Mock-up image courtesy of Photoshop (and an image from Eric Didier)
87.5 Wolfsburg Project
Blurb: This is like a slow, painful, "Pimp My Ride" drawn out over the course of a year without the witty dialog, expertise, or budget.
AS OF MARCH 2008, THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN CANCELLED UNTIL I AM DONE MY PhD... SORRY FOLKS. COME BACK IN 2010.
Target Vehicle Bought
$2200 with immaculate interior, manual transmission, straight body.
Smoked tail lights / turn signals
Ordered used for $150 and installed. Doesn't get easier than that. I think the smoked tail lights will create low frequency EMF waves that will cure SVX motor installation headaches, too.
Rear side window "wedge vents" & glass
Bought for $30. Will install after paint / before tint.
Eyebrow spoiler (ordered)
Coming from T3 Tuning in England via loogy (samba sn), $90. Will paint w paintjob and install after paint.
IN PROGRESS
Air Conditioning
Pulled a complete AC unit from a '90 Wolfsburg, not installed. Will wait until engine transplant is complete to do... or at least hook up.
A rear AC-style bed cushion needs to be found.
Front Shift Rod
Shifting into reverse feels a little soft. Took apart shifting linkage and found that the front shift rod has two plastic tabs/fingers on it... and one of mine (on the right side) is worn in an angular pattern. This causes a sloppy reverse push-down lock engagement - nothing critical, but would be nice to improve. Supposedly you need to order the whole rod, and supposedly Bus Depot carries it (for around $130). Will phone them or grab one in a yard - this part is relatively easy to take apart/assemble.
TO DO
Get JDM EG33 SVX Motor (or USDM - still investigating this)
Possible group buy via SubaruVanagon list (P. Shaw, wants EJ22). Quoted price of $850 for 1, $800/ea for 2.
Images of this JDM motor below, with 5 motors currently in stock:
