Suby-conversion advice?

[73notch]

ive been to outback's shop, they have a really awesome setup. They have alot of bits that are useful in the conversion. They told me about a conversion they were paid to do for a customer, in a bug.

They are a great supply for all the little bits for these engines.

[Axl]

Hey , I was in another thread on transaxles , and came across some posts that raised some questions that maybe some one out there can answer . I saw a 2.5L SOHC turbo engine in a bug , and was curious about the HP difference from the 2.0L DOHC turbo engine . How hard is it to bump up HP and still have a strong , reliable engine ? I would like to approach the 400HP mark and still be fairly reliable , or am I just living in a fantasy world with that ? This car is going to be more or less a streeter , with some time at the strip (if my wife will let me!) , so is it better to keep closer to stock HP outout ? Am I asking too many stupid questions ? Enquiring minds want to know! Axl .
Any and all help is appreciated!

[73notch]

KISS-"keep it simple stupid"
when doing a conversion like this, which is pretty involved, i would recommend getting the stock engine to work first. When u finally get over over 200 hp in ur bug, you can always upgrade later. Im sure youll be happy with the stock power, its not like a vw motor, it pulls hard though every gear. After doing the conversion, i doubt ill ever do a turbo upgrade, 200 hp is already plenty for a street car. 400hp almost seems ridiculous, but itll be fun if you can control it on the street.

-Ryan

[Rob]

As to the HP out put of the motors: the USDM 2.0 WRX puts out 227 HP.
When you are talking about the 2.5 turbo, I assume you are talking about an USDM STi motor ? That's 300 HP.
If you are talking about the '06 2.5L WRX motor, that one puts out 230 HP. (But I'd be surprised if you already got your hands on one of those )

You want 400HP ? Have you ever driven a high powered car (or bug).
I'm not saying I have, but before you aim for goals like that, I'd say give it a try first. You might find that a 227HP motor is plenty.

Like Ryan (73Notch) says, keep it simple, you can always upgrade later.

-sorry for the long post

Rob.

[Axl]

I have driven some pretty fast , high HP cars before (some of the new chevys at the dealership where I work are putting out over 300 HP easily) .Yah , I may be dreaming with 400HP , but I figure , what the hell , lets dream a little . I always wanted a car that would blow away anything on the streets . I kinda figured I would have to scale back once I figured out all the logistics , but you gotta start somewhere .

[73notch]

im sure all the chevys there weigh double or more than your bug too.

[Axl]

True enough! But they are still a blast to drive (especially the 404HP Sierra pickup I had in the shop the other day!)

[Oval]

Originally Posted by 73notch

KISS-"keep it simple stupid"
when doing a conversion like this, which is pretty involved, i would recommend getting the stock engine to work first. When u finally get over over 200 hp in ur bug, you can always upgrade later. Im sure youll be happy with the stock power, its not like a vw motor, it pulls hard though every gear. After doing the conversion, i doubt ill ever do a turbo upgrade, 200 hp is already plenty for a street car. 400hp almost seems ridiculous, but itll be fun if you can control it on the street.

-Ryan

After being involved in an EJ20T (Subaru WRX) transplant into a Type 3, '73 Notch's 'KISS' advice is teh best words of wisdom of this whole thread

Stock engine
stock turbo
stock management system (with wiring modified to suit VW) and DO NOT turn up the boost
Stock exhaust (as far as practical)

DO NOT allow yourself to be talked into/sold super-hottie turbos and aftermarket management systems and all the rice-racer ********e. It all increases cost and complexity for no real gain on the street. The factory 160kW (220hp) is more than enough to make you grin

Oh, and you better get to know a gearbox mechanic...

[73notch]

Exactly, and whos to say you cant do all that down the line later?
The biggest problem ive ran into with projects is that i try to accomplish too much at one time and get stuck on details. You wont get anything done this way because theres always something that can be done at the same time and is holding you up from doing the next step.

-Ryan

[Mikey]

I have a question about my Subaru crank pully. I have my EDIS 36-1 tooth wheel on it. I believe the missing tooth goes on the TDC. I can't find the EDIS page right this second.

Where is TDC on a Subaru pully? I'm going to mount the sensor with adjustment, it won't have to be 100% perfect. I just need in the ball park.

I can't take any pics. My camera isn't working very well these days.

Thanks,

[73notch]

the old screwdriver down the sparkplug hole on #1 always works. Im pretty sure theres a notch in the pully that lines up with one of the degree marks on the plastic timing belt cover, do the sparkplug hole trick and see where it lines up.

[Steve C]

Originally Posted by Oval

After being involved in an EJ20T (Subaru WRX) transplant into a Type 3, '73 Notch's 'KISS' advice is teh best words of wisdom of this whole thread

Stock engine
stock turbo
stock management system (with wiring modified to suit VW) and DO NOT turn up the boost
Stock exhaust (as far as practical)

DO NOT allow yourself to be talked into/sold super-hottie turbos and aftermarket management systems and all the rice-racer ********e. It all increases cost and complexity for no real gain on the street. The factory 160kW (220hp) is more than enough to make you grin

Oh, and you better get to know a gearbox mechanic...

Hi

Very good advice. I'm going to try to run mine with the stock ECU but I'm not sure how it will react to a different exhaust and intercooler. An ECU upgrade will come down the track after the car is running.

Steve

[jakriz]

Originally Posted by Oval

After being involved in an EJ20T (Subaru WRX) transplant into a Type 3, '73 Notch's 'KISS' advice is teh best words of wisdom of this whole thread

Stock engine
stock turbo
stock management system (with wiring modified to suit VW) and DO NOT turn up the boost
Stock exhaust (as far as practical)

DO NOT allow yourself to be talked into/sold super-hottie turbos and aftermarket management systems and all the rice-racer ********e. It all increases cost and complexity for no real gain on the street. The factory 160kW (220hp) is more than enough to make you grin

Oh, and you better get to know a gearbox mechanic...

That is excellent advice Glen. But are u able to tell me why the conversion u were involved with has had an aftermarket ecu now for over a year as the stock management system with wiring to suit the vw was uanble to work reliably?
I'm surprised the owner isn't bald from tearing his hair out.
Eventually the owner had an aftermarket ecu installed, tuned (240hp@ the wheels on only 13 pounds boost) & has been running since.
Incidently it's the same aftermarket ecu that I'm using http://www.microtech-efi.com/ mine was installed in October 2004, it spent a whole 2 hours on the dyno & hasn't been touched since. 89'000klms (55'300mls) later & it's still going. Daily driven & flogged on the track, over 200hp @ the wheels on only 8 pounds boost, 38+ mpg.
Did I just get lucky with an aftermarket ECU?