On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 6:31 AM, Ken
<unclekenz@yahoo.com> wrote:
BenT,
Just curious, these are rough figures but would you pay say $US4000 for
a WBX rebuild
That's about right. I pay about $2500 only because I have a special relationship with the shop owner.
He charges $3500-$4500 or so including installation & fluids, etc. Carry-out is about $600 less.
and would you pay say$US6500 for a supplied and fitted
Subaru 2.5? If not, what price for both options over there? .... just
ballpark amounts I mean.
Turnkey install would cost you closer to $10K. DIY is closer to $4K.
> Over here, unlike USA, I reckon it would be pretty difficult trying to
> come up with a shortlist of syncro specialist engine transplanters say
> in my own region and from that list, actually be prepared to entrust one
> of them with a Subaru engine transplant project anyway. I mean,
> relatively speaking, so few Subaru motor transplants would be done
> throughout all of Australia, no single transplanter could develop an
> efficient drop-in complete package system such that his reputation would
> stand out from the rest and be noticed. Better here to stay with the WBX
> motor except for the DIYers who have the mechanical aptitude to tackle a
> transplant themselves and maybe save some dollars on the labour side and
> learn a lot along the way.
Ken, even here professional converters are on a shortlist. Hundreds of DIY conversions but
few shops like to do a full-on swap unless they were doing it for their regullar customer.
> If he had the time, I'm sure Peter would make a success of a Subaru
> conversion himself. But at what cost and what additional problems will
> arise as a result that wouldn't arise if he'd stayed with the WBX? I
> mean people bag the WBX motor, but others bag the Subaru motors too.
Low ground clearance comes to mind. As Al Trease has ponited out, the 2..5's had gasket
failures as well. You also get a timing belt to maintain which the WBX does not. The one thing
people overlook is a good transmission cooler if you are using an automatic transmission. The
extra power causes so much more heat in the transaxle that some seals can melt. Happened
a few times in my 2.2EJT powered auto before my ownership. A nicce oil cooler took care of
the seal failures between the transmission and final drive.
> I tend to think the components of the stock syncro are a pretty happy
> marriage in terms of design, balance and durability, all things being
> equal. Shown some respect and a touch of TLC, they serve us well and
> stand the test of time.
I agree. Excessive HP can destroy a lot of other components unless you "pre-load" on
acceleration. But then why have all that power if you can't use it?=)
> Unlike many in the USA, I'm quite content with my relatively stock WBX
> syncro camper. I prefer not to speed nor be in a hurry to get from A to
> B. That way, speed cameras aren't a concern, I get to see the scenery
> better, it's more relaxing, I'm rarely stuck behind other vehicles
> because I let them pass and they shoot ahead , better fuel economy, less
> stress and strain on the mechanicals, stay off the brakes as much as
> possible. Engage 4WD rarely and only when I choose to on giving
> surfaces. Less wear and tear on the drivetrain. Can run a mix of worn
> tyres, unlike those with working VC's. All I want for Xmas (and it's NOT
> going to happen) is to get my A/C working properly!
Well, if you are running a mix of worn tyres, I hope you are using a decoupler (solid shaft?)
If not then that is why your VC is no longer working. Keep in mind we have to drive hundres
of miles often just to get to that nice campground. That would be a challenge in a vehicle which
can't up with traffic. In places like Southern California, the cruising spped of 65mph-70mph of
a stock 2.1 equipped Wasserboser will make you fee like you are standing still.
> Subaru transplant, raised suspension, 16" wheels and arches, mods mods
> mods ad nauseum, a goldmine to pay for it all? No thank you .. not here
> BenT.
>
> Like I said to you once before ..... for most Aussie syncros and we
> prefer it .... K.I.S.S. eh.
Ken, "Variety is the spice of life." as they say. There are a greater number of Syncro owners
in the US who subscribe the KISS principle. The Syncro owners you find online in the US are
often those enthusiastic about their vehicles. It's not an accurate snapshot of the Syncro owner
population in US. For every modified Syncro I've seen, there'sprobably another 20 or which are
completely unmodified.
>
> Ken,
>
> California is no better than OZ when it comes to the Bostiq engine
> conversion. Thus far, out very restrictive California Air Resources
Board
> has not approved of the conversion. The few floating around here are
owned
> by folks who live outside the biennial emissions inspections. What
they
> don't see, they can approve or disapprove. =) Besides, the Bostiq is
quite
> expensive compared to the Subies. IIRC the kit is around US$4500 not
> including the engine. Engines are inexpensive at about $600 for a good
used
> one. Ground clearance seems to be an issue as well.
>
> As for Subaru, I have seen dozens in various shapes and sizes. The
innovator
> of the Subie swap, KEP is a few hundred miles away from me. They have
been
> churning out adapters for swapping various engines into VW's for
decades. I
> have the 2.2EJT on one of my T3's. Unfortunately, the location of the
turbo
> makes this engine difficult to adapt to the Syncros. You are better
off with
> the 2.5 as HP is close to this early turbo engine anyway. The
replacement
> bellhousing sold by Richard Jones in the UK is the better way to hang
this
> engine in the T3 but the KEP adapters work just as well.
>
> It's a shame that Peter is so far away. I have a complete spare engine
from
> a 1991 Syncro ready to bolt on. Shipping will probably cost as much
the
> engine.
>
> He could also stick a VW inline-4 in there at 50° with readily
sourced parts
> from the diesel T3's. The downside is most engines will stick out
above the
> rear deck. The SA engine kits by Remtek(?) will fit but they are prone
to
> exhaust cracking and alternator bracket destruction. If rear deck
height is
> not an issue, you can put them in at 15° with adapters from KEP and
others.
> Power is not as good as the Subies unless you stick a 1.8T back there.
>
> None of these engines are w/o their inherent issues.
>
>
> BenT
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 1:52 AM, Ken unclekenz@... wrote:
>
> > Gday Peter and ALL,
> >
> > the zetec project link below details what we in Australia are
missing out
> > on in a terrific painless replacement motor for our syncros.
> >
> > ... the price we pay for living in paradise eh BenT ......
> >
> > goto:
> >
http://bostig.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=2
> >
> > Cheers.
> >
> > Ken
> >
> >
> > --- In
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Peter" kestel.p@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Sad day
> > > Was using oil & water with no obvious leaks. To busy to find out
why.
> > > Started making loud noise (like shaking steel can with loose nuts
&
> > > bolts inside) oil light & buzzer came on. Plenty of oil & water.
Made
> > > the request "come on old mate, get me home". It seized...
> > >
> > > Won't be able to make the Shallow Xing trip unless I can get a new
> > > engine.
> > >
> > > New engine required.
> > > What are the best choices for petrol these days? Subaru Forester
for
> > > example?
> > >
> > > Regards to all (sorry for not contributing much, am working away
from
> > > home now)
> > >
> > > Peter
> > >
> >
> >
>
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