What subaru are you looking at?  
The EJ22 2.2 liter and EJ25 2.5 liter that most people install are wide open and very easy to work on.  The word 'crowded' is the last word I would use to describe it.  It fits into the engine compartment better than the WBX, with more room on the sides and rear.  They have no distributor, but the coil pack and plug wires and such are right on top and easy to get at.
-Hans

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Zoltan" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 11:19 PM
Subject: V8 into Vanagon?

I was looking at a Subaru today and could not find one spark plug or wires.  It seems very crawded in there.  How would I work on it if I put one into mine?!  Yes, I know it is a nice engine and more powerful and so on.  But.  Being in the US, would it not make better sense to put a V6 or a V8 of American origin in there?  I am sure this subject has been hammered from day one, but I don't remember reading about it on the list.  I have seen aluminum V6 out of a boat that looked beautiful and compact.  The 350 Chevy engine is famous.  Heavy, I know.  But it is simple and powerful.  Easy to work on, cheap parts, etc.
What is the general opinion of the members?
Zoltan