[T2] Transmission Compatability

[David Kelly]

Hello John,

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I removed my transmission and tore it down. I replaced all the seals and adjusted the shims to remove some play. This transmission has never given me any problems and has never popped out of gear. It just seeped fluid out of the seals. I figured that it would run better with some taller gears for freeway travel. Other than that I don't know what else to upgrade. 

I looked into the Corvair swap. I shied away because of the cost, availability of parts and service. 

The Subie conversion that I was explained uses a Volvo radiator under the belly with 2 10" hi velocity fans. He claimed that he had plenty of air flow and no cooling issues other than working the air bubbles out. He admits that the process did have some hiccups. I have seen some hokey conversions that I wouldn't want to buy second hand. I don't want it to look like a high school science experiment or something off of Junk Yard Wars. I am mechanically inclined, i weld, and worked in a body shop for 5 years so I don't mind a creative project, but I'm no machinist or engine builder. I cannot afford to learn the hard way on expensive parts. I'll leave that part to the experts. 

You are right about the age of the Subie motors. It would probably come from a mid 90's model. I looked at Bostig's website. I will give them a call and pick their brains too. Gathering info while I finish the body. I'm getting there. I just hope I finish while my kids are young enough to go camping. 

Cheers and thanks!
David 



Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 19, 2013, at 12:53 AM, John Anderson <wvukidsdoc at yahoo.com> wrote:

> David, I'd toss in a few things.
>  
> This is the standard, be sure what you really want.  First, no difference between a strongly built late 002 and 091 really, both could be built to handle a solid 130-150 hp, but both will need some upgrades to do it reliably if you beat on it, your early box, I don't know.  But many a Corvair and several a 911 mill, and Toyota 2REs, and 1800 subies, and in vanagons countless 2.2 and 2.5s run behind stock 002s, 091s, and 091/1s (which are probable weaker) for 10,000s of miles without upgrade, so I think your early box will hand it for a while...   When you did rebuild, no benefit to the Vanagon box, just headaches.  A bus 091 is no weaker, the Vanagon side shifter is no better, and adapting it to work would be a nightmare for no benefit.
>  
> Best bet for going in, a quality 091 Bus box built by a quality place.
>  
> No the crux of the matter, a 2.2 or 2.5 subie in a bay.  Sure, you could, for a Vanagon an early 2.2 twin cam is my favorite mill of all time, balances power, mileage, reliability, smoothness, tranny life span but think carefully.  In a bay you got lots, and lots, and lots of plumbing.  The permutations are endless, radiator on roof, up in front using SA parts, up in front behind fake spare tire enclosure, twin scirocco radiators mounted in the sides of the engine compartment, endless, and all take major tinkering.  And for what exactly?  To have the hassle of then a cobbled together electrical/injection system, and cobbled engine mounting strategy, exhaust, etc, etc?  If you want to go down that route, and aren't mechanically able enough to put together your own T1 (not knocking you here, just saying think carefully) I'd be really worried about what you'd get into price wise to have it done.  It isn't just the $700-1000 for a used engine, it is the labor to make it fit and work.  And hell the subie has even fallen out of favor with the Vanagon world moving toward the Bostig Ford conversions cause they are cheaper and more plentiful and damn near as smooth as the Subie boxer (many argue smoother.)  One could of course presumably go that route and roll your own everything as well.  Subie 2.2's are wonderful as I said, but are getting old at this point, so even if the miles are low, the electricals are just as suspect as any other 10-15+ year old system.
>   
> 
>