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My 73 Beetle, Subaru conversion.

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 8:26 pm
by Prtexx
Here are some pictures of my latest project a 1973 rust free Standard Beetle just finished putting a 2.2 Subaru motor. The project was fairly easy, the only aftermarket part was the adapter plate. built my own speed sensor, exhaust. cooling system, did the wire harness, shortened the pan, converted the gas tank for EFI use, built a custom front grill and modified a racing Honda CRX radiator. Has been a fun job and all the work was completed in my shop in just over month. Already have over 250 miles since the conversion and love it.

Re: My 73 Beetle, Subaru conversion.

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:52 am
by saggs
Nice job Steve, had you done one of these conversions before? Any idea what this cost you along with a good used motor? I like the small grill in the front does it also cool from underneath and did you have to modify the luggage area very much?

Re: My 73 Beetle, Subaru conversion.

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 6:00 am
by Prtexx
Thanks Saggs. I started the Beetle conversion while in the middle of doing a 79 Westy for a friend. The cost has been averaging around $3k, the Beetle (rust free) was done under 3K and that included buying the stock body. I have done 3 harnesses already they are not that difficult The Beetle has some extra louvers just underneath just behind the grill the temps run anywhere from 185 to 205 at 75 MPH steady at 185. I have the ecu running the fan and it kicks on at 203. I make my own manifold extensions and it reverses the TBI also putting the acc cable on the correct side to match VW. I didn't modify the luggage tray the only mods are to the front for the grill and mounting the radiator in the spare tire well. I buy complete cars and take what I need saves money and you can test drive the car they run from $500 to $1000. I am just finishing up a 64 Bus have been working on it 2 weeks already, should be test driving next weekend if all goes well. I like the SOHC engines they are not so bulky and fit well. Feel free to ask any questions

Re: My 73 Beetle, Subaru conversion.

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 12:19 pm
by saggs
Awesome job, thx for the info. I just finished a long resto on my 56 oval and put a T4 lump in it. I have a 67 westy that I was thinking of putting a T4 in and going to irs but maybe the suby motor w/ irs would be cheaper? Yours are fuel injected? How do you work the cooling system on an older bus? Can you cool it properly w/out hacking up the nose?

Re: My 73 Beetle, Subaru conversion.

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 12:30 pm
by Prtexx
I have posted elsewhere on the forum about the cooling system, I don't like cutting up the old bodies and try to work around doing that checkout http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... 9&t=140650

Re: My 73 Beetle, Subaru conversion.

Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:54 pm
by Prtexx
Finally had time to get back to the Bug now that the bus is running finished the radiator cover. Made it out of aluminum should work well.

Re: My 73 Beetle, Subaru conversion.

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:32 am
by Prtexx
What a a weekend narrowed my front beam 2.5 inches last week with no problems. Ordered new balljoints and they were stolen off my front porch friday morning. Bought some locally for twice the money and during the installation I cut one of the boots. Finally got it all together went for a test drive and the right side front bearing seized up, after two hours was able to get what was left of the bearing off the spindle and salvage it (dropped spindle) put everything together with a different drum that had a rought spot but I figured no big deal it's just temporary and went for another test drive at 35 mph I hit the brakes and the pass side front wheel locked up and started grinding. Home again and took things apart the rough spot on the drum caught the liner on the brake shoe and yanked it off. finally got it all together again sunday morning with new bearings and brake shoes. Can't believe Autozone had the parts bearings and shoes (sunday) and all for under $50.

Re: My 73 Beetle, Subaru conversion.

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 6:28 am
by Prtexx
Thanks it's been a fun project I drive it everyday the power is great on such a light car. Fools most people since it looks stock.

Re: My 73 Beetle, Subaru conversion.

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 6:35 am
by Prtexx
I like building unusual cars but want them to look normal built this last year to show what can be done with left over VW parts.