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Tom and I have reviewed member’s requests as related to broadening the forum topic scope. We’ve decided against allowing topics which are thoroughly discussed in other forums (tires, brakes, suspension). Please review the guidelines set forth below. Off topic messages will be removed from the group and, where possible, the author notified. Allowed: Performance & Maintenance of the Subaru Engine (JDM or USDM) and Drivetrain of Subied Vanagons. Components that are NECESSARY to run the engine and deliver it’s power to the ground. Off Topic: - CV joints, brakes, tires*, wheels - HVAC (heater, air conditioning) - Instrument cluster mods/upgrades** - Inverters, batteries, lighting - Any general Vanagon upgrades Not Allowed: Flames, disparaging comments Topic highjacking (starting a new topic by replying to an existing, unrelated topic) Posts without identification of year/model of engine and vehicle Using forum messages to contact another forum user (use direct email) Bad Form: Replying to messages without trimming the previous thread. Posting a previously posted topic (search the archives please) *Tire diameter discussion is acceptable **Subaru instrument cluster where required by model of Suby Engine Thanks, Brent (co-moderator)

As per member requests I dhave added a database to allow members to enter the names, a short description, url link, and services offered checkbox. Find it here: /g/SubaruVanagon/table?id=41314 Feel free to reach out if you feel it's missing something. Enter new rows as you see fit! Best, Brent

Here are three links which I have found most useful so far: Please post your recommendations. http://www.kennedyeng.com/ http://www.cycoactive.com/Urabus/ http://www.mcn.org/b/roadcow/convert.html Warren C.

Warren, Thanks for taking the initiative and starting the new list! I think there are so many of us now that we could use a little support. I'm installing my engine now, in an '82 ex-diesel Westy. The engine is a '90 with about 40k. I have just bolted the trans mount to the body and am working on getting the engine support bolted up. This is a bit more involved install than some, because I'm going to mount Syncro underpinnings and drivetrain before I'm done with it. I have mounted the Syncro tank and new filler (oops, that's another list). Anyway, it's definitly a bit of a job, but I've got some experience, having put V6 Buicks in '78 and '80 campers, so this shouldn't be to bad. I think I'm going to put the computer inside the van, up under the closet, where it'll be out of the elements and a bit more accessable. Since I'm going Syncro, I'm putting the air intake on the right to take advantage of the snorkel on that side. The muffler on the donor Syncro was nearly new, so it will see service with the Legacy WBX. The clutch is a new LUK from Ron at BD. I had to cut out the battery tray that the diesels have in the engine room and move the battery to it's usual position under the passenger seat. I'm sure I'll find other changes to make before I'm done, and I'll post them as they occur. I can't wait to see how many Subygons there are around, since many of us had to wait for parts because of the backlog. I'm sure many will be from California. Larry Park City, UT

Just another plug for the importance of Kennedy's recommendation for making the extra effort to get all the items from the same Subaru. I found that a lot of wrecking yards have already pulled the engine and have them on the shelf, probably with several others. I got mine from a highly regarded yard who specializes in these conversions, Subaru-Suzuki Recyclers in Rancho Cordova, CA ($1250 complete) (they will even do the swap for you for $5500). They claim to know everything about this converson, but they sent me a '92 engine and a 90 harness. Took me several days of noodling and looking at Kennedy's diagram to figure it out and another two weeks to send it back and get the correct one. To their credit, however, they were very cooperative and exchanged with no questions asked. Warren

HELP?? Seeking tips and recommendations for modifying Kennedy's air intake to mate with the special intake ducts of the Syncro which have a closed system on the passenger side which extends up into the passenger side rear air intake (for wading rivers). Kennedy's kit has an air intake that bends to the drivers side and draws air through its own customized filter but still inside the engine compartment. I like the Syncro ducting better, not only to avoid water in wading rivers but it draws air outside of the engine bay (hopefully colder/denser)air, i.e more power. Warren

