilt regulator. Easy compared to the electrics needed for your conversions1

[pudgy]

Those photos are really selling the #vanlife...that’s what it’s all about!

Anyway you’re thread gave me inspiration to do a 1.8T conversion (read through it again last night). Like you my AWP (180hp although I have a unitronic stage 1 tune as well), was being held for a mk1 conversion but the T3 will appreciate it sooner than the mk1.

Anyway at this early stage (engine and gearbox just put in van but no fabrication of anything yet) I have a few questions if you’ve time:

1. What size exhaust and intake piping did you choose and why?
2. How did you determine the actual position (height) of the engine in the bay? I thought I’d use the top of gearbox to the body (compared to standard), but it seems at a standard gearbox position the engine would be too high so it needs to slant down slightly as opposed to standard. Just wondering how you determined the correct position?

Thanks heaps!
Peter

[GeorgeMK1]

Hey all - in an effort to get back into a forum that i've loved for soo many years and have learned tenfold from I'm going to continue the build here with all that I've done up to this date. I feel that forums have slowed down with the dawn of socials, so I'll do my bit in trying to keep it alive.

Question, whats the pic upload situation these days, photobucket still? Or is there something a little easier to upload pics via.

As you can see, theres lots to catch up on inbetween. Cheers

[Rebuild]

I stopped using photobucket years ago, after their pitiful upload quota and wanting $$$ all the time.
Just use free MS One Drive now for forum stuff. I think it's first 15GB free

[guile]

I use Flickr, appears to work well and is free...

[Sunny43.5]

Love the photos of your trip , living the dream where was the waterfall / Now as for fridge freezer we do a lot of moto cross riding and camping off grid well not too far off grid but enough that we needed a fridge freezer for some coldies and steaks . I went with a 60 litre Brass Monkey Fridge Freezer from RTM . then I fitted a 150AH deep cycle AGM battery under the front Passengers seat {T5.1 } Then we use one of these for solar power 150w Heavy Duty Portable Solar Mat with 15A Smart Solar Regulator - Hardkorr Australia the whole setup is that the cars electronics charge the second battery while driving but it isolates the car from the second battery if the second battery drains below a certain voltage which saves you from ending with a main flat battery . The solar panel charges the second battery through a regulator , also the second battery isolator is Kings one which also controls the batteries and has multiple USB charging outlets and a cigarette socket size outlet .The fridge freezer runs for days off the solar battery combo and we also charge phones Go Pro cameras Drones and even run Hardkorr Led lighting as well .