VW Bus Restoration with SUBARU Engine Swap

[@sharptoothtrex4486]

That is the greatest restoration Little Miss Sunshine VW with Subaru engine swaps. The Little Miss Sunshine cast happy to see this.

[@NestordelaZerda]

I am getting a bus this week, I cannot wait to do this to mine! Thanks for sharing!

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Awesome! How are you making out with it?

[@jamie-r2034]

Wish you were closer to Altoona Pennsylvania! I'd totally pay you to put a sub motor in my 79' bus!

[@DanTheManIOM]

Vanaru down in VA wanted to convert a bay window....they thought my 78 was too ugly, but they do the conversion...

[@craigmonteforte1478]

I’m a fan of VW Aircooled motors and VW Vehicles in general , but i must confess the Subaru Boxer Exhaust notes do sound nice ! Especially super Cool in a old VW. that allows that Vehicle to be used on todays Highways and Traffic it makes it all. Pretty Sweet !

[@IrishRooster86]

That was a heck of a lucky find, I wish I had some. I live in PA and have been looking for a decent platform start with for the last few years. Everything I find is Swiss cheese or has been in an accident/burned up and the seller is asking top dollar for. One day I’ll find mine. Your bus turned out beautifully bro thank you for making this video. Peace out and VW for life!!

[@peterday3253]

Excellent work, sir. That's a cherry looking bus. "Primo loaf" we used to say in the old days ('cause a bus is shaped like a loaf of bread). One thing I would mention is that you consider the possibility of installing thermo switches on the radiator fans. Internal combustion engines like to run at a normal operating temperature (the temp indicated on the thermostat). It is best that they warm up to this temp quickly. There are particular compounds produced during the warmup phase that cause greater engine wear, cylinder scoring and whatnot. I don't remember what the compounds are called - maybe silica something or other. I read about it on Kevin Cameron's column @ Cycle World like 25 years ago. But it stuck in the head because it made an impression on the consciousness. And in the early days I had a habit of removing thermostats from air cooled VW engines and fixing the cooling regulators wide open on the fan shroud. These compounds cease to be at normal operating temps. Plus, if an engine is overcooled the pistons are expanding while the case may not be. This also causes a bit of interference and excessive wear. All this stuff I learned by doing the same things you are doing. Then later people came forward and imparted some info to help increase our vast knowledge. Engines like the temp just right - not too hot or too cool. I gotta say I'm really impressed with the work that you and any helpers did on that fine looking and sounding VW Van. Cheers.

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

I appreciate the kind words.. Lots of love put into the bus. I have heard things about getting up to operating temperature as quick as possible. However this does get hot quick and I'm looking for all the cooling I can get, I may have even read that cycle world back in the day!

[@Omar-Type271]

Nice. Thanks

[@anesu.gilbertmatenje4832]

Amazing, great work bro

[@JuanOrozco-t4i]

Awesome work I'd like to do that to mine

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

@@JuanOrozco-t4i just don't do anything that couldn't be brought back to stock one day. But great upgrade.

[@matthewdunning2407]

Love this! Curious to know how you access the battery for service or replacement? Does the right radiator need to come out? Anything else?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

I have the battery under the rear seat now. Saves a lot of trouble accessing it and I have fuses there as well.

[@robakagyser2300]

Cool build and nice looking bus. Enjoyed watching your video. Great job especially with cooking system setup. Makes me want to get a bus of my own. Thanks. -Rob

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Thank you. They are getting expensive and hard to find. Especially in the North East.

[@nitrametalu4263]

Excelente conversión, gracias por compartir, saludos desde Costa Rica

[@LeoOlanski]

Brian, I just found your channel and I’m hooked. Thank you for your great content and the honest way you present it.

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Awesome so much more to come too...

[@juniorclassicvwbugs924]

Brother awesome job. I will keep in touch with you. So I can pick on your brain when o finally get a chance to do this…😊. I just finished restoring my 1971 Sup beetle. I have a second one with a also plan to restore. At some point I also had thought to do a Subaru conversion on a bug. I have seen a few people do this. Thanks for the details. This Junior Classic Vw bugs. Take brother.