For those with Syncros. First step in dropping the waterboxe is to remove the special Syncro skid rails. I ended up removing them all, front to back, but realized this is not necessary. The rear rails have two bolts at the mounting point just in front of the tranny. One of these bolts supports the front rail but you can remove it and then re-install it, thereby leaving the front rails in place. Warren

This might save you some time. Took me a couple of hours of frustration to figure out. I got everything disconnected, engine to tranny bolts,wiring, splash plates, motor mounts, etc., but COULDN'T GET THE ENGINE TO SEPARATE FROM THE TRANNY. Just wouldn't budge, even using pry-bar. Discovered that the exhaust system (which I thought was bolted only to the engine) has one flange which bolts just behind the bellhousing. Once this nut was removed, the engine separated with little effort. Warren

Enough of my rambling for now. Hope to hear from others in coming days. I'll turn my attention back to the mess on my dining room table. Let's see: BY-keep RG-cut (SHIT!) It'll be a miracle if this thing runs. There's got to be someone out there who would love a little business making these harnesses. Kennedy says he's selling three kits a week. Anyone interested? Warren

The wiring lengths are different from Kennedy's diagram if you want to mount the ECU inside the van under the Westy cabinet. I have a wiring diagram that I obtained from a friend who has completed two Subaru conversions which shows the appropriate wiring lengths from the ECU to the various connections if its mounted in this location. I will try to scan it but I'm not too savy as to where to store the scanned images so they could be avialable to this list. Any tips on this will be helpful. Otherwise email me and I will snail mail you a copy. Warren

Now that I'm "FARFRUMLEAKIN". What do I do with this Wasserboxer with rod through the block. It was an almost new rebuild (why did it blow??)with new heads. Anyone else find any value in the various engine parts?? I asked a couple of Vanagon mechanics who weren't interested. Seems that recently someone sold some heads only on ebay. ?????? Warren

Just joining the group and glad to be here. I bought my '84 Westy about a month ago. The PO had run the engine without oil (forgot to replace drain plug). So the engine is really dead needing new heads, block, etc. I first saw this conversion stuff at Roadcow's site (great info) and started lookin for a van that same day. Luck was with me as I found my van the very next day. I'm now lookin for a '90-'94 2.2 Subaru for the KEP swap. I've called some junk yards, but would rather find a complete car and remove the parts myself. So if anyone knows of an engine/car in Florida let me know. I plan to drop the old wasserbower this weekend being careful to label all the wires, etc. Mike Barfield '84 Westy Tampa, FL

Marshall Ruskin asked why we don't just use the required plugs to create a new harness rather than hassling with the spaghetti mess. I too have thought about this and think its worth considering. However, as a novice, not too familiar with idendifying the right plugs, I must admit that having to trace the wires from the computer to the plug is helping me to identify the correct plugs. On my first try at identifying the plugs from Kennedy's drawing I made a couple of mistakes which I corrected as I starting snipping and removing wires. The ideal situation would be to have a source for harnesses made to order. Problem is, I don't think the plugs are standardized for all years from 90-94. (Kennedy has investigated this some but says he has not been able to find a supplier of the various plugs.) I was shipped the wrong harness from a 90 with my 92 engine and the plugs were different. Harnesses to order would involve a fair bit of research by a willing vendor. (Not yet on the scene.) There is a company in Southern California who specializes in high performance Subaru engines for sandrails, (Leading Edge Performance). They have some VERY EXCITING performance mods for 2.2L and 2.5L engines but not CA smog legal. They make their own wiring harnesses but so far only have them for the 2.5L which has a single plug at the computer instead of the four yellow ones (90-94). I've been talking with them making one for my '92 but they're not sure they want to do it. They charge $400 for their 2.5L harness...a bit pricey but, for some, worth the time savings. Warren

