Volks-Swap :: The Subaru Conversion :: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( NOW DYNO'D )

00:05:48 Sun
Nov 18 2007
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( NOW DYNO'D )

Hi all new here but pretty well known in the VW comunity due to my other rides current and past a Meyers Towdster and my recently sold Meyers Manx.
But if your here you probabley don't want to here about some vw powered dune buggys.
As the title suggests i am currently fitting a approx 1996 Subaru EG33 boxer into our Baja Kombi here in Qld Australia which will be quite a power increase compared to the old 2litre type 4 vw donk with its massive 52.4rwhp as from what info i have read so far the EG33 should be around the 200rwhp mark.
So far on the conversion we have fitted a " Volksconversions " adapterplate and flywheel and have mated it up to a rebuilt 2litre 6 rib stock kombi box and have fitted it into the car with the only body modification being that we have to remove the stock fuel tank from its location behind the motor as the twin throttle bodies and associated plumbing is all in this area and could not just be inverted like an EJ22 due to height limitations and although this sounds like a major problem having to relocate the fuel tank it has worked out quite well with more positives than negatives.
Once in the car i have had a custom exhaust fabricated by Gun Performance here in Stafford Brissy which is a twin system and balance pipe and now hpc coated and polished.
With that all done next was the sump which i have shortened and widened to gain 60mm in ground cleareance
And just yesterday i have fabricated the new engine crossmember as up to now we just had it hanging (quite safely)on the gearbox ear mounts as the sump had to be faricated prior to the crossmember.
While i have been busy with the rest of the job Dave at Custom Vee Dub ( Formally known as Custom Off Road ) has been fabricating me a new alloy fuel tank that sits in front of the old fuel tank firewall where the back seat should be which i don't have anyway and plus holds an impresive 103 litres which will be great for those long offroad trips .
Next on our list is the new Alloy bull bar / radiator mount which i have so far cut out the main bar profile and will get it folded this week for next weekends jobs.
Anyway i better get back to it as i have to have it finished for the deadline of the 15th of December.

Andrew [4 edits; Last edit by Oz_Towdster at 22:53:43 Sat Jul 19 2008]

EG33

06:12:18 Sat
Nov 24 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus

Hi Oz-T

I just spotted your post and realized that I'm not alone! I'm also a fan of the EG33. My project hasn't seen the spark of life yet.. but I admire that engine on a daily basis. Can you imagine if VW made a 6Cyl like that as an option? People would be beating down their door.

I know the latest H6 (3.0L) is rated at a little more HP (but also @ a higher RPM). And is shorter in length... which would have made [my] transplant easier. I would still pick the EG33 for shear bragging rights. That .3Liter is important to me :smile:

I think it's a great choice. Especially for a "daily driver", I wouldn't choose anyting else. How can you go wrong with 230HP @ 5500? Naturally aspriated to boot! The bottom end on that engine is amazing. With seven (7) mains, it's built to last.

I've seen similar (and higher) HP numbers on the "huffed up" (Turbo'ed) 4 cylinders. And if I was at the drags 98% of the time. I might choose one of them for all out performance (piston oilers etc). But when you actually have to DRIVE the car on the street with some real weight behind it. It's hard to beat 3.3L's :smile:

From your description, you've really got a lot done. Would love to see some photos, of course. Keep us in the loop. All these projects going on are inspriational! I might actually try to finish mine! lol

Take care
Randy
Long Beach, Ca. USA
[remove]randy@microimage.net [1 edits; Last edit by EG33 at 03:40:23 Sun Nov 25 2007]

EG33

00:33:50 Mon
Nov 26 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus

Hi Oz-T

One other thing about your Bus project. Are you going to use the factory ECU with your EG33? The reason I'm asking because I bounced back and forth between the fac computer and a aftermarket to handle the gas & spark. Literally buying and selling a few ECU's, components and looms :smile:

I ended up with a Haltech E11v2. I realize that you're from - Australia :smile: And that happens to be the HOME for Haltech. I thought there might be a chance that you might be using the same.

