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Jake doing Subarus?!?...
I got a newsletter update the other day announcing a new arm of the Raby empire, RED. It mentions that they are about to start doing Subaru stuff. I am both excited and alarmed by this. Who would have ever thought this would come to pass?
Jeff-
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No current VW projects 54 Chevy wagon LS2 AWD 56 Chevy Panel "Lost Cause" VKG Bastage child |
#2
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I got the mail also! Itīs been discussed on his forums aswell.He will be offering subaru conversion kits in the future.The type 4 programm will be limited to various versions of his 2270.
According to Jake,one reason is the parts situation and cost to build the type 4.Also the subaru is another big market that he wants to compete in.I am anxious to see what he comes up with and what the cost will be! I am sticking with the type 4 though.But if my engine explodes into a million pieces,a suby might be an option. |
#3
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I looked for a thread over on that forum but I guess I missed it.
I would LOVE to see Jake do a full Suby conversion on something! Just to see how he would handle some of the engineering challenges. Can you imagine going back ten years and telling Jake he would be doing Subaru conversions in 2011? Jeff-
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No current VW projects 54 Chevy wagon LS2 AWD 56 Chevy Panel "Lost Cause" VKG Bastage child |
#4
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I canīt blame him for going suby,itīs a huge market and the engine, at least the EJ20 and EJ22, are very well made and there is no parts shortage. |
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Harder to get good cores and parts (bearings, pushrod tubes, stock size P&C's...) to build a T4 to his standards. I think his other division for water cooled late model Porsche's has helped the trans to subies. What ever he does will be the best it can possibly be though.
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1970 T1 W/MassIVe 2913cc RAT/?EFI? w/direct fire (very soon) and 915 trans 1962 SC 1776cc SP 944NA brakes, 993 wheels VKG |
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I find it funny how he vehemently opined against subaru's saying they ruined the heart and soul of a vw or porsche, but now he's finally come around. Jake is a brilliant guy who, if he puts his heart into the subie like he did the type 4, could be the next cosworth. I'd love to get on to a turbo ej25 pilot program if/when he has openings.
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I would guess that Jake's main emphasis will be on street engines instead of all out power.That has always been his philosophy and where most of his customers come from.My guess would be a reliable,long-life 300hp turbo package.Nowadays people want airconditioning and a real heater,less maintenance.In other words just like their daily commute Toyota or what ever,only faster.A modern car basically in a beetle body.He and LN Engineering are slso developing Nickies for the suby also.
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Jake got in contact with me a few months back about this new project and he's doing it for the same reasons nearly all of us do.
The EJ engines are everywhere, bullet proof over engineered engines with lots of potential for improvement and low cost.
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1974 Germanlook 1303 SUBA-beetle Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", topline suspension, 4 wheel discs and A/C |
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I received the same email. I think it is a huge market! These conversions had been for a long time and a couple of companies had one or two products for them. But if he puts the same efforts on these, he can came with some quality conversion parts and or kits to make our conversions easier with some sick power!
I already have my conversion sump! |
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Fortunately for me for the last 2.5 years I've been part of the furniture at the local Suby specialist here, the owner is an old VW nut from way back and has a real interest in my car and conversion and has helped out heaps with it.
We've not long built up a new EJ25 for it. Being there frequently I've seen alot of what goes on with these engines. Aside from head gaskets the main issues coming in are caused by operator error rather than the engines fault. The turbo engines are far more problematic, spun bearings is the most common one but it's more from how they are driven, you don't buy a turbo car to drive like a grandma. As long as all the maintenance is adhered to they last very well. nearly all the N/A engines with 300,000KM+ still have the cross hatching in the bores. People not changing oil, coolant, filters, timing belts, water pumps at recommended intervals is what causes problems and thats the same with any engine, I dealt with enough problem child Type 4 engines at the VW garage to last a lifetime but thats cos busses are driven hard and not maintained.
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1974 Germanlook 1303 SUBA-beetle Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", topline suspension, 4 wheel discs and A/C |
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Hi B-rock, hereīs his website/Blog with some of his projects and history of the car. http://turbokaefer.com/
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This whole thing has dampened my enthusiasm for getting a Type 4 for my next project. In fact, it has me second-guessing my next project.
I subscribed to Jake's updates for his Suby path as I try to maintain an open mind but if a water-cooled engine is the latest and greatest for Beetle, Thing, etc., I might as well just get another water-cooled Dub. There are plenty of those around I would like and I would have less trouble finding one that I would have to undo the previous owner's vision.
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(2004-2008): 1971 1302 w/2056 Searching for a new project ... |
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