Another new project... again. (VW diesel into Subaru Legacy wagon)

[Christ]

Ok, so after leaving the Golf sit on the hill for awhile, then driving it, I decided it simply needs too much work to continue "fixing it up" to anything respectable. The body work alone will constitute more than the value of a decent used car.

In the mean time, I picked up a Subaru Legacy wagon in decent body shape with high miles (+300k) in need of a trans, brake work, and some engine tuning.

However, since I had a friend of mine pull a trans for me (Thanks John), and I've got numerous VW engines and now no chassis to use them in, I've decided to mate a VW diesel to the Subaru trans. Now, mind you, 50HP simply wont be sufficient in this AWD chassis (for me, anyway), so the plan is to get it installed, then yank it back out and "fix" the engine (blown head gasket, etc) and turbo it, tune the injection pump up, etc, and have it making about 100+ HP, which will be more reasonable to my driving palate. (Not fast, but not seemingly immobile, either.)

I'll be retaining the Subaru AWD system in doing this, and for anyone interested, don't expect expedient progress on this. It's a pet project that I intend to work on "when I feel like it".

Pics to come.

[Christ]

Also, I can use several of the parts from the Golf for other projects. Most notably, the "newish" $300 set of sport coilovers are almost a direct swap for the Festiva, basically the most expensive part on the whole car.

The stainless hubcaps and wheels will fit after I swap to 4x100 hubs, as well, but they probably will be ignored in favor of alloyed 15 or 16" wheels.

The Subaru is definitely a "fixer upper", needing a bunch of updating work before it can be safely driven on the street, but rust repair is minimal, and should be a matter of gluing a few panels in place with body bond.

While fixing it, "performance" upgrades such as WRX suspension, solid mounts, and brake upgrades will likely be installed, depending on swap price versus parts price to rebuild/replace what's already there.

[jamiec]

Have you checked the the vw motor will fit in the short space from the gearbox to radiator in the subaru?

[Christ]

Originally Posted by jamiec

Have you checked the the vw motor will fit in the short space from the gearbox to radiator in the subaru?

Yep. The motor is 19" (over measured) from crank pulley to block/trans mount surface. There's just over 20" of space between the radiator fan and trans mount surface under the hood.

Even if I needed a bit more room, there's always slim fans and radiator mount modding that can get me another inch or two, as well as the trans mount being adjustable by about quarter of an inch or so.

I also bought solid mounts for the OEM engine and trans, which I'll be using in the swap as well. I need to look over a VW block and see what bosses I can use to mount the engine from the sides.

[Sven7]

Any reason why you're keeping the AWD? Seems like an odd combo but an interesting one nonetheless. When you're done, post it on VWVortex and watch people's reactions!

[Christ]

I like the idea of AWD availability when the weathers rough, and I live in the back country. Dirt roads, fields, etc.

I always use my vehicles to do work. The clutch in the subaru is about toasty because I used the car to pull my f250 w when it was buried to the axles, then used it again to pull trees down after they hung up on other trees.

[Sven7]

LOL, that's why my dad bought a JD 955! But doing it with a car is pretty badass.

[MetroMPG]

Topher! Working on interesting things again.

Mind if I flesh out your thread title to make it a bit more information-y/explanatory (instead of tease-y)?

[Christ]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Topher! Working on interesting things again.

Mind if I flesh out your thread title to make it a bit more information-y/explanatory (instead of tease-y)?

Do what ya gotta do, man. I've always been respectful of your need to inform.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I'm just waiting the warranty of my dad's Impreza to expire and then I'll probably also do a Volkswagen swap, altough I might go with a TDI. BTW an uncle of mine adapted this same older 50hp 1.6IDI into a Suzuki Vitara, and without any hypermiling attempt could get 42 to 45mpg constantly.