914-Subaru 6 |
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914-Subaru 6 |
MM1 |
Jun 21 2021, 12:33 PM
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#1
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914 obsession continues Group: Members Posts: 608 Joined: 9-May 18 From: Thousand Oaks, CA Member No.: 22,105 Region Association: Southern California |
I have been looking closely at a '74 914 with an EG33 Subaru H-6 (timing belt no variable valve stuff-OBD I). It sounds glorious but is leaking oil profusely (cam and crankshaft seals?), has a badly hacked cooling setup, needs a complete suspension redo as well as some bodywork/paint (transaxle and shifter bushings),exhaust redo etc. I thought I could drop a tested EG33 in - but I only found one (questionable and untested private sale) on craigslist up North. A SoCal Subaru specialist told me he hasn't seen one in quite a while -guess they we're gobbled up by Vanagons . . .and the company that does/did many of those conversions (asfaik)won't even make/sell a (Vanagon) harness for an EZ30 (OBD II) or newer Subi H-6 (canbus).
If you have or had a 914 with any Subaru H-6 conversion (especially the EG33), can you please provide any links to your threads and/or any experience, info, opinions? |
mepstein |
Jun 21 2021, 01:08 PM
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#2
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,272 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Scott Amerson knows a bunch about Subi's and conversions. Amerson here on World. He's doing my Suby eg33 conversion and helping to fix a lot of my mistakes. I bought a complete, running SVX for $500. Rented a uhail trailer and towed it home. My regular mechanic pulled the engine for $100. I puled the main harness in the parking lot and then gave the chassis to my mechanic. He got rid of it and made ~$200. I used the engine and the main harness from it and had a vw bus conversion guy do the harness conversion for 500. He tested it on a spare engine.
From the sound of it, I wouldn't pay much for the conversion you looked at. I bet the owner wants to get rid of it more than you want it. LOL. Good luck and reach out if I can help in any way. I was told by a Suby tech that Subaru no longer supports EG33 so they are not a hot commodity. I'm sure you can still find parts but maybe not at your local flaps. I noticed the big SVX site pretty much shut down. Doesn't mean you shouldn't use an svx but may help your negotiation. Maybe the one your looking at just needs a reseal. I don't know. |
MM1 |
Jun 21 2021, 01:18 PM
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#3
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914 obsession continues Group: Members Posts: 608 Joined: 9-May 18 From: Thousand Oaks, CA Member No.: 22,105 Region Association: Southern California |
I'm sure you're right, Sir - lol - I thought 14k was too much.
Thank you for the advice and support as always! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) |
Chris H. |
Jun 21 2021, 01:23 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 4,030 Joined: 2-January 03 From: Chicago 'burbs Member No.: 73 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
I have been looking closely at a '74 914 with an EG33 Subaru H-6 (timing belt no variable valve stuff-OBD I). It sounds glorious but is leaking oil profusely (cam and crankshaft seals?), has a badly hacked cooling setup, needs a complete suspension redo as well as some bodywork/paint (transaxle and shifter bushings),exhaust redo etc. I thought I could drop a tested EG33 in - but I only found one (questionable and untested private sale) on craigslist up North. A SoCal Subaru specialist told me he hasn't seen one in quite a while -guess they we're gobbled up by Vanagons . . .and the company that does/did many of those conversions (asfaik)won't even make/sell a (Vanagon) harness for an EZ30 (OBD II) or newer Subi H-6 (canbus). If you have or had a 914 with any Subaru H-6 conversion (especially the EG33), can you please provide any links to your threads and/or any experience, info, opinions? If the EG33 is running well it's probably fine. They are pretty bulletproof generally. There are several areas where oil can leak profusely. It could be the crank seal, valve cover gaskets, oil pan seal, but it is probably all of them. Mine was dripping oil pretty badly when I pulled the SVX in to the garage. You would need a reseal kit which is a couple hundred bucks last I checked. The cooling setup we can help you with. Pretty easy to rectify. I also have all of the shop manuals and wiring diagrams in PDF. If the trans is a stock 914 you should plan to swap it for a Subaru 5 or 6 speed. Pretty much the same as a rebuild and the trans bolts right up with no adapter. Bottom line is...how much is it? *edit* - $14k is way too much given what might be wrong in your description. |
mepstein |
Jun 21 2021, 01:27 PM
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#5
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,272 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I'm sure you're right, Sir - lol - I thought 14k was too much. Thank you for the advice and support as always! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) I think half of that might be too much. I was thinking 5K If the chassis is ok it might still be good as a conversion car. But not for 14. The former owner of my car hacked the rear trunk bulk head - completely removed it, cut out all the engine shelf and "installed" a cage that I cut out and threw in the scrap metal bin. So it was a great car for a conversion. |
MM1 |
Jun 21 2021, 01:46 PM
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#6
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914 obsession continues Group: Members Posts: 608 Joined: 9-May 18 From: Thousand Oaks, CA Member No.: 22,105 Region Association: Southern California |
Thank you, Gentlemen!