Using the Haltech is not the cheapest or easiest. But I wanted more control over my engine when it comes to performance modifications. And there is a limited amount of things you can do (control) with the factory ECU. I also got dizzy staring at the SVX wiring loom! Way to many wires. I decided I would spend as much time un-raveling the mystery of the factory wires & loom as starting from scratch with a aftermarket unit.

I don't have a "base map" yet to get it started. Just looking for someone to hack one out with and or trade info. Although I not that far along yet to even take the E11 out of the box. That's really near the end. Although I have considered getting it started on "the bench". But I would need to cut the many wires the correct length and crimp the speciality connector pins that came with the ECU. I only want to do this once, as you might imagine..

Sincerely
Randy
Long Beach, Ca. USA
[remove]randy@microimage.net

Oz_Towdster

09:06:13 Mon
Nov 26 2007
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus

Thanks for the info but i am going to stick with the factory ECU and my mate has already made me a shortened loom plus is also going to finish wiring it all into the bus for me.
One of the main reasons i'mm not looking for any more performance is the ever fragile 091 gearbox which would normally probabley be OK with stock rolling diametres , but our bus being a jacked up Baja we are running 33" rear tyres which as you can imagine can put quite a strane on first gear off road and in the sand with 230hp !!!! , although i am already looking into a UN5 renault box which is much stronger but is longer and i think this will creat some fitting issues .
By the way what are you fitting your EG into !!!!
Oh and its great to finally find some one else that is going down the same road.
I will also post up some photos soon which i should be able to give some pretty detailed shots on my mates car hoist

Cheers Andrew [1 edits; Last edit by Oz_Towdster at 09:08:47 Mon Nov 26 2007]

---
Current Rides
1977 EG33 Powered Baja Kombi
1969 Meyers Towdster

EG33

23:48:37 Mon
Nov 26 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus

HI OZ!

Thanks for taking the time to reply :smile:

[update: I just re-read your 1st post. Man, you're rocking! The exhaust, fuel tank... You really stepped up to the plate. Good job!]

I think you're making good choices. Truth be told, I really ended up using the after marke ECU due to issues I had trying to pull together all the components I needed for the electronics. I wish I had a WHOLE CAR to work from. It ended up being piece meal.. And I didn't have the comfort of knowing that they [all worked] together @ one time :smile:

How can you beat the factory ECU. It's factory! Plug and play.. With mine, I've got to re-invent the wheel... I feel better when I say it's due to future performance modifications :wink: Which should be a moot point. If ~230HP in a ~2000Lb car doesn't satisfiy?

I would love to see photos. In any condition. I'll take function over form anyday. Have yet to build the exhaust. If I remember correctly, you've been there done that?

I'm putting (trying to put) my EG33 in a 67' sedan. You know I wanted some "serious" natural performance. That is, I didn't want a "huffed" up, high strung VW engine. And I've been driving aound 4cyls for years now. So it called for a couple of extra pistons and added HP to make it worth my wild.

Subaru was a natural choice. Hey, a water cooled vw? But I also wanted something different. I saw the specs on the SVX motor and was sold. It's like Subaru's HiPo motor (for it's day). Only problem was size.

Long story short, it fits without disturbing the stock outside apperance. Of course now they have the 3.0L H6 that's only about an inch longer than the 4cylinders. Now they tell me! But "we" do have braging rights on the extra .3L? Really. Who wants to drive whimpy 3L? lol

Actually, that 3L makes slightly more HP, but at around 6500 instead of 5500. Not the direction I want to go. anyways. No surprise anyway. HP is tied to RPM.

Take care!

Sincerely
Randy
Long Beach, Ca. USA
[remove]randy@microimage.net [1 edits; Last edit by EG33 at 00:21:26 Tue Nov 27 2007]

Oz_Towdster

04:21:03 Wed
Nov 28 2007
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus

By 67 sedan i assume you mean a beetle or is it a Type 3 notch back sedan.
Should have those photos soon , how about a few pics of yours ??