[@TheSmokingbanana90]

Very cool build! Did you have to use a throttle reverser?

[@bw5559]

Impressive project. Do you have any resource on merging the two harnesses ?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

I have another Subaru to pull a harness from. I'll make sure to make a video on doing that. However it is relatively easy to hook the two together once you see what you are working with.

[@craigmonteforte1478]

in regards to the Ground issues why not just add a Marine Buss Bar in the engine compartment that has. a Excellent Ground and allows you to hook up multiple grounds i’ve done that on all of the 17 or 18 Boats. i’ve owned and maintained then you always have reliable places to hook up anything Smart move on the Kennedy AdaptercPlates. they have been around since the 60s and 70s and have. always been Engineering AircooledVolkswagen products i do love the excitement. you have on this Conversion and I totally get it true Story a former Girlfreind had parents that bought a early70s Bus and cruised the Country in it for years ! She was placed in a basket between the front seats and her Dad thought something was wrong on the Vehicle because it randomly would pop out of 4 th gear he stopped in every dealership in the Country and they kept telling him nothing is wrong with it he did figure out the issue. whenever the radio found a good station with music the baby would kick her feet to the beat and every once in a while she could hit the gear shifter !

[@fishhead1844]

Omg lot of work , I’d like one as my daily 🏆

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Such a fun daily driver. Tons of work but very rewarding. Everyone points and waves.

[@kevindougherty593]

very cool. So, how much would you sell it for? 😁

[@philipfortuna1618]

what temps are you running. i have overheated already, and am running around 200 after radiator shrouds any inf o thanks

[@jacksplace]

I can see your a happy camper what did yeah do to give it brakes ?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Very happy camper. It has disc brakes up front and drum in the rear. They work just fine.

[@chavorucosnkombies]

Definetley an awesome job! Congrats ! Is your engine a turbo or non turbo? Im hesitant about buying the Kennedy adapter plate vs using the Subaru transmission with reverse rotation rack and pinion.. how does the vw trans hold up to the Subaru engine. I have an impreza wrx turbo engine to put in my 75 bus and cant decide which way to go subaru drive train all the way ? Or vw tranny with Subaru engine

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Thank you. Mine is non turbo. Really didn't want to go any faster in a bus with no front protection. I would recommend the Kennedy adapter. I works great. I haven't heard of anyone using a Subaru transmission so might want look into that. Bus transmissions are very strong. They are used in Baja Bugs. Might be a little tight fitting the turbo in the bus but will be really neat once its done. Good luck.

[@micahuhhhh]

top speed?

[@jacksplace]

great video Brian my question is does your bus have a interior hatch my 68 doesn't which could make it a lot harder

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

No the hatch came in later buses. Starting in 72 I believe. Sure would be easier if I had one.

[@kerrondias4659]

Good job 🇯🇲

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Thank you much appreciated!

[@timothy3777]

Nice job man. Could you turn up your voice over audio a bit more next time? It was hard to hear you around 2:40 ish

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll have to look into it.

[@stevechan9914]

Do you use subaru specific coolant or 50/50 is fine?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

I just used 50/50. Never gave special coolant a thought. It's an older engine.

[@calebtennison9353]

/Subbed This was fantastic.

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Sweet more to come!

[@hugodefazio]

hey. how is cooling systrm working? problems? what are the radiator dimensions?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

The radiators are out of a 93 honda civic. I got the extra cores for better cooling. They just fit in the opening. Make sure to seal off the sides for the air flow. Works pretty well.

[@rayanesoto1054]

What gauges did you change/add to dash?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

I only added a small water temperature gauge. You should be able to see it in the full bus showcase video.

[@rayanesoto1054]

Ok, thank you! 2 more questions. What brakes are you running? What size tires ?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

@@rayanesoto1054 The brakes are stock disc in the front drum in the rear. Tires are 185/70/14

[@gregory8282]

Well done.... Can you please tell me what radiators you have used?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

I used 2 from a 93 honda civic get the 4 core not the 2 so you have the extra cooling.