Front left was hit, fender replaced, jackpoints look good, rear was hacked for throttle bodies (air intake in in the trunk), probably needs a 1st/reverse slider etc. 5K - wow he's asking almost triple that . . .I need to re-think this. I definitely would love to get those pdf's @Chris H and see pics/threads of your cars . . . I managed to do a compression test on it without too much trouble (on a lift though) - wanted to do a leak-down but that was too much to ask on Father's Day . . .point is, I realize there's just enough room to work on basic maintenence with this particular swap . . .love that it never needs valve adjustment! If I do go Eg33, it looks like it may be be better to start from scratch vs buying this car. Your advice here is priceless - we'll at least worth 14k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
mepstein |
Jun 21 2021, 01:50 PM
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#7
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,272 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Everyone who I talked to about a Suby swap said the Suby MT5 was as important as the engine.
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MM1 |
Jun 21 2021, 02:18 PM
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#8
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914 obsession continues Group: Members Posts: 608 Joined: 9-May 18 From: Thousand Oaks, CA Member No.: 22,105 Region Association: Southern California |
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Chris914n6 |
Jun 21 2021, 03:23 PM
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#9
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Jackstands are my life. Group: Members Posts: 3,320 Joined: 14-March 03 From: Las Vegas, NV Member No.: 431 Region Association: Southwest Region |
The eg33 only came in the SVX which didn't sell well, so parts/donors will be hard to find. I wouldn't go that way when the ez30 is current & popular & cheap.
My swap is obd2 (97) and it wasn't hard to wire up to the basic 914 electrics. CANBUS is a totally different can of worms and should be avoided. But there are several aftermarket EFI that are PnP for the Suby. The Subaru trans swap is more involved and more moola but it's more better in every way. |
Chris H. |
Jun 21 2021, 04:02 PM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 4,030 Joined: 2-January 03 From: Chicago 'burbs Member No.: 73 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Either is a great engine. There are still plenty of parts available for the EG33, and in many cases you can use sensors and other common items from other Subarus. Not many SVX's left but still an engine or two on CL. One of the many reasons the SVX's did not sell well is they were mated to a TERRIBLE automatic trans which broke way before anything else. Most EG33s have never really been driven hard which is a shame. They love to scream right up to the redline.