EG33

09:17:22 Wed
Nov 28 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus

Hi oZ!

My vehicle is a 1967 VW Bug (hard top). Pssst. Don't tell my 67' but I really what to finish with a "oval window"!! But ether way.... we're talking bugs.

Photos: Below is a link for this site, under conversion projects: It's in pretty raw form

Volks-Swap link to Currnet projects

I know your pretty far along (more than I am) , and I don't know if you can still use it. But I have a fair amount of SVX / EG33 related info (Including header design, which is a little late? Engine rebulding specs and VW Type II transaxle rebuilding info. I've burned most everything on to a CD. Would be happy to share it with you if you think it might still be useful.... I'm sure I can get it to you across the Internet as "cd image" download. Which could then be re-burned to a disk at your end.

Yap@you L8Ter :smile:
Randy
Long Beach, Ca USA
[remove]randy@microimage.net

Just a thought.

Oz_Towdster

07:13:43 Thu
Nov 29 2007
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus

Do you think that Kafer bar is going to be strong enough to support the extra weight of the EG as i think iwould be building a roll cage inside the car and the rear stays also support the back end of the horns !!

EG33

10:28:45 Thu
Nov 29 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus

Hi Oz!

Kafer bar. Funny you should mention that. That photo is a little dated. I sold that (new) bar on eBay. One of the reasons I didn't like it was it's weight.. I know the weight issue sounds small. But I'm trying to keep it on a diet as I build it. The bar was heavey since it was touted as bolt-in. It had a lot of individual, heavy parts. Including the HD heims. It was good for eyeballing. But I soon invisioned my own stout welded "strut" between the shock towers, then down to the horn (welded). Then two more heading forward to the torshion tube.Throw in a clean fitting rollbar and tie everything together...

I actually spend a fair amount of time wondering how the horns hold even the stock engine & trans? I think that Subee tosses another, say 100LB into the mix?

I appreciate you're watching my back! :wink: Would hate to leave that engine in a ditch someware after one to many dips in the road.

Baja bus huh? Years ago (way to many) I had a 56' panel with the factory 36HP, Holley Bug spray (woops, dating myself here). and would take it up to the local mountain back roads, light snow ect. It was amazing where you could go. Even in stock form. Xlint ground clearance and you can't beat all the weight "on the rear driving wheels. Where god meant it to be :smile:

And of course there is nothing more fun that sitting "over the front" wheels as you make your way down these roads. Always a blast to drive.

The additional power is the missing part. Really. A 3.3L is very appropriate for that vehicle. You're just correcting Wolfsburgs oversight!

p.s. I've got some good build info on your Type II trans. Something that's a little hard to find...

[update]
Came accross a couple of EG33 related videos on YouTube. Well, there is actually a hand full. But these are more engine specific
1st
A maching shop (only about 30miles away from me), milling the deck after installing some custom cylinder liners. About 6m long. They spend a little to much time watching the milling process. But I'll take what I can get

Milling process - Custom liners

2nd
What looks to be a 1st time, highly modified Turbo start

1st time Turbo startup

Nothing to write home about :smile:

Randy [4 edits; Last edit by EG33 at 17:19:12 Sun Dec 2 2007]

Oz_Towdster

01:39:12 Sat
Dec 1 2007
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

Finally got some pics !!!!!

Rear engine bay shot

EG Extractors

Eg Crossmember

New Fuel Tank

The EG33 Baja Bus

---
Current Rides
1977 EG33 Powered Baja Kombi
1969 Meyers Towdster

EG33

02:47:09 Sat
Dec 1 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

O U T S T A N D I N G - OZ!!

OZ! Oz.. oz... You're killing me here!!

First off..
Your bus is COOL. I could have never gotton away with rear-rubber like that on my old reduction-box trans (axle bearing issues). It didn't even dawn on me that running IRS could open such possibilities. I about fell over. NOW THAT'S OFF ROAD! Add ~230HP and all I can say is: Very cool... And when can I drive it?

(COoL? Then I saw the underside..)
I have NEVER seen a nicer eXhaust on a project vehicle than YOURS. Period! Just one question..

When will they be for sale and where do I send the $2,500.00 US? :wink: It is simply OUTSTANDING. I may have to make that photo my "wallpaper"!!

Is that Oval Tubing or just the angle of the photo? Every inch of that system is beautiful. The person who built it is an artist and you're 1st rate for having it built. Surly he was the primary designer for the Porsche 993? What, then he retired and you talked him into building one for you?

And the finish has that certain WOW factor...

p.s.
The REAR MOUNT. Your design? Not that familiar with this year bus.....

Randy [5 edits; Last edit by EG33 at 18:41:29 Sat Dec 1 2007]

Oz_Towdster

04:03:26 Sat
Dec 1 2007
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

No sorry its only the angle of the photo ,its just round pipeing and in regards to the engine mount i have just reworked the ends of an original bay kombi engine support bar and moved them foward and drilled some holes through the rear chassis , then tig welded in some crush tubes and bent up some 1" x 1" x 1/8" box which you can see in the photos and then off that i fabricated using some 1/4" plate some pads theat bolt straight up to the original EG / SVX mounts.
Catch ya tomorrrow as its a little busy round here as its my 40th birthday today and i'll be in the shit if the missus catches me on here when i should be getting party stuff ready for our 60 + guests.

PS in case your wondering that alternator tensioner is of an EJ 22 subie and bolts straight on which will save you some time in that regards .

Got any more photos ( Recent !!!!! ) of your progress ??? [1 edits; Last edit by Oz_Towdster at 04:07:36 Sat Dec 1 2007]

EG33

06:15:09 Sat
Dec 1 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

Oz Mosis

H A P P Y 40th! THUNDER-BUS

Thanks for the update... went back and looked at the photo and am still amazed that one section of tubing looks so "oval"... Ok, so you can knock $200 off my estimated resale price. Holiday special; $2300 US :smile:

But none the less. It's a work of art! Shame it's down low and basically out of site. Well, at least until you "get some air" under that puppy! lol

I've been in many a Baja-bug and busses. And it's a lot of fun just to even imagine what a blast it will be driving that bus with some serious..

*EG33 SuBee PoWeR*

Will have to look into the "belt tightner" reference you made. Always looking for new angles. If you can get me a email address (yahoo etc) I'll connect you with the EG33 related repair info I've collected. I'm sure you have simlar.. But I might have some new stuff that you can use in the future. You can never have too much!

Photos from home

I've been "arm chair" building my bug for a few months but have gotten re-energized with your Bus version of the EG33 transplant. With that in mind, maybe I can dust off my tool box and generate some new "progress photos" of my 67'. Maybe even some actual progress!

Don't mean to reply you to death on this one post. Respond @ your leasure...

Randy
Long Beach, Ca. USA
[remove]randy@microimage.net

[1 edits; Last edit by EG33 at 18:32:57 Sat Dec 1 2007]

Oz_Towdster

07:19:04 Sun
Dec 2 2007
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

So Randy with all this insperasion i have been giving you i hope your head down ass up this weekend on your project

EG33

11:55:38 Sun
Dec 2 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

OK! I'm Happily Working On It.. :smash8:

]

[Update]

Just stumpbled across this EG33/Transporter related web site... Worth taking a peek

Subee EG33 + VWBUS
[6 edits; Last edit by EG33 at 19:47:33 Mon Dec 10 2007]

EG33

22:55:24 Wed
Dec 5 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

More EG33/SVX pics.
i.e. Nicest "bottom end" this side of Playboy, in MHO!

