Hey everyone
The more I read here, the more I like the idea of putting a turbo subaru engine in my bug. I've seen 2.5 and a 2.0 turbo engines for sale, and a couple 2.0 twin turbos. My bug is a 58, and currently on hold as I build a bigger garage so I have room to work on it. My question is about aftermarket / stock controllers. Is there a disadvantage to the stock unit..something that can't be bypassed from the original vehicle? Also with aftermarket units like the Microtech and others, are any of them easy enough to set up yourself or do they all require professional setup with a dyno? I have checked with a couple of the parts yards around here, and most have the harness cut and engine pulled. The couple online places I have found look like the also don't have a full harness. Thanks for any help
Subaru control
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73notch
- Posts: 711
- Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2003 12:01 am
advantages of stock controler:
-no real tuning needed
-plug n play
disadvantages of stock controler:
-no real tuning, if you plan on putting on a different turbo etc
-wiring dilema
-pricey, harness and ecu=~500
aftermarket ecus will allow you to tune your car. you can tune it on a laptop by yourself depending on how much you understand about it, but it will still be limited, tuning it on a dyno by a pro will yield better results.
-no real tuning needed
-plug n play
disadvantages of stock controler:
-no real tuning, if you plan on putting on a different turbo etc
-wiring dilema
-pricey, harness and ecu=~500
aftermarket ecus will allow you to tune your car. you can tune it on a laptop by yourself depending on how much you understand about it, but it will still be limited, tuning it on a dyno by a pro will yield better results.
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rtms
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2004 4:21 pm
Is that the price of a factory controller and harness? Then I guess I'd get to cut it all apart to work with the car. well, the wiring doesn't bother me, I was more curious if using the stock controller, you had to deal with things like the factory theft system, or other options that it would be looking for that don't exist anymore. For the price, the stock box might not be a bad idea...don't know how much more the trans will be able to handle.-pricey, harness and ecu=~500
A question for those who have done this swap, does a modified trans hold up well. The plan is to be a quick, around town car with a rare visit to the strip. I read somewhere the conversion flywheel isn't the strongest? anyone with experience on this?
thanks again...you guys have a ton of info here.
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yllwveedub
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2004 2:26 pm
If you want to use the stock ecu and harness I would suggest going junkyard shoping. I got my motor, full harness, and ecu for $400. The wiring isn't the most fun thing ever (I'm currently trying to figure out what is wrong with mine, it is the only reason it isn't running right now). If you want to use the stock harness, I would also suggest not trying to run a JDM motor (such as the ej20 twin turbo).
As for after market engine manegement, definatly do your homework if that is the route you decide to go. From past experience with tuning, do all of the part throttle stuff on the street before you go to the dino to fine tune stuff (this will save lots of dino time). I do plan on going with an aftermarket setup once I get my car running and all the issue that I'm assuming I will have straightened out (stock power is never enough
).
73notch,
thanks for pointing out the ignition stuff about the mega squirt. The more I read about it, the more it seems like a reasonable option. The only thing I don't like is that is doesn't have the capability of retarding time due to knock (but at least you can log it).
As for after market engine manegement, definatly do your homework if that is the route you decide to go. From past experience with tuning, do all of the part throttle stuff on the street before you go to the dino to fine tune stuff (this will save lots of dino time). I do plan on going with an aftermarket setup once I get my car running and all the issue that I'm assuming I will have straightened out (stock power is never enough
).73notch,
thanks for pointing out the ignition stuff about the mega squirt. The more I read about it, the more it seems like a reasonable option. The only thing I don't like is that is doesn't have the capability of retarding time due to knock (but at least you can log it).
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didget69
Stock harness advantages
Major advantage to using stock computer & harness is that all bits are designed to work together - in my mind, it's best to get the vehicle up & running on stock components first, then modify to aftermarket ECU later.
ALSO, it is very important to get the harness & computer complete with the engine relays/ignitors/etc - best to purchase all bits from same car to ensure compatibility - some years of Subarus, while having same engine, did have variations in the ECM's - also, some years had different ECM's depending on whether the Sube had a manual or automatic trans -
The lists below represent the maximum of what may be used in a conversion. You may not need all the items on these lists.
1999-2003 Subaru 4 Cyl Conversion Parts Checklist
1 Engine Complete. Engine should include:
a. P/S Pump
b. Alternator
c. AC Compressor
d. All Vent Hoses
e. Engine Harness
f. Oil Pan
Engine to ECU Harness (uncut) Including Wiring to both oxygen sensors
ECU Engine Brain Box
Power supply Relay W/Bracket
Fuel Pump Relay
Oxygen Sensors (2)
Make sure the oxygen sensors plug into the harness as there is often a sub-harness used
Air Intake Tube (air flow meter to throttle body)
Air Flow Meter - where fitted
Air Cleaner Box
Alternator Harness (4 feet of harness) Also has A/C wires attached.
AC Hoses to and from Compressor (2)
Cruise Control Servo (May not fit the Vanagon depending on the year of the Subaru)
Catalytic Converters (If you plan on using these)
Pressure sensor & switching solenoid (located on right front strut tower. Some models do not have one or both of these)
Cribbed above info (borrowed) from Small Car...
http://www.smallcar.com/sparts.htm - for Subaru conversion bits - wiring harness kits at bottom of page to modify stock Sube harnesses
Bryan in NC
Safari buggy with Subaru 2.5 DOHC/Vanagon 091 6 rib trans swap
ALSO, it is very important to get the harness & computer complete with the engine relays/ignitors/etc - best to purchase all bits from same car to ensure compatibility - some years of Subarus, while having same engine, did have variations in the ECM's - also, some years had different ECM's depending on whether the Sube had a manual or automatic trans -
The lists below represent the maximum of what may be used in a conversion. You may not need all the items on these lists.
1999-2003 Subaru 4 Cyl Conversion Parts Checklist
1 Engine Complete. Engine should include:
a. P/S Pump
b. Alternator
c. AC Compressor
d. All Vent Hoses
e. Engine Harness
f. Oil Pan
Engine to ECU Harness (uncut) Including Wiring to both oxygen sensors
ECU Engine Brain Box
Power supply Relay W/Bracket
Fuel Pump Relay
Oxygen Sensors (2)
Make sure the oxygen sensors plug into the harness as there is often a sub-harness used
Air Intake Tube (air flow meter to throttle body)
Air Flow Meter - where fitted
Air Cleaner Box
Alternator Harness (4 feet of harness) Also has A/C wires attached.
AC Hoses to and from Compressor (2)
Cruise Control Servo (May not fit the Vanagon depending on the year of the Subaru)
Catalytic Converters (If you plan on using these)
Pressure sensor & switching solenoid (located on right front strut tower. Some models do not have one or both of these)
Cribbed above info (borrowed) from Small Car...
http://www.smallcar.com/sparts.htm - for Subaru conversion bits - wiring harness kits at bottom of page to modify stock Sube harnesses
Bryan in NC
Safari buggy with Subaru 2.5 DOHC/Vanagon 091 6 rib trans swap