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mepstein |
Jun 21 2021, 04:13 PM
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#11
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,272 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
The eg33 only came in the SVX which didn't sell well, so parts/donors will be hard to find. I wouldn't go that way when the ez30 is current & popular & cheap. My swap is obd2 (97) and it wasn't hard to wire up to the basic 914 electrics. CANBUS is a totally different can of worms and should be avoided. But there are several aftermarket EFI that are PnP for the Suby. The Subaru trans swap is more involved and more moola but it's more better in every way. I don’t think it’s that much more since the alternative is a KEP conversion clutch and 911 stubs, hubs and trans stubs. It seems the eg33 kills the stock cv’s and if you are going to convert to 911 running gear you might as well go mt5. A running Suby trans is $200-500 - about the same price as a core side shifter and it bolts to the trans with a stock clutch. There are bolt on cable shifters that make the whole thing pretty easy. For 14k you should have a good running car or just get a good roller and do the swap yourself and hire out the parts you dont feel comfortable doing. I agree, if you do the swap yourself, you may want to consider a different engine unless you want the six. When I was looking a couple years ago, it was easy to find a running SVX for 500-1000. By running I mean an engine that runs but a trans that doesn’t. The SVX was notorious for their automatic trans taking a dump. I think mine was running enough to get it on the trailer. I used to see them for sale all the time on Craigslist. |
MM1 |
Jun 21 2021, 04:37 PM
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#12
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914 obsession continues Group: Members Posts: 608 Joined: 9-May 18 From: Thousand Oaks, CA Member No.: 22,105 Region Association: Southern California |
The eg33 only came in the SVX which didn't sell well, so parts/donors will be hard to find. I wouldn't go that way when the ez30 is current & popular & cheap. My swap is obd2 (97) and it wasn't hard to wire up to the basic 914 electrics. CANBUS is a totally different can of worms and should be avoided. But there are several aftermarket EFI that are PnP for the Suby. The Subaru trans swap is more involved and more moola but it's more better in every way. I've been researching the Subaru H-6 lately - I like the sound of the individual exhaust ports . . .is your EZ30 a "Gen II" with the separate ports, or siamesed like the first gen (and, interestingly, like all Honda turbo I4's today)? I thought I read that the EZ30 Gen II (3 ex ports per head) is canbus . . . |
MM1 |
Jun 21 2021, 04:45 PM
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#13
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914 obsession continues Group: Members Posts: 608 Joined: 9-May 18 From: Thousand Oaks, CA Member No.: 22,105 Region Association: Southern California |
The eg33 only came in the SVX which didn't sell well, so parts/donors will be hard to find. I wouldn't go that way when the ez30 is current & popular & cheap. My swap is obd2 (97) and it wasn't hard to wire up to the basic 914 electrics. CANBUS is a totally different can of worms and should be avoided. But there are several aftermarket EFI that are PnP for the Suby. The Subaru trans swap is more involved and more moola but it's more better in every way. I don’t think it’s that much more since the alternative is a KEP conversion clutch and 911 stubs, hubs and trans stubs. It seems the eg33 kills the stock cv’s and if you are going to convert to 911 running gear you might as well go mt5. A running Suby trans is $200-500 - about the same price as a core side shifter and it bolts to the trans with a stock clutch. There are bolt on cable shifters that make the whole thing pretty easy. For 14k you should have a good running car or just get a good roller and do the swap yourself and hire out the parts you dont feel comfortable doing. I agree, if you do the swap yourself, you may want to consider a different engine unless you want the six. When I was looking a couple years ago, it was easy to find a running SVX for 500-1000. By running I mean an engine that runs but a trans that doesn’t. The SVX was notorious for their automatic trans taking a dump. I think mine was running enough to get it on the trailer. I used to see them for sale all the time on Craigslist. On the Subaru MT5 - I already have a 901 from a 'Teener here that supposedly "shifts well" - couldn't I buy the cable shifter for it as well as Tarrett's high HP cv axles (and not have fab transaxle mounts) and have something that shifts better than the stock 901 setup if not quite as good as the subaru? The KEP kit for plate, clutch, HD starter etc. was around $1100 all in. Plus I could bolt in a Porsche 6 when I hit the lottery (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) |
Chris914n6 |
Jun 21 2021, 05:51 PM
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#14
