The 230HP Vanagon VX

Subaru SVX 230HP four cam,
24 valve six cylinder boxer engine

My Vanagon Fantasy - 2000

It's 1991 and the VW engineers are up against the wall. They need to upgrade the Vanagon to compete against the new Minivans so they place a call to Porsche for advice on a new powerplant. The engineers at Porsche say "Ya, we will send some drawings over next week". The Porsche design arrives and the engine is a six cylinder boxer with four cams and four valves per cylinder. I believe this is what VW should have done instead of building the Eurovan. The challenge is to do it as well or better than Volkswagen. In my opinion a difficult but not impossible job.

Vanagon VX Reality

I honestly feel my Vanagon is now more reliable than it has ever been. The engine starts quickly, idles so quietly you sometimes forget it's running and has so much reserve power that you never feel you are taxing it in the least. The Van is so much more pleasurable to drive that you have to wonder why VW did not build a better engine for them. I have driven dozens of Vanagons hundreds of thousands of miles but only now fully realize what great cars they really are.

After a long drive in a Vanagon VX, you will find that you have arrived at your destination in a shorter time but also more relaxed and more safely as well.

The Installation

Here is the boxer nestled snugly in the Vanagon bay. It fits very nicely, just like it was made to go there. There is still plenty of room for servicing things like spark plugs and filters.

A rear view showing the clearance to the ground. The skid plate and the engine crossbar are at the stock height so no ground clearance is lost. Metric sized steel was used to extend the skid plate approximately seven inches. The substantial muffler support is integrated into the rear engine mount and moves with the motor rather than the chassis.

If you're going to make it go, you've got to make it stop! Vented, larger diameter rotors with bigger calipers in the front and SmallCar designed vented disc brakes replace the original drum brakes in the rear. 16" wheels and performance tires complete the traction package.

Warranty

All new parts have a 6 months or 6,000 mile warranty. Used parts have a 30 day warranty. Extended warranties are available on request. If the vehicle cannot be returned to us for warranty service, repairs at another location should be authorized with us before the repairs are completed. Diagnosis is not covered unless it is performed in our shop.

Payment terms

Before arrival of your Vanagon we generally get a deposit of approximately the engine cost to acquire and prepare the Subaru engine.
Upon delivery of your Vanagon for the installation, a 50% deposit is required with the balance due upon completion of the work.

There is a $15.00 per day storage fee after 5 days.

Vanagon VX Features

New design engine mount

Retains the original Vanagon crossbar and allows use of the Syncro skid plate. Also provides for solid muffler mounting.

Shortened oil pan and headers
keep existing ground clearance and the
ability to fit the Syncro skid plate.

Engine management computer located in original location under the rear seat.

Comments after 4000 miles

Warren Chapman: "The Carrera 4 of Vanagons. The power and torque are effortless in almost any gear. The sound is wonderful"
Numbers of different people: "Wow, the engine looks like it was made to go there"

DJ after a test drive: "I found myself thinking all kinds of bad thoughts...can I get a speeding ticket in a Vanagon? ...can I pass others on a hill? ...can I do 100mph? I began to realize I wasn't breathing, I was too busy smiling"

Even though I've probably driven 500,000 miles in various Vanagons, I have only now begun to appreciate what a great car it is. That's the essence of this experience. We gave the Van an extra 150 horsepower, better brakes, and it loved it !.......me too.

Mileage

After 5000 miles of driving, the mileage is averaging around 17 MPG. I have not managed to keep speeds down to 65-75 on highway trips long enough to see what could be possible at those speeds.

Emissions

An emissions test after a 450 mile break in period shows very low emissions:

1. Idle CO: .01% HC: 25PPM
2. Cruise CO: .02% HC: 50PPM

About the engine

This Subaru engine is the most impressive motor I have come across in my 35 years of automotive experience. It is state of the art with 7 main bearings, 4 valves per cylinder and four cams driven by a toothed belt. Still a non-interference engine, It will not self destruct if the cam belt breaks. It features an engine management computer capable of learning as you drive with input from crank and cam position sensors, a knock sensor, two oxygen sensors and it controls the spark, fuel injectors, and timing. It has no distributor, cap, rotor, or plug wires. The stock horsepower is rated at 230 at 5400 RPM and the redline is an impressive 7000. With our free flowing 2 1/4" exhaust system, the motor is producing an estimated 240 horsepower. These numbers put the Vanagon Syncro on a par with many of the new sports cars and SUV's from BMW and Mercedes.

The most amazing thing might be that you can go around a right hand city street corner in third gear and just drive smoothly away with no hiccups or vibration.

The Cost

The cost to install a 3.3 six cylinder in a Vanagon 2wd or a Syncro is $9500 plus the cost of the motor, which is generally between $2500 and $3500.

Engines available January 2009

1992 SVX 3.3L with 105,000 miles, $1950

What's Included

1. Smallcar bellhousing
2. SmallCar designed stainless steel header
3. Custom manufactured engine mount system
4. Stage II clutch
   
5. New engine mounts, modified for more strength
6. New - Dipstick checking available behind license plate door
7. 2 1/4" exhaust system and high-flow catalytic converter
8. Shortened oil pan, pickup and windage tray
9. Intake and filter box modifications
   Installation of two or three oxygen sensors
10. Stainless exhaust tip
11. Replacement starter
12. Speed sensor
13. All installation labor, fluids, etc.

Optional items

1. Air Conditioned cars - $485
   Note: This cost is based on a Van with properly functioning A/C.
2. Cruise control (if already equipped and operating) - $150
3. Westfalia with extra battery/refrigerator - $125
4. 8,000 RPM tach face $125
5. White Gauge faces with 8K tach $225
6. Syncro skid plate refitting $150
7. K&N Air Filter $60
8. NEW Stage 1 V4 ECU Module
9. Ceramic coat exhaust $250
10. Wheel and tire upgrades
11. 11" vented front brakes
12. 10.4" rear disc brakes
13. OME, HD shocks
14. HD springs
    
15. Transmission repairs or 4th gear changes
16. Limited slip differential
17. Maintenance items on the Vanagon
18. Maintenance items on the engine