VW Beetle Subaru Swap Update - It Runs!!!

[@mikelobao]

Beautiful work!

[@MRT_H]

@@mikelobao Thanks! I miss this car a lot.

[@NathansGarage]

Awesome build!

[@MRT_H]

Thanks!

[@JB91710]

Congratulations! It's nice to get to that point!

[@MRT_H]

JB91710 Thanks! It is quite rewarding.

[@charlesogburn8798]

Great job big dog!! Dat thang sounds like it will get up wit da git down!!😲😲👏👏👏💪👍😁..very impressive! 👍

[@azdirtbag1]

Thanks for the update.. I like it .. sounds sweet can't wait numbers

[@MRT_H]

Sure! Thanks. I can't wait either. Just need to find a tuner that can get me in asap!

[@crimpcreep6887]

Mr. Turbo, can you Tilt Radiator back at Top a little? Then maybe sheet metal a little to direct flow. A chin spoiler under front? I always save anything from old cars, brackets, bolts, anything I might need. Sick speed sells a Shower Cap that goes over air filter to keep out moisture, aka four wheel drive murder style. Great Job!

[@MRT_H]

Yeah, it could be tilted back some, but I didn't see a reason to. I had a scoop underneath to get air in, and I never got around to adding sheet metal to keep the air directed, but it never seemed to care. The air filter worked well for what it was, but the cover sounds cool. I don't own the car anymore though so it doesn't matter I suppose haha. Thanks for watching.

[@beaterbaja]

Hell yes!!! that sounds mean Function over looks any day man, I really dig it

[@MRT_H]

Haha thanks, it's a neat car.... function is key in my book.....

[@ups3357]

That thing is Awesome!! Nice job

[@MRT_H]

Mark Parlee Thank you!

[@TheEZGZ]

240 HP No carbs to foul, sounds great, Looked great at the track. How did it do running down the track? It's a one of kind and it WORKS! That mega squirt was just the right thing to go with.

[@MRT_H]

Yeah, the megasquirt was a good call! It did good on the track minus the crazy wheel spin.

[@wileecohagen]

You don’t just need to get air into the trunk, you need to get it out. Air has to be able to flow freely across the radiator, which is why the 70’s Trans Ams had side scoops. The engine compartment was so full that air couldn’t flow back out of the engine compartment which prevented flow across the radiator.

[@MRT_H]

Correct!

[@masonic6688]

*cool man! The paint job is dope!* But did you use the original transmission? Where did you get those adapter plates? Do they ship internationally? Hope you can help. _Thanks for sharing brother!_

[@masonic6688]

@@MRT_H Thanks brother! *You did a good job*

[@alltwocustoms2379]

Awesome job.!!! 😎

[@vl639]

First off nice work! What transmission are you running? Thank you in advance

[@MRT_H]

Type 2 5 rib iirc. It was built and had a super diff. I think it was a couple year run trans, but I think it has 1 piece gears

[@vl639]

MrTurbo458 the type 2 trans fit ok? I’m doing a Renault Daulpine beetle pan swap and was thinking about the Subaru motor. What that trans run in price if you don’t mind me asking?

[@randylucas7751]

fuck ya thats what we been waiting to see lol sweet car

[@MRT_H]

Haha sorry, it has been quite the process! And being busy doesn't help. And thanks!

[@randylucas7751]

your getting yours way faster than i am mine lol im still awaiting my trans and radiator :/

[@AndySomogyi]

What size coolant pipes did you use? Any cooling issues? I'm swapping an EJ205 into my Porsche 912, and it's got very limited space for coolant pipes, 1.1" ID, 1.25" OD is the biggest I think that'll fit.

[@MRT_H]

I used 1.625" tubing iirc. Never had any issues.

[@lancestorm7551]

Did you try to take the weather stripping off. In front of the radiator?

[@MRT_H]

That wouldn't be enough air flow, I'm going to just guess.... It needs a fair amount of airflow.

[@luisguevara7402]

Nice. Are you going to lower it?

[@MRT_H]

Luis Guevara It was lowered haha it wasn't slammed to where I had to be a pansy driving it. But I don't own the car anymore....

[@letmevibe8318]

How much coolant did you have to use since the radiator hoses run all the way to the back?

[@MRT_H]

I don't remember the exact amount, but it was a lot....

[@letmevibe8318]

MrTurbo458 oh okay! And is the engine a ej25 sohc? Sorry for all the questions I’m thinking of swapping either a sti engine or just a simple sohc ej25 in my bug

[@MRT_H]

@@letmevibe8318 That engine was a jdm ej20y dohc dual avcs as well. It had the twin scroll turbo setup.

[@letmevibe8318]

MrTurbo458 niceee! How much did it make without the turbo set up? Mainly looking for something reliable and not to hard to fabricate due to me not having a shop or knowing how to weld very good

[@MRT_H]

I don't know, I only ran it turbo. N/A I would guess 130 crank HP if you are lucky. Unless it's a 2.0 N/A with higher compression. Then maybe 140-150.

