1983 Aircooled Vanagon Subaru JDM 2.5 Conversion Tour

[@craigmonteforte1478]

Conversion looks and sounds great ! for some reason the Subie 2.5 engine exhaust note is one of my all time favorites ! and i’ve always been a big fan of Aircooled VWs !

[@ABC-wr2yu]

So great to see you back on KZbin Mick. Wilbur is doing great here in Santa Fe.

[@Busaru]

Dude! I’ve been meaning to send you a shirt! I’ll be in touch.

[@tonecraft8224]

Looking good Mick! I’m about 85% done on my westy with the sti motor. I’ll send you more pics

[@Busaru]

That is going to be so insane in a Van - can’t wait to see it.

[@Jmp5nb]

Sweet, nice you used so many stick connectors.

[@Beachmangarage]

Awesome conversion Mick. My 78 bus has your TBR and engine bar and still going strong 👍

[@Busaru]

Thanks, and great to hear your conversion cruising around.

[@DoogieLabs]

Very nice! I've put 60K on my Eg33 swapped bus. They are a blast with Subaru motors

[@Busaru]

The EG33 is such a great engine. Enjoy your travels!

[@KA4UPW]

Cant wait until I'm next in you line for my conversion.

[@Busaru]

Hey James, I’m getting back to my waitlist folks now. This was my last conversion for a while. I’m shifting gears in another direction - need to keep up with all the wiring harnesses and parts manufacturing.

[@Finne72]

Very clean, very nice, well done!

[@bammbamm1961]

at about 3:45 you mention "dash board heater core" can you outline that a bit more on how to transition to a water based heater core in place of typical air-cooled unit?

[@MrBLUEDEVILUK]

Mick, love your videos. One day I’ll own my own early bay with a 2.5L

[@Busaru]

You’ll love it.

[@VelocityLabs]

Gorgeous work!

[@Busaru]

Thanks man!

[@mrcrabass3669]

Nice work ,looking forward to more,thank you

[@GabodaMan14]

I'd love to see a technical video on the air conditioning system. I've got an '82 EJ22 without A/C. I've debated on getting the SmallCar setup, but haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

[@Busaru]

Hey Austin, in this case I just took the original connections and extended them to the Subaru compressor. I’m not an AC expert but next time I work with AC I’ll do a video.

[@vw5085]

Nice work amigo!! Looking forward. To sending you my harness. For the single cam Forester. Into my bug

[@Busaru]

Thanks man, I’ll keep an eye out for it.

[@Kb-yu9mb]

Sounds beautiful

[@stephenrogers9664]

Well done, & it just looks so nice

[@rayanesoto1054]

Super clean setup!

[@Busaru]

Thank you!

[@monjury]

That's sweet dude. Very nice work!

[@PostFamilyPilgrimage]

Wow looks awesome! Well done!

[@knoptop]

Great overview! I'm just now getting into this VW world and I'm thinking about making a conversion like this for my 82' air-cooled tin top Vanagon. Do you think it's worth this kind of investment to a van that isn't a camper?

[@SVsAuto]

Nice work! Good clean install 👍👌

[@Busaru]

Thanks man!

[@melbournecrosbie]

Understated. But wonderful.

[@martinvaldepena48]

Nice work Mick you built me a obd 2 harness I think it was from 1995 Subaru .what would it take for me to use Dbw Set up do I need to replace harness an ecu. Nice work

[@bammbamm1961]

have you found a need to cut the 2nd lower vents to aid in air flow over the radiator

[@williamroman531]

Beautiful Job !😊

[@fosspower]

Nice job, how about the gearbox.

[@deesgarage659]

We’re you able to use the aircooled vanagon trans? I’m planning on doing this swap to my 82’. Can’t seem to find the answer

[@NickMaiorsky]

Long time no vid. Great work ! Could you make a video about the KEP heat-shield.

[@Busaru]

The heat shield in this video is just 16 gauge bent at a 90 on a brake. The KEP heat shield uses a mixture of the stock Watercooled Vanagon shield and a piece of flat 16 gauge bolted together.

[@frederickhickson1975]

Excellent job bro 👊🏽

[@mestasmail]

Sick work

[@facelesssman]

Are you taking on new conversions? You do great work, and I’d love to have you sort mine out. I have a 1981 AC, and the stock engine is dying.

[@ashmuckinagarage8321]

Hi...great videos. Big question. I have installed a 2002 Subaru 2.5 and a rebuilt waterboxer automatic transmission into my '83 air cooled Vanagon. The shift selector cable is to short too reach the mounting point. Have you run into this or can you point me in the right direction

[@MostynFaulkner]

Thanks for your new video.😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@our1981vanagonproject]

Hi. I have an 1981 vanagon (air cooled) and I was looking into the same engine swap. How's the swap currently performing?

[@larrychurchwell9654]

any wiring details for drive by wire how to i have an 2009 2.5 with the subaru 5 speed i have all wiring out of the 2009 with the 58 pin connection any help at all will help

[@kenny609]

Nice work! I noticed in the front of the engine bay a section is missing. Is it necessary to cut that section out to fit the air intake piping?

[@Busaru]

I used 2 3/4" intake tubing and the aircooled Vanagon engines sit a little more forward in the bay than the water cooled. You may need to clearance if you want to use large diameter plenums.

[@DJSemEvents]

Love it !!!! how much something like this cost?

[@cookiemonster5231]

I’m currently doing a swap on my van with a jdm 2.5 and I’m on the fence about swapping the intake from a us spec engine on. Do you have any trouble finding parts for the jdm engine when things break?

[@michaelswanson1471]

Awesome 👍!!!

[@meredithcooke3351]

How much did this conversion cost?

[@donnelleeustache4549]

Can you fit a porche flat 6 in it??