[@gregory8282]

@@MrBriansAmazingWorld Thanks...

[@laheirubas7399]

How did you put the engine inside the vw ? Is it the gearbox of subaru or engine was coupled to vw gearbox ?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

It fits in there perfectly. And it uses the VW transmission. Just needed an adapter plate to bolt it together. Also uses a flywheel that fits the subaru engine but takes a VW clutch and VW starter.

[@joshuaramdial3595]

Awesome

[@connormorgan6984]

What colour colour code was the red and white? Factory vw colour codes?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

No they were the colors that I wanted. I wanted an antique white. And the brightest best red that I liked. Paints are really buried at the moment so I can't look at the codes. Original red is a little darker. Can't go wrong with any red white combo. Everyone loves it!

[@avasquez29]

Is the engine you used an EJ223 ? 2.2 L

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Yes I used the ej22. Great little engine. Can use an ej25 also.

[@phillipwireman4740]

Great looking bus man, I'm in the middle of doing my own conversion on a 1974 camper bus

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Thank you. Good luck on your bus and enjoy the adventures to come.

[@phillipwireman4740]

@@MrBriansAmazingWorld I've got mine rolling now but i'm seeing the same issue with the computer needing to see power twice like you showed in this video. Is there any way around this issue?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

@@phillipwireman4740 if you leave one of the positive wires always hooked up it will work on the first try. I didn't want anything draining the battery while it sits so I left it on the switch.

[@bootmender]

I put a diesel 2.1, 270 HP In my 1990 camper van. The complete Porsche transaxle AWD was used. 6 speed

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

That sounds so awesome! Any video of that? Sounds like a perfect setup.

[@bootmender]

@@MrBriansAmazingWorld sorry no videos, it’s been 4 years ago and my son stole it and moved to northern Idaho. My son tried to get me to use a Subaru engine but I am a diesel mechanic of 40 years! Some of the unusual up Grades, 4” lift, 4” wider footprint, 4 wheel disk brakes. Electric lockers, ARB one board Air, ARB awning, CB, Chinese Diesel Heater, duel 16 gallon fuel tanks. Last time I asked him he was getting about 22 mpg in town and +30 on the highway. Stock Engine was 95 hp. Now 270 hp.

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

@@bootmender you built what they should have sold from the factory! I'm a huge diesel fan and like that it is a unique engine choice for a bus. Sounds like you should go steal it back. Haha

[@raymndstannski3947]

Curious? why subaru ,and could you have bought a Re man motor from another source? You must be retired Right?

[@ShikaKiss]

NICE NICE WOW

[@steveavery4453]

It looks like you have a different front end and rear axles that came with the 1971 VW bus . It looks like it 1972 or newer. I have a 1968 bus. I do not think the transmission could handle the power. Is there another transmission you could use for my VW.

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

Hi stock front end and stock transmission. Handles the power very easily being geared so low. Strong transmissions to begin with. Used in off road bugs. Would be great for the highway with a taller ring and pinion gear. (lower ratio). I believe the 5 rib transmission from a later bus would be stronger than the 3 rib but I have no complaints.

[@dflf]

So.....piece of cake?

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

No and yes. Some parts are easier than expected and others are very difficult. Great very rewarding project.

[@user-ry1jr4ev1u]

A/C added to it ??

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

If wish I would have known how easy it would have been to keep the A/C. The next one definitely will have it.

[@lifegpt]

Audio cutting out

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

That's odd always worked before. Hopefully just a glitch. Thanks for telling me.

[@lifegpt]

@@MrBriansAmazingWorld great video by the way. Great van my KZbin was on auto play no other vids had the sound cutting in and out I was just gona skip your vid but it was too interesting so I just put up with it. I'm thinking of doing something similar with a t4, or wondering how difficult it would be. Apparently golf engines go in t4 short nose.

[@trikelyfe6090]

Drift truck.... similar chassis chopped into flatbed/truck

[@MrBriansAmazingWorld]

I want to see pictures of that!