Yup, I see the benefit of simple is better. I've always been the fix
it myself guy, but not as much with my SVX. I'm still learning, plus I
don't have the benefit of having done the conversion myself.
I am with Scott though, we sure are having fun with these things!
Miguel

'In heaven all the interesting people are missing.'
  - Friedrich Nietzsche

On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 4:29 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
>   Hi Miguel,
>
>   I am sure there are shops many places that'll work on the Subie
> transplants, but finding one whenever and where ever you might need one is
> probably more difficult than finding someone who can repair a VW Rabbit,
> Jetta, Golf, whatever inline four motor in a VW vehicle...Almost all the
> stuff is identical part numbers between a WBX and an inline...VW guys are
> familiar with it all and have no qualms diving in...Heck, I found a guy with
> a spare alternator bracket and a fitting water pump belt for my inline VW
> tranplant in Trona, California...population about 40..one garage only,
> middle of the Mojave desert..Sunday morning...I was only delayed about 4
> hours, and I needed the sleep anyhow.
>
>  For someone capable of doing their own repairs, complicated or not, the
> Subies are great...but if you're 'a pay someone to fix it' guy, you gotta
> find someone willing to do the job and that is more difficult when you mix
> brands in a transplant..
>
>   I guess if your problem occurs close to home where you know who to go to
> it's not a big deal.  And any vehicle can strand you.  I guess that is why
> people buy brand new ones and pay even more for "extended warrantees and
> roadside service coverage" etc etc..  New car breaks, you *try* to continue
> on in a rental car and get compensated later for your busted new
> car..."under warrantee"...
>   Me, I've had it with that kinda BS...I prefer a simple vehicle that I've
> been through and put into satisfactory working condition, one I can travel
> in without unnecessary complications and enjoy my trips...Finding a clever
> hardworking mechanic in some of the towns I sometimes frequent might be
> somewhat unlikely to happen...grin.
>
>   Don Hanson
>
> On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 2:03 PM, miguel pacheco <mundopacheco@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> In Durango, the Subaru dealer will not look at a transplant, but there
>> are three very good shops that will, no problem.
>> Miguel
>>
>> 'In heaven all the interesting people are missing.'
>>  - Friedrich Nietzsche
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 2:27 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >  I'd suggest, if you do find a Tiico "Kit" maybe find one without the SA
>> > motor and use an 1.8liter golf, Jetta, rabbit motor.  Everyone I have
>> > talked
>> > to seems to be quite happy with this set-up and they are inexpensive as
>> > well
>> > as very much simpler to work on than the Subie conversions seem to be.
>> >
>> >  Now all the Subie guys will say.."bull crap, the subie is simply the
>> > best
>> > and quite easy to deal with.."  but I submit that maybe if you did the
>> > conversion yourself and really learned everything about the stuff,  and
>> > if
>> > you are pretty handy and well versed in troubleshooting electrical
>> > cross-connections between different brands of motors, or if you have a
>> > good
>> > AAA tow policy to get it a possible very long tow or flatbed ride to
>> > someone
>> > who will work on a transplant..(VW shop or Subaru shop?...who do you
>> > think
>> > will agree to work on your transplanted subie conversion..)
>> >  well then maybe they are pretty simple...but on a backroad in Nevada or
>> > a
>> > small town in Montana or anywhere with limited access to good mechanics,
>> > you
>> > are more likely to find a competant VW mechanic that can fix a VW inline
>> > water cooled motor in a VW watercooled van than a guy who'll be able to
>> > knowledgably and effectivly troubleshoot and repair a cross connected
>> > Subaru/
>> > VW ...  I know the VW guy in my small town won't even look at a
>> > transplant...He says...Take it to Portland, about 100 miles away
>> >
>> >  Don Hanson
>> >
>> > On Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 1:54 PM, miguel pacheco
>> > <mundopacheco@gmail.com>wrote:
>> >
>> >> I sold Tiico on TheSamba, early last year. I believe it had 10K on it
>> >> when I sold it and never had any problems. The gentleman who purchased
>> >> it is very happy with it. It was not even close to what I needed in my
>> >> Syncro AW, though. Now it sports an SVX. Vroom, vroom!
>> >> In reference to what has already been mentioned, regarding other
>> >> conversion options :  I drove Maggie Dew's Westy, with the 2.2 Subie
>> >> and it felt perfectly suited. A very good driver, that van. Also drove
>> >> a Joker Westy high top with the 2.5 Subie. This one was very strong
>> >> runner. Beautiful conversion by FAST Automotive (I think that's the
>> >> correct name,) in Santa Fe. Now my Syncro AW SVX is simply
>> >> amazing.......In short, if you're going to stay with gas, this is a
>> >> great way to go, with plenty of resources. Have never driven a Zetec
>> >> so I can't comment. Seen one and it looked real nice and at home in
>> >> there......
>> >> Miguel
>> >>
>> >> 'In heaven all the interesting people are missing.'
>> >>  - Friedrich Nietzsche
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 1:55 PM, Troy <colorworks@gci.net> wrote:
>> >> > I saw one up on the Samba list a while back. You may have to scroll
>> >> through the various pages to find it, although a search may get you
>> >> there
>> >> too. I would be very wary about putting a Tiico in my van. You probably
>> >> are
>> >> aware the company is out of business and parts are scarce. To my
>> >> understanding this was a South African engine brought into the US, and
>> >> it
>> >> was never a great engine transplant to begin with. Lots of vibration
>> >> problems reported and nightmare after nightmare problems. Personally, I
>> >> would put extra money into a Subaru conversion or one of the Ford Zetec
>> >> conversions. I have the Subaru 2.2 in my 89 westy, and drive an outback
>> >> as
>> >> my daily drive (2.5). Both have been totally reliable, solid engines.
>> >> No
>> >> regrets whatsoever and going through Alaska winters, year after year
>> >> with
>> >> this things have proven their dependability.
>> >> >
>> >> > Good luck with whatever you decide,
>> >> >
>> >> > Troy
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >
>
>