So ive been debating doing this since I first put the car together but didnt have the funds. In Idaho its our off season so now is a good time to get on it. Im looking at going to a N/A 2.5 SOHC from the present 2332 vw. Ive talked to Outfront and Metric about pricing and cant seem to nut up and spend that much cash. My question is what do you guys think I could do the swap for, I can do all the fab work, I just need to get my hands on all the goods ...Its been so damn cold here when I started my car the other night I blew the oil filter seal and coated myself and most of my garage with oil...lol...thanks for your input! Mike

Fab work is the least of your worries. I say go with the 2.0l turbo. It's like 160hp to the wheels on pump gas. Your car is so light it doesn't need a 2.5l, it would be nice be not a requirement. You may be able to find yourself a 2.0l WRX or you can get a JDM one, those have more power and more boost.
Depending on your frame you may be able to use the stock exhaust manifolds and turbo location. This will cut down the cost a little, as you won't have to buy a new header and reroute turbo lines.
The biggest cost of a Subaru conversion is the computer. If you are electrically handy you can build yourself a Megasquirt computer using the stock harness.

Are you stuck on using the subi?

CBM has ecotech's for much less than any Subi and their customer service is top notch... Just another option.

Thanks for the replies! Im not stuck on the Subi. I just looked at CBM's site and there ecotec package is really close to the same price I was getting on a subi. Im pretty limited since im running a type 1 box. I really like the idea of the 2.5 n/a. My current setup has plenty of top end but ive heard the 2.5 is a world of difference plus not having to deal with carbs, leaking ass pushrod tubes etc. Im not very electrical savvy so id like to keep that as simple as possible. My biggest thing is I only get out to the dunes a few times a year and its a hell of a drive so dependability is a big one for me. How does the ecotec in n/a form compare to the 2.5 n/a? the VW has to come out of the car for a freshn up and id really like to see something else goin back into it...

Mmmmmmmmmmm Idaho Sand Dunes

We have a 2332 VW Turbo and a bus box, have the short block 2.0 Subi sitting in the garage...our problem is $$ too but not only that, where to put that radiator and not eff up the lines of our buggy.

Here's mine from an old VeeDub to a Subi 2.5 N/A. So amazing to have an engine start and idle when cold and no more floor oil cleaning. Gobs of power but only driven a few times on hard pack.

Reliability was a biggie for me too. Definitely the best upgrade ever.


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The Idaho dunes are awesome! I grew up going to buttercup and glamis but been in Idaho since 99. I think the last time I was in glamis was my 18th bday in 95...damn time flies!....

Looks like you went DOHC? Seems like theres more of those available and a bit cheaper. What did your swap run ya? Thanks for your time!

Yeah, dual cam setup. I've heard since that the single cam version can have a little more torque on the low end.

I had John & Mac @ Outfront set me up with their 2.5 kit for a little over 5K. It had the Kennedy adapter, shortened oil pan, headers, ECU/harness and also bumped for the chrome goodies. Just added a radiator and gauges and fabbed up everything else.

It is some work but so glad I made the jump. Just get in and drive...


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Looks like you went DOHC? Seems like theres more of those available and a bit cheaper. What did your swap run ya? Thanks for your time!
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When i did the turbo 2.5 stage 1 set up from steve johnson it ran me just over 7k for everything. I believe the motor,computor,adaptor,clutch,radiator,fan,fuel pump,and filter ran $6800. then the rest i purchased later for the remainder $500 to complete turnkey.

Mike, this is Duane...
Just be very careful with the tranny. I thought mine would be ok and I grenaded two before I went with my mendi. Aside from that, mine has been awesome. I was lacking some serious bottom end, but I found out it was because I was trying to use the twin turbo setup. I am currently in the process of installing a single ported and polished STI single turbo. Should spool quick and produce some good power... (I'm hoping) lol

P.S. Are you going to come down to our dunes this year???