[@mariodelatorre7060]

So the conversion parts used for the ej25 can be used for the ej20 jdm?

[@terrystlouis614]

I’m next in line

[@rickolson9011]

Very well done!

[@Busaru]

Thanks Rick

[@lukasgarage956]

Way cool

[@paulallen3031]

Bit concerning you don't fit a new fuel pump when you do these swaps😮

So awesome.

[@TheReinoPaasonen]

Does it use subaru transmission?

[@nomanslife]

I have an air cooled Westy. Wonder, if this will be street legal in Germany... Did you use the water cooled T3 Bus heater to swap it for the air cooled setup?

[@Busaru]

I have no idea on the legality of engine conversions in Germany. I swapped a watercooled heater box into the dash to replace the aircooled version.

[@Archie5585]

What About the transmission ? did you keep the original 4 speed of swapped it with a JDM SUbaru one ? did it need an Adaptor Plate ?

[@Busaru]

Used the stock transmission with a KEP adapter plate.

[@paulnielsen3256]

Fuel economy? Top speed?

[@DJSemEvents]

I have an 82 i just did an engine and everything else rebuilt but power is very low, may go this direction too.. how much was the converstion and how are you liking it?

[@DanTheManIOM]

Did you see Mick's note ? 4-5K in parts. I had a bet I could do it for 3K (free labor), and lost the bet...it all adds up...and after I lost the bet, I went back and redid things "better" or added more to the scope of work. In hindsight, I did the harness because I wanted to, and was being cheap, I should have sent it to Mick. I'd be driving now....."anything that saves me time or work, is a good idea".... do it once, do it right.... there's another video series and the guy has a running total, ka ching, ka ching, ka ching...I think he hit 10-15K ?? I bought mine non-running, got it running, it sucked. I put a used, rebuilt engine, that was better, but it still sucked...now, the EJ25 awaits its awakening...new head gaskets, timing belt, gasket set, valve removal tool, glass table, sandpaper, water pump, power steering pump, ss exhaust manifold, coolant lines, radiator, hoses, clamps, lubricants, drill bits, etc...and I know there's still a lot more to do.....Good luck

[@GreaseBallGarage]

How long did that take....what was you talking about shortening? Very cool innovated ride

[@Busaru]

I was juggling quite a few projects and aspects of the Busaru business so it took a few months but the fastest I've done a Vanagon swap is 7 days of concentrated work. Shortening of the oil pan is optional but a good idea.

[@abdontipan]

What are you using for the gearbox? The 4 speed stock one?

[@DanTheManIOM]

KEP - Kennedy, if he used Kenndy, there is an adapter plate to stock vw transaxle. Good luck on your build

[@berriegoagoseb3406]

I m having a 4y engine in my Kombi I need help please it is overheating and I m driving lond distance

[@raychambers3646]

Does extending drive wires have any repercussions?

[@Busaru]

Yes, if you use speaker wire it’s going to be a problem. There is one shielded wire - you have to use good shielded wire for that sensitive signal wire and use large gauge for the rest.

[@garygarst]

Is it possible to place a DOHC 2.5 liter subaru engine in a vanagon and is the same as the single overhead cam enginies?

[@Busaru]

The DOHC get a bad rap but I like them. They have a little less horsepower and are a little trickier when setting up the timing belt but they fit the same.

[@garygarst]

@@Busaru Thank you. I love your work and your videos.

[@lawrencefox563]

Why isn't Subaru looking at this market.

[@edwinrivera5155]

I want one 4x4 3" to 6" lift, with 33" on it..

[@Busaru]

That would be quite a sight!

[@johnbeckman8916]

WOW! That looks like a vehicle capable of LOTS of fun!

[@Busaru]

It should give him a lot of life.

[@michaelswanson1471]

Wait, where is the power steering reservior?

[@Busaru]

No power steering on these older Vans.

[@GabodaMan14]

I've got an '82 that came from the factory without power steering. After putting 225/65/16 Nokians on, it was about impossible to perform parking lot manoeuvring. Hydraulic steering was going to be pricey, but doable. However, hydraulic steering is fairly outdated technology. I ended up taking the electric steering column from a second generation Prius, and incorporated it to the VW column. It took a week of playing around with quite a few measurements, cutting, machining, welding, test fitting, re-doing a few things again, but I eventually got everything squared away. I love it! The motor is silent, consistent, reliable, modern, etc. Best part was that I only had $200 into it

[@DanTheManIOM]

In the UK, I have heard people talk about electric power steering ?? My 99 had intergral reservoir, the RS did too, but the WRX had a remote power steering tank. I replaced the 99 legacy pump (leaking), new hoses from bus depot (easy, drop the gas tank), and adapters (see theSamba for the adapater and hose)- good luck wiht your build

[@davidbasurto9024]

Hi there can you send me a serpentine belt number without power steering pump Subaru engine 2.5 and catalytic converter muffler I need to buy those but I don’t know numbers are those thank you appreciate it

[@TheSaltLakers]

What was your total cost for parts down to the nuts and bolts?

[@Busaru]

Hmmm, it was 4-5k for parts.

[@type2523]

What a shame ,it's not longer an aircooled!

[@michaelconverse5127]

I had my Bus converted. As much as like like air cooled vws, there’s no way I’d go back. There are no disadvantages. None.

[@spalding3254]

This particular VW had serious engine issues could not do a 100 miles w/o overheating

[@type2523]

Anthony Noonan just repair tin or blowing fan or clean the fins

[@mikepaquin6374]

well subarus have a very volkswagenish sound so its ironic that a Subaru engine is used in avw

[@nickzander11030]

Has anyone ever used one of those small Honda radiators and mounted them in the back? Also, if I don’t want heat, or AC, or anything fancy, just the swap. What am I looking at for cost?