subaru for pancake

[slick rick]

hey guys need a little input,been reading a lot about the subaru swap and my question is will this replace a pancake engine and whats involved.now my 1500 pancake is sweet ,but hear a lot of good things about this trade off.thought i would go ahead and get it all bought when its time, just a lot of thinking on my part.:

[Moon Dawg]

There is a lot of info on the Type1 vs Subaru engine on TheSamba.com

TheSamba.com :: View topic - Subaru Engines Vs. VW Engines

[slick rick]

thanks moon dawg,but i think if a type111 can be replaced with a subaru im willing to change.my question is can it with just a small amount of trouble ha ha again thanks

[rbourne3]

It is more than a little trouble, but not a lot. I think the adapter kit is about $500 from Kennedy engineering. Then you need a radiator and plumbing. I think the last of the carbed motors were made in the late 80s/early 90s and are hard to find here in northeast Florida. I'd say you can do it for $1000.

[slick rick]

thanks rbourne 3 ,I think my question is will it be that much better than the pancake engine.I am one of those personalities that is never pleased ,SO MY WIFE WILL SAY,always wanting to be a little different.The engine and trike are both great but always planning ahead.I am new to a trike still got my bike but may sell in spring.being new i bought trike road ready but still got to make it my own.Always looking at other builders have seen some great builders and even think i have seen some of yours.So thanks again i may just decide to do a v six buick trike just for the heck of it never know.

[vwmaniac]

The subie engine swap is a lot better motor than the vw, if that is what you are asking,'
And you will not regret the swap.Morepower than the vw .

[ctg2]

check out TrikerBob page over on Brothers of the third wheel site it's under links (BTW members page ) he built a few of them

[Moon Dawg]

...can it with just a small amount of trouble ...

There are some issues but none are too difficult to solve if you do a lot of planning and homework...and have the money. It is not a simple bolt-on modification from EMPI

The Kenedy Engineering Products adapter solves the problem of mounting the engine to the VW transaxle - that one is solvedby throwing $500 at it but you will need to solve the clutch issues with more money -
KEP: Subaru/Van General Info


Deciding on carb or EFI...
If you use a carb you need to find a distributor that will fit the EJ20 - Unsolved; you will need to make a carb:intake manifold adapter - easy if you have the tools and the skills; and you need to come up with throttle linkage - unsolved

If you use EFI you need the computer from the vehicle or a suitable replacement such as the megasquirt as well as a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science to make it all work. you will need to convert your throttle to drive by wire

Then you need to add the radiator to your trike without making it look like a hack job...

The rear mounted position is easy but not enough air gets through the radiator to cool the motor...you need to add air ducts etc to flow air through the radiator even if you have fans attached to the radiator.

Triker Bobs site: Converting to Subaru page 8

address the cooling issue.

You will need a custom exhaust system...ground clearance may be an issue for exhaust as well as the oil pan to ground clearance


Then the added horsepower will cause something to break...most likely the transaxle.

[slick rick]

hey guys thanks but moon dog makes a lot of sense.I think a new build would better than fitting a radiator and every thing else on a very nice fiberglass kit with know issues.I have read Triker Bobs sites and love the information he brings to the table. I dont have problems with the type lll and the pulling power it pulls a trailer just fine.I think a new build may be the way to go and ride this one.One day guys someone will help with posting pictures computer jack;;; but getting better.

[vwmaniac]

I'll take a subie any day over a vw, sure there are going to be issue's in doing the swap, but what build is not interesting and fun, just take 1 step at a time and think it thru, Just my 2 cents.

[Rsw]

I’ll stick with the VW motor. Went with VW’s to get away from computers, fuel injection and all the headaches of a modern motor. The more I learn and work on a VW motor, the more I like them.

[vwmaniac]

RSW,
Don't blame you one bit, but there are ways around all the computer stuff on a subie motor, just get one that has a carb on it and go for it, I like vw motors too, but for what they want for a new rebuilt one, heck always looking for another way, grinn.
Glad you are enjoying the vw .

[Rsw]

RSW,
Don't blame you one bit, but there are ways around all the computer stuff on a subie motor, just get one that has a carb on it and go for it, I like vw motors too, but for what they want for a new rebuilt one, heck always looking for another way, grinn.
Glad you are enjoying the vw .

My long block was $1400.00 without a core. 10 years from now there will still be a demand for VW motors and parts will still be avalible. The Subaru motors you are using will be obsolete.

[vwmaniac]

You might be right, but I may not be around in 10 years, so why not enjoy it while you can,

[Rsw]

You might be right, but I may not be around in 10 years, so why not enjoy it while you can,

I'm there with you on that!! Subaru's are excellent vehicles and the motors should last a person a lifetime. I am sure after a person gets the conversion done, it will make for a very fine trike.

[slick rick]

hey guys love these conversations about who has the biggest one,but think i will stay with what i got .Did the research and believe with the changes and expense not worth the trade off.Have found the type 111 is a good little motor pulls hills with or without trailer just fine.Now this is all i need to enjoy my rides.really love the information you can learn alot just by asking.

[Rsw]

If you ever do need anymore power you can always just put a set of 1600 jugs and pistons in.

[slick rick]

thanks RSW really do have all the power i need at this point.57 is not 27 need for speed just not as important as once was.Now dont get me wrong still love to ride hard just not as fast.More laid back, than hammer down, age i guess.The reason i bought this type trike did not wont a cookie cutter trike.Considered a goldwing trike but wife convinced me did not look like a goldwing rider,now dont misunderstand,could be best motorcycle ever built.I think i will leave it like it is and make it bigger and better if needed.