I haven't yet been able to bring myself to cut the Digifant wiring out of my van yet. Firstly, I haven't been certain exactly what to cut out and a little afraid I'll make a mistake and cut the wrong thing. I decided I should complete the Subaru harness first to get a better understanding of what connections must remain. That has proved to be the right decision. After living with the Subaru wires and Kennedy's diagram for a week, I'm getting a better understanding of what to look for in the vanagon harness to keep. Secondly I'm not sure how to get the section out that's connected to the Digifant ECU (inside the van under the passenger seat). It is routed through mysterious and incaccessible places through the body and frame before appearing in the engine bay. I've even considered taping it up the Digifant harness real tidy like and leaving it in the van, out of the way, just in case some day in the future someone wants to return the van to Wasserboxer status. Why?? Don't know. But someday, after I'm long gone someone may want a purely VW Syncro Westy. ?????? What did you do Larry? Sure would like to hear some other comments from veterans. Warren

Warren, I've noticed that, unlike the Vanagon list, that the message header on this list includes a "reply to" address that IS the list. That makes pmialing the sender a bit more difficult. Can this be changed, or is there hidden benefits to this setup? Larry

Marshall: Regarding availability of parts in Canada (I assume you're talking about the Subaru engine and related parts). I spoke to at least a half dozen wrecking yards who were all willing to ship the parts to you. that said........ in my opinion, its still better to see the car the parts are coming from. Thats the only way to verify the actual mileage and to insure the parts all match. I didn't think the labor of pulling it myself is worth the savings. The yards have cheap labor that do that type of thing every day. it would have taken me a lot longer than their help, I'm sure and I found my time to be more expensive. Good luck. Stay tuned. Warren

Started late today removing the dead wasserboxer from the van. It's real easy to do when you know that the engine your removing is worthless. Anything that won't be used in the conversion can be broken in order to remove it. Got a far as unbolting the engine from the trany.Still looking for a Subaru engine. I found a source (junk yard) and will be getting a price this week. I'll start taking pictures so I can post them to a web site, etc. Mike Barfield '84 Westy Tampa, FL

Hiya fellow Subagonites?: I have seen said conversion done, and it looks pretty good. The one I saw had a cooling system that seemed cobbled together, and the harness was not quite as pretty as I would have liked. How well it ran I don't know - as it was still being worked on. I do know that there is a problem setting up the timing with these engines - and it requires knowing the correct mark - which is not the mark on the pulley. My pal had to go to a Subaru shop, and they explained the trick - I don't personally know it. As we all know, there is difficulty with the wiring harness fabrication - my pal who did the conv used the wiring diagram - which contained at least one proven error. Now that the preliminaries are out of the way - here's my thought: How about just using the connectors on the harness, and fabricating a new harness from scratch? To me, it sure looks easier and faster than tracing leads in a squashed spider web! The only caveat is, are all the 2.2 litre installations using the same ecu and components? If they are, it sure makes life easier. If not, the thing to do is to try and gather information on the various FI/engine managements systems. With that information, we potentially could: 1. work out the details for doing different installations, or; 2. work to a common standard, encorporating the potentially different systems into a " flexible harness" design; 3. Hopefully, all the 2.2 litre systems could be made the same, and there will be no need to create several harness designs. What do you think? Marshall Ruskin Winnipeg, Canada 84 Westy "Iron Igloo"

Hello, I have a 18985 Westy with a Subaru 2.2L. It was a very satisfying project. I put up a website back in Nov '99 detailing the conversion as best I could. I continiue to add to it from time to time. It's on http://www.cycoactive.com/urabus I wish you all luck in your conversions. It makes a greaat car even better. Best of all, not to mention the performance gain, is that if you want to leave on a trip, you can just go. No more pre-maintenance. Tom -- +------------------------------------+ | CycoActive Products tel (206) 323-2349 | 701 34th Ave fax (206) 325-6016 | Seattle, WA 98122 USA | webpage: http://www.cycoactive.com | e-mail: TomMyers@... +------------------------------------+

Greetings, Great list idea. I've got a 1.9l Westy that I'm dying to Subarize. First I've got this brand new rebuilt Wasserbox to sell. Gotta finance the Subaru purchase. I'll read with interest until then. Drew Bedford 83.5 Westy Park City, UT