A picture is worth a 1000 words. 7 main, forged counter weighted crank - factory.. Bottom end "built for a offroad bus!" :smile:

My EG33

This is one of the reasons that I think this motor is one of Subaru's best kept secrets. Now if they just could have put this in a lighter vehicle with a manual trans?

EG33

00:47:17 Sat
Dec 8 2007
Offline
36 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

OFF ROAD BUS?

A contradiction of terms? Thinking outside the BOX

OffroadGhia

14:55:45 Sat
Dec 15 2007
Offline
28 posts
Dreamer

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

Your Bus is going to be absolutely the coolest one I have seen. Final Color?, Skid Plates front/back?, roof rack? :confusedgreen:

What do you have planned for these?

Oz_Towdster

08:41:22 Sun
Jan 27 2008
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

Well i hope you all had a great chrissy etc , while i have been hard at it over here.
If all goes to plan it will be all go in approx 2 weeks no less , all ready for our big car show of the year " Dubs By The Pub "

OffroadGhia

22:39:54 Sun
Jan 27 2008
Offline
28 posts
Dreamer

EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( No New Pics?)

Oz,
Where are some new pics? you say almost done... how'd the interior and that fuel tank come out? and the wiring all done? Pics please...

Oz_Towdster

23:34:09 Sun
Jan 27 2008
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( No New Pics?)

Just about to go to the Bus now ( Bus is at our workshop approx 30 minutes away), and wil grab some pics while i'mm there.

Oz

Oz_Towdster

21:36:04 Fri
Feb 8 2008
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( No New Pics?)

Hi everybody,
Last night we got it running for the first time all be it only for approx 20 sec at atime as we don't have all sensors hooked up yet and the radiator is yet to be fitted , so no water.
But wow it sounds so sweet and smooth .
After the first little rev myself and my mate Brad looked at each other and our first words were each " we better look for some more gearboxs ".
Hopefully we won't need a new box all that often but shit it's gunna be fun trying.

vanaru33

01:40:03 Mon
Feb 11 2008
Offline
2 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

Gday Oz

I currently have a 1990 syncro with the eg33, unfortunately I am having engine rebuilt at Cnj motorsport and what I presumed from the engine failure was a spun rod...and the news today shows the crank is too far gone to be undersized and atm I am in the market for a crank. Very sad, but yeah it was due to the oil pan clearance, I would be very keen to check out your oilpan designs as well as the route you have done with your exhaust. Mine is on its last leg and it would be great to get an idea how you fitted yours. You will love the torque of this engine, you feel as though you are ready for take off as the whole front of the bus kicks up and screams give me wings!!! Im on the northside in brissy...Cheers and a job well done on your side indeed! have you heard of the kombi trip to the cape in May??? I was going to attempt this but with this engine failure and cost involve I wont be able to make it :sad:

---
Japanese engineered German sausage

Oz_Towdster

07:30:19 Mon
Feb 11 2008
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

Hi Vanaru33,
Great to see you here .
Do you ever take your syncro to any shows etc as i don't believe i'vve ever seen it.
Most people in the Qld / Australian VW seen know me more for my other rides which are my Meyers Towdster ( Currentley under restoration) and my old Meyers Manx which was blue with white wheels and a spare wheel mounted above the motor .
Since first starting this post myself and my wife Eileen also now own 50% of Custom Veedub ( Formally known as Custom Offroad) and the Baja Bus is currently stored there.
So if your in the area feel free to drop in for a look at my conversion ideas.
I would also like to have a good look at your sump to see where the problems lie so as this possible problem never gets duplicated.
Talk soon and i'll send you a PM with my contact details.

Andrew

Oz_Towdster

07:33:07 Mon
Feb 11 2008
Offline
30 posts
Dreamer
Reply

Re: Finally fitting my EG33 in our 77 Baja Bus ( Now with Pics)

people online in the last 30 minutes - 0 members, 0 anon and 0 guests. (Most ever was 224 at 00:28:22 Thu Jan 19 2012)

Total Members: 22072, Newest Member: 1970bajabug.