First Start -- 1973 VW Super Beetle Subaru Swap

[@RatchetMotors]

Check out our next video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3jWkoCsZ5qloZo

[@nv1493]

I've always got time for someone that shares the frustrations of a diy build along the way. Been there done that too. Nice to hear it live!

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the kind words and I appreciate the support! Much more on the beetle coming very soon ;)

[@badbugprojectcar]

planning on suburu swapping my beetle as well so this was helpful, great content.

[@RatchetMotors]

Best of luck and thanks!

[@psavel274]

Good diag work and nice swap. MS is awesome. I remember the first version when it initially came out a long time ago. Minds were blown over how easy and cheap you can tune. DIYautotune is like a savior. So much great information on that site. Funny, I was going to mention the ground pretty early on. This happens quite often when people relocate their battery, or go to reinstall the engine. They forget to ground the engine itself. Like I said, in my 25+ years of turning wrenches, its quite common to forget to reconnect the ground, or make up a new cable after you moved your battery from the engine bay. Great work, I'll be following this build.

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support! More content coming very soon, it’s been a long wait for some parts to come in.

[@mariaconrad4962]

This is more of a practical exercise of how things go.....frustration vs determination

[@richardmarkham8369]

Yep! First rule of auto electrics - is the ground good? Thanks for showing the problems and solutions!

[@nitrofish1974]

That was awesome 👌 👏I'm looking forward to doing one 😀 myself.

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support and good luck! 👍

[@jeffbellinger8542]

Nice work awesome to see you got a start up.

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support!

[@williemwangi4959]

Nice content bro,the amount of perseverance is on another level.

[@RatchetMotors]

Thank you! Really appreciate the support!

[@williemwangi4959]

@@RatchetMotors Welcome,have always wanted to swap an EJ series subbie engine to a T3 transporter van and have learnt alot from this page,however, i am suprised it isn't as easy as i thought...

[@RatchetMotors]

Don’t let my experience discourage you! I’m doing a very custom swap but if you were to get a full longblock with Subaru harness (like what can be found at JDM importers or a local junkyard) the swap would be much easier.

[@LoaFrz]

I’d like to do something like this someday. I’ll be watching all your videos to see what I might expect.

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support! Let me know if you have any questions

[@LoaFrz]

Ratchet Motors if I can get the car I will! Thank you!

[@rodolfonkome7297]

Is a great job you are doing on that car, wish you all the best. hugs ML

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support!

[@alhamedi66]

Amazing beautiful project clean work. Request about mega squirt ecu if you are can make video for basic setup for junior and way mega squirt ecu any information. Best regards,

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support! I am in a way an expert with the Megasuirt but I like the idea. Maybe we could do like a 101 video or something and I could share what knowledge I have.

[@alhamedi66]

@@RatchetMotors thank you for your quick reply and interest. Waiting you. Best regards,

[@KingMrBigE]

Got a 64 with a 2.5 from a 97 Forester and a Berg 5-speed. It's fun to drive but there alot of quirky details in the doing the swap. For instance... I hope you changed your shift rod bushing before you put in your radiator because it will require a whole lot more work afterwards.

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the heads up! Luckily my radiator and radiator support are fully removable so shouldn’t be an issue for future maintenance and upgrades.

[@KingMrBigE]

@@RatchetMotors so is mine but it's a PITA after it's all working a full of antifreeze with no leaks. Plus in my case I also have an a/c condenser since I have working air conditioning too. Dealing with this issue right now in fact! Ugh! Lol

[@slomango7927]

@@KingMrBigE super beetles are longer in the front as they don’t require the shifter rod to come out the front of the tunnel at all.

[@rickrossmechanic65]

GREAT JOB BY THE WAY

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support!

[@rickrossmechanic65]

NO THANK YOU

[@13badbrad1]

Those friggen grounds will bite you every time, especially with ecu’s. Not to be a no it all but the xinc additive is for flat tappet cams, it helps with the friction break in between the lobe and face of the lifter. Just sayin to save you some money on the next oil change.

[@RatchetMotors]

Thank you for the advice! I was not positive it was actually needed but figured it couldn’t really do much harm just for break in. I appreciate the advice!

[@markcoverdale7808]

What was the actual wiring on the coil pack when you said you had the wires reversed?

