Living The Van Life - Subaru Conversion IN DEPTH

[@LivingTheVanLife]

I seriously considered the gowesty motors. A couple valid points pointed out to me was that those motors are still the week waterboxxer design. BUT add on top of that, they bore them out to a very large bore to make them higher hp. That makes the cylinder jackets even thinner and weaker only to get you 125 HP all for a very expensive price tag. The subaru 2.5L was designed for a very dependable 166 HP with out any over boring. Those points sold me on the suby.

[@LivingTheVanLife]

Another good thing to remember is that GoWesty offers a nice warranty on their motors. However this warranty was not going to apply to me because I was doing the install myself to save money. I completely understand why they only offer warranties on professionally installed motors... but that was out of my budget by far to have a shop install an already $7,000 motor.

[@mordicuspb]

I love this guys, he's the original van life you tuber!

[@deanmerculief2966]

I would make a snorkel kit to move your aircleaner up into the left side corner away from the ground where you'll pick up dust and other junk.

[@LivingTheVanLife]

With the subaru motor I really feel like you get a more simplified, more reliable cooling system set up over the stock vanagon cooling. I was sooooo lost on what exactly was going on with the stock system. Everything is certainly more straight forward at this point. This I feel will make things far more simpler for repair if anything ever breaks in the field.

[@LivingTheVanLife]

Well it is not cheap.... THATS FOR SURE.... but in the long run it is a really good investment. Like in owning a house.... a roof is an expensive part to replace, but its a really good, needed investment. I saved a ton of money doing the conversion myself. I purchased an install kit with all the parts needed from Rocky Mountain Westy and a motor from craigslist. To have a shop do the conversion for me would have cost $10k-$15k

[@MakinEndsMeet69]

Yeah I never went this far back on your van again videos but now I know why you're able to do what you do in that van again because you have a Subaru engine I've had like 6 or 7 Subarus and I loved every one of them and did a lot of stuff in them so thank you for that but it definitely figures why you're able to do what you do you take care of brother stay safe during these days

[@redstar612]

I watched one of the last vids that you made and i knew that you didnt have the standard T3 Engine ... nice to see that you fitted a Subaru engine in it ! sweet

[@johnhill5829]

Nice Job bro! very tidy, I'm about to throw an ej22 in my 89 syncro camper. Looking forward to a way simpler cooling system too!

[@bpwalker70]

Excellent more power ! have a great day and be safe.

[@bornfreefreedom4900]

Wow. That's done ace. Best wishes

[@T_ndhlovunator]

I love your work man

[@LivingTheVanLife]

GoWesty is a great company and I really love their website and their products. I just had to make a decision on a motor replacement and I chose suby. No disrespect meant toward GoWesty. I definitely recommend them for their other products.

[@curlygreen5436]

Thats is one hell of a clean job sir! Its unfortunate you had no friends who were ASE cert. that would sign off on the warranty for you. That is one of the cleanest eng swaps done by a "non-prof" I have ever seen , the relocation of the coolant rez shows you are no newbie with tools though lol.. Could not have done any better myself and im a "prof. ASE certified Tech" . Just started looking for vans and RV's to go on a adventure myself, if I come across a Westfalia this will help me to decide.

[@Hiacehobo]

Thanks for sharing - great job! Looking forward to seeing her run : )

[@takforalt]

Thanks so much for your detailed reply. I think I will go suby as well. I had a '89 DL wagon and although that engine wasn't a powerhouse, I really miss that 'ol suby.

So awesome! Subaru power!

[@treymo4452]

Wanted to thank you I watched this video probably 30 times while I was in the process of my swap. Finally we are on the road. enjoy all your videos. Our IG is @greenvannoplan

[@kombibus]

Very good and informative video. I wish the rest of these people would explain what they did like your video. Keep up the good work.

[@scwarzewaffe85]

Very informative vid. I'm going to be carrying out this conversion for a customer very soon. Thanks for the info.

[@connarcomstock161]

Fits like it was supposed to be there!

[@JohnVHRC]

looks great man!

[@Agueybana55]

I'm curious if you're happy with your conversion can you make a video about that engine

[@tmherrin]

I hope to attack this project this year. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimmylow4391]

hi Chad, thank you for sharing your post. look forward to see more about the converted van. I have a 1987 where it has been converted to 2004 forester . Unfortunately that, i wonder, never asked via the pervious owner, if the RPM when over 4000, i will lost engine oil. Also, when driving, around 60 mph (it an automatic) teh rpm went all the way up closed to 4000rpm. Another word, my van never get to over 60mph, regularity . any suggestion?

[@wesleyakachino]

is that a gti in the background? i have a 89 gti 16v, it was my first car ever almost had it for 15yrs now, i love it, great job on the swap!

[@iDracula2208]

I've got 239 thousand miles on my 2005 Subaru.

[@isidroross886]

Saludos desde republica Dominicana. soy dueño de una t3 Vanagon. le estoy adaptando un j22 de Subaru..

[@DanTheManIOM]

How much do you use the cruise control ? My vanagon (MT) did not come with one but the subaru has one. What did you do with the AC ?

[@serzh_ant1563]

Класс!!! Очень хорошо получилось.

[@Deiphobuzz]

About the cooler, Is there any sort of thermostat tot regulate the transmission temperature? My vanagon or T3, is also an automatic and im worried about it failing when the inline 4 cyl swap is done.

[@vipercrazy9910]

can you swap the oil pan once the engine is in the van? I know on a subaru it is very tight.

[@takforalt]

What do you think of the GoWesty Waterboxer 2.5? They seem to be hyper-purists over there. Would you recommend the sub conversion if the owner is not all that familiar with working on engines?

[@Fitforacting]

What is the best swap to do in your opinion?

[@antwankemp2281]

Did you have to change the transmission with the conversion?

[@LivingTheVanLife]

No sir. Vw transmission

[@andreafox9137]

Yep, but... the VW transmission is geared for the VW 2.1L engine, so her legs aren't long enough to handle the higher RPMs of that Subaru engine. Go Westy/Rocky Mountain Westy sell the weights/conversation parts for the transmission upgrade.

[@tttboyy]

Nice, did you do the install yourself ?

[@NickMaiorsky]

What do you think was your final number on the conversion to EJ25 ?

[@rowdyrhodie]

How does she run now, must fly...

[@sergiutabirta7636]

is your van AWD? syncro

[@GeorgijusPavlovas]

14 mpg?

[@ch3lo]

Is this thing California legal. Smog

[@HNRichard]

how much did it cost for the conversion?

[@calin1321]

whats the name of the place where the oil pan was bought

[@djpo1974]

smallcar.com/

[@RSang007]

Whos here in 2020

[@Gmoney201201]

what was ur bottom line price with everything you bought?

[@colinwalters8118]

Gmoney201201 m

[@HoosierDaddy5381]

“Uh” x 14726

[@Texaca]

😆😆😆😆 ...but no Umm!