• Seller: David R aezer (Contact)
• Location: Plummer, Idaho
• Mileage: 36,000 Shown
• Chassis #: 1113063430
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: 2.5-Liter SOHC
• Transmission: 4-Speed Manual

You’ve probably heard of or seen a Porsche-powered VW Beetle. You might have even come across a Subaru-powered Porsche. But how about a Subaru-powered Super Beetle? As great as the air-cooled Volkswagen and Porsche engines are, a more modern Subaru engine offers better performance while still offering the unique characteristics of a boxer engine. A 2.5-liter Subaru EJ25 powers this 1971 Super Beetle, and the seller has it ready for you to hit the streets in it. They performed the swap about 20 years ago and have enjoyed it, but they feel it’s time to let someone else have fun with it, so it’s being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction!

The Beetle is a true automotive icon, having served as transportation for millions of people around the world. They have proven to be dependable, cheap to run, and endlessly customizable. Finding a Beetle with an upgraded engine isn’t all that remarkable, but you really don’t come across many with a Subaru swap that’s complete and as tidy as this one is. David purchased the car in 2006 while working in Southern California. His first car was a 1972 Super Beetle, which he had dreamed of customizing but lacked the means to build at the time. So, he set out building the Beetle he dreamt of in his youth, with a Brazilian-made OEM long block and painted it Honda Tangerine Orange. After a few years of use, he decided it still needed more power. The popular swap at the time was the Subaru 2.2-liter, but after measuring the engine bay, he realized he could fit the EJ25.

Inside, this Beetle was treated to a new TMI interior complete with new door cards, carpet, and seat covers. Sound deadening was added to the doors, floor, and other interior panels. It also received all new rubber seals. David sold the car in 2013 and it was driven from Santa Barbara to South Carolina. Five years later, the new owner contacted David to see if he wanted to buy it back. They had left it parked outside during their ownership, so David had it shipped to where he now lives in Idaho. Unfortunately, those five years were tough on the car, so it now needs cosmetic work inside and out. David has purchased some replacement parts for it, including new German window seals, anodized aluminum trim for the windows, a new front bumper, a new windshield, an extra clutch kit, and a spare radiator.

Given the extensive work that went into the swap, we will let David tell you about it in his own words.

From David – In 2008, I was working in an Indy shop in Santa Barbara, and I wanted to install a Subaru engine into the car. Back then, the popular route was the 2.2 16V engine for transporters, and after doing research and measuring, I realized I could install a 2.5 SOHC EJ25 without cutting any sheet metal. I also didn’t want to lose the luggage area to a radiator, so I came up with the idea of using radiators tucked into the front fenders. Spent hours browsing eBay for different motorcycle radiators until I found one that seemed to suit my build. One was ordered and then fitted. Fan shrouds were built and electric fans installed. Radiators were from A Kawasaki ZX9.

Additionally, I wanted to use the grill below the front bumper, and I sourced a radiator from a Porsche 996, which fit perfectly. Plumbing utilizes copper pipes for additional heat dissipation. The main lines were run inside the tunnel and exited at the frame head, with branches left, right, and center. Each radiator has a degassing fitting that runs to a reservoir inside the luggage area. The system is self-bleeding, and a bleed nipple is located in the engine compartment for initial filling. Fans are controlled by a PWM fan controller that ramps up slowly.

Once the cooling system was figured out, I moved to the engine and transaxle. The engine was purchased with 88K from LKQ and disassembled to a short block. New head gaskets, timing, and cooling components were fitted. A shortened oil pan and pickup were also fitted. A custom exhaust was fitted by a local fabrication shop, and I retained the catalytic converter from a low-mileage vehicle. Factory fuel injection was retained after a custom wire harness was built. A freeway flyer transaxle was sourced from Rancho Performance and a Quaife differential was fitted at that time for limited slip. The engine was mated to the transaxle using a Kennedy Engineering adapter, along with a flywheel, Stage 2 clutch, and gear reduction starter.

A four-wheel disc brake conversion with a Porsche lug pattern was fitted with Fuchs replica wheels and new Pirelli tires, they are 4.5” in the front and 6” in the rear. The front suspension was lowered, and new struts and rear shocks were installed. Front and rear stabilizer bars were fitted, and an upper strut brace and rear frame brace were installed. To recommission, I replaced the fuel tank, fuel pump, and sending unit. There is an issue with the speedometer, and the odometer operates intermittently. I am working to get the turn signals and wipers to work, and should have that sorted.

As you can see, a ton of work went into getting this swap working and well-sorted. The seller has put about 30k miles on the car since the swap was completed, and at highway speeds, the car averages over 30 miles per gallon. Since it’s equipped with the stock EFI, it’s dependable, efficient, and more powerful than the original engine could ever be. While it needs cosmetic work, this is one you could drive while you sort out those issues. Once it’s looking its best, this will be an eye-catching and fun daily driver! Leave any questions you have for David in the comment section below.

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