In-House SVX Conversion

Why choose us for your SVX conversion?

At Vanaru, we are committed to taking the subaru conversion to the next level. We use the best parts from the popular vendors, and we engineer and develop our own parts into a standardized, repeatable arrangement when we are not satisfied with what is available. As a result, you the customer win by getting the cumulative engineering effort of all the conversion vendors.

An example is something new to the world of SVX conversions - a 'reversed' style manifold just like the 4-cylinder conversions. Our own innovation, now duplicated by other major shops, rids the system of the long wrap-around coolant pipe crowding the engine compartment, for a more OEM look and feel. Additionally, the cooling system is constructed in a self-bleeding flow-through arrangement which purges itself of air, resulting in rock-solid cooling system performance.

Pricing - We have available a ready supply of similar low-mileage SVX engines. We price the SVX conversion as a package and let you know what we have available at the time.

The cost of the full SVX conversion in our shop in Pennsylvania is $8500 plus the price of the reconditioned engine. The typical engine price range is from $2000 to $2500.

The conversion includes the engine, reconditioned with new OEM valve timing components and water pump and all new seals for long trouble-free life. Also included are the fully converted wire harness installed in your vehicle, and the following:

New Full Exhaust System - Headers, Catalytic Converter, and Muffler

New Performance Clutch - High performance clutch required for the power of this engine.

New Performance Filter - You get a new K&N filter

New Throttle Cable - Entire new cable from front to rear.

Add up the equivalent cost of these included parts and installation charges and the SVX conversion cost is not much higher than the 2.5 liter in-house conversion!

About Transmissions:

Manual Shift - The stock vanagon manual transmission generally holds up well with the SVX engine. If your transmission is worn with high miles we recommend to have it rebuilt. At the same time, the stock gearing of the vanagon transmission is well suited to the original motor but is very 'short' for the SVX. We generally recommend to install a taller third and a taller 0.70 fourth which lets the engine run at considerably lower rpm at highway speeds. In mountainous areas with unusually steep grades a taller third and a 0.77 fourth may work better. If you opt to install a rebuilt transmission, we charge an extra four hours labor for 2WD and an extra six hours labor for 4WD transmissions.

Automatic - The SVX conversion can be done on a vanagon automatic. The automatic has drawbacks which make it less ideal for this engine. Foremost is the gearing - the automatic is geared lower than the manual transmission, and the transmission section cannot be re-geared like the manual. Running with the stock gearing, the engine will be revving unnecessarily high, resulting in poor fuel mileage and a high noise level at highway speeds. There exists a European ring and pinion which gears down the differential by 9 percent, but this is a very expensive option and is not currently available as a new gear set. Call or email us for more information.