[@RatchetMotors]

Sadly, I think this all came down to a bad engine ground. I'm fairly certain the coil pack has no issues other than a lack of earf.

[@stephencoomer537]

Way to go!...Does the MegaSquirt actually replace the entire Subaru ECM? Thanks. Steve.

[@RatchetMotors]

Hi Steve, thanks for the support! And yes, the MegaSquirt completely replaces the Subaru ECM. There is a bit of a learning curve but with my Frankenstein motor and future plans, I believe it is the best option and offers the most flexibility for current setup and upgrades.

[@whatwasthatonething3363]

Congrats

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support!

[@Classiccarbscouk]

Awesome effort 👍🏼🔥🛠😎

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support!

[@luizcarlossoares8846]

Olá amigo boa noite eu sou aqui do Brasil eu tiver oportunidade de toda a minha adolescência ter sido criado dentro de uma Oficina mecânica ô meu primeiro fuscão eu comprei eu 1984 batido de frente eu fiz ó conserto depois do horário de trabalho e pintei de vermelho Vila velha que saiu no fusca ém 1978 á pintura ficou linda parecendo um Rubi vermelho quando reluzente no Sol

[@LS-zv1mf]

Exelente amigo

[@RatchetMotors]

Muchas gracias

[@jimadams6639]

Do you have a step-by-step instructions on how to do this VW Subaru swap I would like to purchase one if so

[@RatchetMotors]

I do not yet but would consider putting one together. Thanks for the support!

[@slomango7927]

How hard is figuring out the wiring harness for the mega squirt. Can you buy a plug and play kit?

[@RatchetMotors]

The megasquirt is very easy to figure out. They have extensive documentation online and the product comes with a schematic as well as each wire has label printed on it every few feet. They do have plug and play kits depending on what you are using. I could not use plug and play because I didn’t have the wiring to the stock Subaru ECU. Most of the plug and play kits seem to replace the ECU in stock location, which was obviously not an option in my build haha. Good luck!

[@TheYou05]

Where did you get the adapter plate the flywheel the clutch pressure plate and what starter did you use did you use the Volkswagen starter or did you use a Subaru starter I might do a swap on my bug thank you

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support! Adapter plate and flywheel come from Kennedy Engineered Products (KEP) and can be bought from them directly or through Amazon amzn.to/2JQDevr All clutch components as well as the starter are stock-fitment VW. Good luck!

[@TheYou05]

@@RatchetMotors thanks

[@steadfastdriven4472]

Nice dude

[@RatchetMotors]

Thanks for the support!

[@av8shunmeckaneck]

That slow cranking with s dead battery is too slow for MS to know its cranking hence the pump didn't run. MS has a threshold you can change for cranking speed if needed. If you're running 36-2-2-2 your going to need the resistors for crank and cam. Also, switch to coil on plug if youre running 36-2-2-2. Hotter spark for that giant turbo. Check out my build on Samba. Av8shunmeckaneck.

[@RatchetMotors]

Thank you for all the suggestions! New battery and fixing the grounds definitely were a huge improvement. I cannot run 36-2-2-2 because of the mismatched crank/cam trigger wheels.

[@michielvanschoor]

Would interior cooling heating and ventilation be an option?

[@RatchetMotors]

Yes definitely. I’m not sure how quickly I’ll personally address cooling and heating but there are many options now that I will be using a water-cooled engine. Using a Subaru engine, you could use factory Subaru or aftermarket solutions for heating and cooling, which is a huge plus.

[@rickrossmechanic65]

What’s up sir, I’m about to start this swap on my ghia and super beetle. Can you just buy that engine harnesses already ready to go with the wires already installed or do you have to build it??

[@RatchetMotors]

I think there may be some aftermarket companies (maybe iWire or somebody else) that provide that service. The best way to avoid wiring would be to take everything from the engine harness to stock ECU from a donor and then you could use a plug-n-play kit. Otherwise, you will most likely have to do some level of wire merging. Good luck!

[@deathless6394]

which gear box are you using?

[@RatchetMotors]

Currently have the stock Type 1 gearbox but that won’t be permanent. Long term we will either need to beef up the stock box or go to a Rancho transaxle

[@vl639]

What transmission are you running?

[@RatchetMotors]

Still running the stock Type 1 transmission for the time being. Will likely upgrade the internals or go to a Rancho or similar (if funds allow) before really putting the power down!