[@Mg_L.A.]

Hey did you have to make any engine mount to compensate for extra hp and or engine movement. Thanks

[@MRT_H]

Manuel Garcia-galarza Nope, just a kaefer brace/truss bar, which helps some. Tranny is solid mount as well.

[@PrinceleoRoyal]

love this !!!

[@TestosteroneRN]

Pretty sweet

[@MRT_H]

TestosteroneRN That's a compliment from a non bug guy haha!

[@TestosteroneRN]

MrTurbo458 true. Pretty sweet for a big even though I'm not a big fan.

[@tonypachanga9636]

where i could buy those rims , really like those rims , also what is the best wv case scat or cvs case and how to prevent oilleaks on the case motors when put them together thank you tony p.

[@MRT_H]

Tony Pachanga Google "Baja mod 940 wheels" and you'll find them... I'm guessing you are asking about air cooled engine cases? I'd go cb performance.... scat is probably ok..... on Subaru blocks Fuji bond works well or Toyota fipg sealant has always worked.... I'd contact cb performance and see what they use to seal the cases....

[@sbb5001]

What trans/adapters do you run? was looking into this swap for a karmann ghia

[@MRT_H]

sbb5001 KEP Adapter kits are all I've used. Ghias are a bit easier from what I hear.

[@xStr8UPDoPex]

Is this a expensive swap?

[@MRT_H]

xStr8UPDoPex This one was, it had a lot of higher end parts on it. It can be done for cheaper with junkyard parts. My second swap was done for about $1500 ish, but it wasn't as fast/nice as this one. It mostly depends on what you want out of the swap, and your budget. Just the adapter kit is $450 or so.

[@xStr8UPDoPex]

MrTurbo458 thanks for the reply. Thats honesty not even that much considering the upgrade you're getting from stock. Good luck with the build man. Looks awesome

[@MRT_H]

xStr8UPDoPex Thanks, the build is finished, and sadly, I had to sell it. But it was a sweet car.

[@franciscoperez5750]

how did you mount or run a crank sensor for the mega squirt?

[@MRT_H]

Stock Subaru sensor, through a vr conditioner. This isn't the old megasquirt, it's the better ms3 pro ecu.

[@Baker5695]

I'm thinking about running my coolant lines thru the tunnel I'm doing a rlr torsion raise so the tunnel will be empty is that a stupid idea

[@MRT_H]

Nothing is a stupid idea, if you have the space there it could work.... just remember that there is a bunch of tubes and the old shifter bushing bracket, and clutch hook, etc... hanging out in the tunnel..... I looked at running the lines in the tunnel, and decided (for me) it wasn't worth the effort because I am heavily limited on time, and didn't want to figure out how to get the pipes to exit/enter the tunnel.

[@Baker5695]

MrTurbo458 thanks man I don't think space or time is a problem I'm manly worried about the heat coming from the hard lines burning my leg

[@FraJa1980]

At the risk of sounding stupid a.f. but i have to ask, won't the lack of fresh cool air flowing to the radiator make it overheat?

[@MRT_H]

FraJa1980 Not stupid, just deaf 😁 1:00 will answer your question. I ended up cutting a scoop on the under side of the front apron, didn't overheat.... even on the drag strip on a 98 degree day.

[@FraJa1980]

Well damn...... don't i feel stupid and deaf hahaha sorry man. That's impressive! My daily overheats at 32 celsius (europe) which is about 89, little 1.6 Ecotech doesn't like it hot.

[@MRT_H]

FraJa1980 You're fine. Just messing with you. Are you running a front mount rad?

[@poshpanda469]

Call it radio.. 👀 If VW had built a turbo motor with 300hp 1963, it would have been a hit.. 👍🥳🏆

[@bighorse215]

Put some rubber insulation in your coolant line clamps

[@MRT_H]

It has silicone pads in between!

[@nativeamericandiscoveries]

I know vw bugs ... y would u spend that kinda money on that car and you say it looks like a hardware store but u don’t care how it looks ... you’ll never get the money you spent back for that car ... that’s what u call a money pit ... and you can do anything with money but is it a waste .... I think u destroyed that car

[@MRT_H]

I actually got a huge pile of cash for it. And it was still cheaper than building an air-cooled engine as a matter of fact. And I had more hp and reliability. But hey, your allowed to have an opinion.... Even if it's wrong and uneducated. 🤪

[@tylergarrison9230]

Everyone has an opinion of a car that for one doesn’t belong to them and secondly probably couldn’t afford or even wrap that tiny little brain around a complicated swap like this. No one ever gets money back on an Aircooled build. They are all Money pits but it’s the enjoyment and time actually building something with your own two hands.

[@nativeamericandiscoveries]

That bug is shit