| Subject: | Re: Suburu/Golf debate |
| From: | Mark Dorm |
| Date: | Thu, 4 Jan 2001 13:28:31 -0800 |
<html><DIV> <P>What kind of horsepower does a suburu legacy motor give you? <BR><BR></P></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>>From: "Pidcoe, Michael E." <MPIDCOE@US.IMSHEALTH.COM> <DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: "Pidcoe, Michael E." <MPIDCOE@US.IMSHEALTH.COM> <DIV></DIV>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: Suburu/Golf debate <DIV></DIV>>Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 12:53:10 -0500 <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>I went through this personal debate myself. I have been a VW nut for many <DIV></DIV>>years and deep in my heart I wished to have an all-german van. In the end I <DIV></DIV>>used my brain instead. <DIV></DIV>>I chose the Subaru for several reasons. Bear in mind that these are my <DIV></DIV>>opinions and I am sure that there will be many folks who disagree. <DIV></DIV>>1. The engine is what VW should have built in the first place. A fully <DIV></DIV>>balanced opposed engine that is quiet and smoooooth. Many owners have <DIV></DIV>>reported the fine experience of not knowing if their van is still running at <DIV></DIV>>idle. Another phenomenon is the ability to hold quiet conversations with <DIV></DIV>>passengers who are in the rear seat. <DIV></DIV>>2. The KEP kit is very nice and requires minimal modifications. <DIV></DIV>>3. I chose to have someone else to the conversion for me and I found a <DIV></DIV>>place that has done over a dozen conversions and the customers to whom I <DIV></DIV>>spoke were delighted. <DIV></DIV>>4. The inline engines are buzzy. <DIV></DIV>>5. The Subaru has more STOCK hp and torque. I knew that I could hotrod an <DIV></DIV>>inline but it was my goal to have a reliable and low-maintenance van. <DIV></DIV>>6. The support community is fantastic for these conversions. The links <DIV></DIV>>that Warren supplied will show you that. <DIV></DIV>>7. Everything fits under the lid with no cutting. The outfit doing my <DIV></DIV>>conversion uses factory hoses that make the installation look stock. <DIV></DIV>>8. The engines are inexpensive. You could buy a couple used Subaru engines <DIV></DIV>>for the price a single quality rebuild of a WBX. <DIV></DIV>>9. A peak at this address <DIV></DIV>>http://www.cycoactive.com/urabus/urabus_registry.html will show you just a <DIV></DIV>>few of the owners and their opinions. <DIV></DIV>>10. The KEP kit is completely CARB approved so there are no emissions <DIV></DIV>>hassles. <DIV></DIV>>There is more but I do not want to waste more bandwidth. <DIV></DIV>>I know that there are many stories of WBX engines going multiple thousands <DIV></DIV>>of miles with no problems but these are usually restricted to original <DIV></DIV>>owners with exceptional maintenance habits. Since most of us are buying <DIV></DIV>>these vans used, we do not have the luxury of immaculate maintenance. It is <DIV></DIV>>much easier and less expensive to find a good used '90-'94 2.2 Subaru engine <DIV></DIV>>than it is to rebuild an 80's WBX. <DIV></DIV>>My opinion for what its worth, <DIV></DIV>>Mike Pidcoe <DIV></DIV><br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p></html>
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