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Jackstands are my life. Group: Members Posts: 3,320 Joined: 14-March 03 From: Las Vegas, NV Member No.: 431 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I don’t think it’s that much more since the alternative is a KEP conversion clutch and 911 stubs, hubs and trans stubs. It seems the eg33 kills the stock cv’s and if you are going to convert to 911 running gear you might as well go mt5. A running Suby trans is $200-500 - about the same price as a core side shifter and it bolts to the trans with a stock clutch. There are bolt on cable shifters that make the whole thing pretty easy. For 14k you should have a good running car or just get a good roller and do the swap yourself and hire out the parts you dont feel comfortable doing. I agree, if you do the swap yourself, you may want to consider a different engine unless you want the six. When I was looking a couple years ago, it was easy to find a running SVX for 500-1000. By running I mean an engine that runs but a trans that doesn’t. The SVX was notorious for their automatic trans taking a dump. I think mine was running enough to get it on the trailer. I used to see them for sale all the time on Craigslist. Don't need 911 bits. I know the stock 914 cv's will hold 200hp for 20 years... I haven't gotten an email from Craig saying an SVX has been posted in at least 5 years. So at least in Vegas it's hard to find. Most of the MT5 out here are WRX so $500+. So with cable shifter, cradle, custom axles, custom speedo it's more than the $550 for the adapter kit. |
Chris914n6 |
Jun 21 2021, 06:09 PM
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#15
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Jackstands are my life. Group: Members Posts: 3,320 Joined: 14-March 03 From: Las Vegas, NV Member No.: 431 Region Association: Southwest Region |
On the Subaru MT5 - I already have a 901 from a 'Teener here that supposedly "shifts well" - couldn't I buy the cable shifter for it as well as Tarrett's high HP cv axles (and not have fab transaxle mounts) and have something that shifts better than the stock 901 setup if not quite as good as the subaru? The KEP kit for plate, clutch, HD starter etc. was around $1100 all in. Plus I could bolt in a Porsche 6 when I hit the lottery (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) No. The stock 914 rod shifts fine with tight bushings, cable won't change that. The difference is in the synchros -- suby smooth vs 914 notchy. We didn't switch out CVs at RH unless you had a 300hp V8 and fat tires. I'd go suby trans over investing in an adapter kit, it just works that much better overall and durability isn't a question. I run a built 914 trans and every launch starts with a prayer. |
MM1 |
Jun 21 2021, 06:17 PM
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#16
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914 obsession continues Group: Members Posts: 608 Joined: 9-May 18 From: Thousand Oaks, CA Member No.: 22,105 Region Association: Southern California |
Thank you @Chris914n6 - I appreciate the advice.
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CBee |
Jun 22 2021, 11:37 AM
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#17
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G Force Junkie Group: Members Posts: 19 Joined: 17-June 18 From: AVL,NC Member No.: 22,232 Region Association: South East States |
I'm planning a EG33 and 5MT swap into my 72.
I bought non running SVX for $200 a couple years ago. Pulled everything I needed and sold the rest for scrap and recouped my $200. The intake was left loose and water got inside so until I dig into it further, I'm unsure how much is usable. But, I found another complete EG33 motor recently that a local SVX fan had for $500 which is the one I plan to use. So I guess the point is, they are out there. I looked a minute ago on Cultcars.com and theres a complete SVX in TN for $1000. The car you're probably looking at is linked on there too. Car-Part.com may turn up some engines too closer to you. $14k is a bit much for that 914, if that radiator install is an example of the level of the work that went into building it. Find a solid, or not, roller and a donor Subaru and build one yourself. |
MM1 |
Jun 22 2021, 02:51 PM
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#18
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914 obsession continues Group: Members Posts: 608 Joined: 9-May 18 From: Thousand Oaks, CA Member No.: 22,105 Region Association: Southern California |
I'm planning a EG33 and 5MT swap into my 72. I bought non running SVX for $200 a couple years ago. Pulled everything I needed and sold the rest for scrap and recouped my $200. The intake was left loose and water got inside so until I dig into it further, I'm unsure how much is usable. But, I found another complete EG33 motor recently that a local SVX fan had for $500 which is the one I plan to use. So I guess the point is, they are out there. I looked a minute ago on Cultcars.com and theres a complete SVX in TN for $1000. The car you're probably looking at is linked on there too. Car-Part.com may turn up some engines too closer to you. $14k is a bit much for that 914, if that radiator install is an example of the level of the work that went into building it. Find a solid, or not, roller and a donor Subaru and build one yourself. Thank you for the advice @CBee - I concur. |
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