EJ20 into a Vee Dub..???

L-Raiser · Post by **L-Raiser** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:53 am

Has anyone had any experience with this engine modification...?????

That is....replacing a VW Beetle's engine with Subaru boxer engine....ie EJ20.

I know it can be done, Ive heard rumours over here in WA of a guy that used to specialise in this engine upgrade for Vee Dubs....but I could not locate him.

My girlfriend dearly wants a Vee Dub Convertable and I figured a Bug with an EJ behind it would be half a decent ride. Personally I dont like em, buts she is adamant. hehe

Im guessing that the Cooling System would be the hardest challenge....

L-Raiser

BlackMale · Post by **BlackMale** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:07 am

Karen, I do not know much however 1 of the fella’s your looking for is located in Balcatta. Subaru and VW or (VW and Subaru) Mechanics, I know he has thrown a EJ20T in a VW before.

daveosubi · Post by **daveosubi** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:40 am

My brother used to use this forum when he had his bug. Would have all the info you need.
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewforum.php?fid=59

I like the old bugs but not the convertables that arent from factory, they can be pretty messy and poorly sealed, and I think the handling would be pretty bad too.

A kombie motor is probably a easier option for a upgrade

And check this out if you havent seen it already http://www.offroadvw.net/ not really on topic but the best baja i've seen on the net.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:11 pm

Check out This EJ20 powered kombi on ebay.
The cooling on this is under the car, i'd love to see the setup they have there... Would be a good unit to cruise in..

Cheers

Bennie

L-Raiser · Post by **L-Raiser** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:10 pm

Check this site out....an EJ20G powered VeeDub!!

http://www.offroadvw.net/vwrx/index.html

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:38 pm

go the 4cam klze

i had one in my old mx6 they go hard

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:16 pm

Seagull on this forum is a Perth expert in the field. Many of his mates have done this to the Combi's and other VW's.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:30 pm

vwrx.com

also pm "brad" he does them for a living

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:58 pm

Done EJ into VW before but only the Kombi and Caravelle models. With the Kombi the radiator can be mounted inthe engine bay or up front layed over forwards but you will need an external water pump to make the distance. You need a new flywheel and an adaptor as well. I used to get them from a guy on the Gold Coast Qld but for the life of me cant remember his name. There was also a guy in Penrith doing them as well somewhere near the leagues club. Another bonus of the EJ conversion is you get a decent electrical charging system. If you start with an aircooled version and do the Ej conversion you can install a heater demister and AC should you wish and still have more power than the old motor.

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:40 pm

I made the mistake of trying to drag a VW beetle once.... got snowed... it had an ej20T in it. Not happy.

Dave

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:30 pm

Find yourself a factory convertible,they are a proper convertible,the roof is a work of art.
With subaru power you will probably need a stonger gearbox.
Go for the later model with irs and front discs,12v etc...

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:17 am

L box is fine with an ej20

turbo is another thing

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:09 am

SuBaRiNo wrote:I made the mistake of trying to drag a VW beetle once.... got snowed... it had an ej20T in it. Not happy.

"I'm Vely Vely sneaky, sir"... Hehehe... gotta love sleepers

chriSTIan wrote:With subaru power you will probably need a stonger gearbox.

Dunno about this. Dad ran a 13B rotary behind a VW box with no problems from the box...

I reckon you could fit a Fwd subi gearbox in there, only problem being wether or not the subi gearbox has the ability to turn the diff upside down (or back to front) - so it will run 1st to 5th "in reverse" of factory setting...

Cheers

Bennie

daveosubi · Post by **daveosubi** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:19 am

Alot of the baja's use kombi boxes, there stronger and have lower ratios, but if the one you get ain't broke......

The superbug's are best the on road for handling and stopping, you can tell them by the larger windscreen

Whatever you do dont get one with a porcshe bodykit and torana tail lights, they make people sick.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VW-CONVERTIBLE-W ... dZViewItem

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:21 am

Pretty sure u can do that reverse conversion to a FWD suby box, I've heard of some VW guys in WA hunting for those gearboxes.

gx_rex · Post by **gx_rex** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:33 pm

AndrewT wrote:Pretty sure u can do that reverse conversion to a FWD suby box, I've heard of some VW guys in WA hunting for those gearboxes.

Really?? I wonder how hard that would be to do. Could be an easy way to get my buggy going.

stamp_licker · Post by **stamp_licker** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:46 pm

Suby Wan Kenobi wrote: You need a new flywheel and an adaptor as well. I used to get them from a guy on the Gold Coast Qld but for the life of me cant remember his name.

Could it be John Sherman.

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:32 pm

Now that name rings a bell.

INEEDABEER · Post by **INEEDABEER** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:00 am

Mike Collins has done some before.