Whats up bro?? I rode with you, I know why you grenaded 2!..Clutch in, RPMSSSS, clutch out...more rpms...wheelie.....lol....Im leaning more towards the ecotec mainly since the engines are cheaper and easier to come by, it will just be n/a for now. I thought you were going to a 2.5? Id love to make it there this year, I only got out ONCE last year and thats some bullshizzz! Ill keep you posted on what im doing, I actually just found a motor in your neck of the woods, I may try to have one of you Utah boys go check it out for me!....catch ya soon!

Well I was going to go with a 2.5 but then after doing some research and talking to other people they said to ditch the twin setup and go with a single. So I am going to try that first. If it isn't any better then I will do a 2.5. Or maybe a honda...lol.

Let us know when you get something!! Oh and yes, you better get out more than just once this year!!!!!!

I just swapped in a 2.5 SOHC turbo engine in my car from a vw. The power increase is amazing! even off boost just cruising, there is so much torque. Having that much torque on demand makes driving so much more effortless. I don't have to worry about keeping r's up before steep hills or anything anymore. Just hit the go pedal when i need it and it goes wherever i point it. Worth every penny IMO.

Well I picked up a ecotec yesterday from a guy in Oregon, now the fun begins!

nice. I almost went with the ecotec also. I am interested in seeing how that swap goes. Good luck and make sure you post pics of your progress. We visual learners would really appreciate it.

You got it, been a little busy lately but im hoping to get the old engine out in the next week or two and start doing fingering . I really wish I would have just went this route when I first built the car

Got it done yet????? lol

I wish this forum would send you a email when you get a reply on a post..anyhow, the engine is sitting in the car, trying to get my motor mounts done and gather up the rest of the bits, trying to figure out what radiator I wanna run, etc..Ill post soemthing once shes running

Motor mounts? Not so good unless they are going to be the hanging type. If you put mounts from the bottom of the engine (where the stock motor mounts attach) to the engine cage right below you will be transfering any impact the cage gets directly to the engine. I have a 2.5 DOHC Turbo in my car and have never had a problem with the motor mounted only to the transaxle (091).

The forum does do email notifications. You have to turn it on in "my controls" the link is upper right side on all pages on the site.

Thanks Scott..I have a Ecotec in the car now, but my buddy is in the process of putting a subi in his car and we were just trying to figure out some motor mounts for his car as well.damn exhaust is right in the way ..good to know you can get away without them in the subi! Thanks

Thanks Stein...I think I fixed it

I'd be carefull if you are considering not using a motor mount in a midengine. No motor mount places a lot of stress in the trans. A typical midengine car the trans is mounted at the bell housing and nose cone. A no mount motor will try to rotate around the bell housing mount and pull up on the nose cone mount. They are not very strong. I've seen lots type 1 nose cone tear out the bolt holes. Also a mid engine car will not bottom out on the two bars under the motor like a rear engine car. So you don't have to worry about transferring load to the engine in a bottom out scenario.

If the nose cone side of the trans is mounted using a mid mount or trans strap then you will be fine with no motor mounts.

Hey Mike, I emailed you a couple of pics of how my radiator is mounted in my car... Scott said you needed some ideas. How is it coming along????

Thanks, I checked them out last night, tried to reply but it kicked the email back to me. Anyhow, the motor is in, still mocking some things up. Had to modify the frame a bit to get the clearance I needed, engine mounts are done. Got my computer and whole box of goodies the other day, im trying to figure out where to put the radiator and how to somehwat hide/protect the computer and chain of relays that came with it, Ill start a new topic with some pics when I get a little closer. I searched hi and low for someone that had kinda documented a ecotec swap and dint find shit so maybe it can help someone else out...Ive got a few more parts I need to order from cbm then it should just be a matter of wiring it up, plumbing and crossing my fingers that it starts Its funny how much time ive spent trying to figure out "what to do" versus how much time ive spent "doing"....

Looking good so far... The planning does take a while. But lots of planning makes less rework lol. Although there is always a little reworking of some sort HAHA.