To Subaru or not to Subaru?

**Vanders** · 04-03-2007, 09:08 PM

I'm after some opinions and advice. The wasserboxer in my Caravelle is giving me the yips. Leaking oil, billowing smoke at various times for no apparant reason, blowing water hoses, no power. My wife thinks I've bought a dud as every time it gets driven something goes wrong. For the first time ever I'm going to get roadside assistance as I'M worried it won't last the shortest trip.

Apart from the donk its in good nick and the body is really good.

I may be able to line up an EJ22 Subaru motor and bits. I've read all the stuff about performance gain and reliability etc. What I want to know is:

a) was it difficult?
b) was it expensive?
c) was it worth it - should I just get the existing motor fixed?

I'm fairly mechanically competent, and the old man restores vintage tin for a hobby, but stuff like the wiring and sensors worry me. How many out there have done Subaru conversions? Did they find this stuff difficult?

Cheers,

Paul

**Seano** · 05-03-2007, 10:12 AM

Personally, I'd look to a rebuild first off. If that looks expensive then perhaps a complete swap might be worth a look (even with all the administrative hassle).

**GoLfMan** · 05-03-2007, 01:52 PM

the forum to ask that question, and youll get alot of more experience in such a topis is aussieveedubbers.com!!!
yeh wak in a ej22, better still a WRx motor give it some realy performance

**WEDEL.1** · 05-03-2007, 04:16 PM

A Golf 4 cylinder would be just as good, without overpowering the T3. Used to be a conversion kit available a few years ago.

What does your Insurance company think about substituting a 55Kw motor with a 200KW?

Will you need to upgrade the suspension, brakes, tyres, transmission? Will this solve one problem and cause others?

Personally, I'd get the VW motor fixed. Couldn't own a VW without a VW engine.

Just my point of view.

Maris

brackie · 05-03-2007, 04:41 PM

Sounds like you have head gasket problems. They may not be as difficult to fix as you think, or as expensive. The VW motor is a very sound unit that should outlast any Subaru if it's well maintained. I'd fix it.