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Snowmaster #1656 rebuild

C

Cloudberry

New member
I am just now beginning the process if rebuilding my snowmaster. The major reason for doing this now is that the second VW motor blew up in a foot of overflow at -29F. This all happened on Lake Louise, Glennallen AK.

My plan is to replace the VW motor with an EJ25 Subaru motor. I have one, the old motor is out, and I’m making a list of things to do while the engine bay is empty.

Is there someone out there who has been down this road? I’d love to hear the issues encountered such as motor mount construction, brake replacement, and any other relevant experience. I haven’t been able to find anyone near Eagle River to commiserate with so here I am!

What do you think?
 
Yes. I have hung an ej18 in- place of a 1776cc air cooled. I did it In a st4. My professional opinion is if the swedes had this motor readily available in 1958 they would have been in every anowtrac made.

I recently inquired with kennedy engine adapters for another flywheel and adapter ans was surprised to find a short lead time.

Brakes are over rated. I do like the disc brake conversions but hydraulic e brakes are not the best idea.
 
Thanks for picking up my thread. I have adapter hardware coming from Kennedy. They have been very professional and I’m looking forward to working with them.

I think I agree with you on the brakes. My plan at the moment is to pull them apart, recondition them as much as possible and call it good. If you happen to have info on parts sources that would be nice but I think I can find enough to make it work!

My big issue at there moment is getting a wiring harness and ecu to get the ej25 running. I have started a conversation with Jeff at AV Subaru Conversions in Wisconsin for the harness. He seems feet knowledgeable and I hope for success there soon.

Also thinking about exhaust pipe routing and how it’s all going to fit. I’m in what I call the disaster phase of the project which has always passed one the hands get greasy enough. At any rate I’m at th e beginning and the winters are long here so I’m looking forward to it! The rig is in really pretty good shape overall!

The short video is proof the thing can work!
Thanks again!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0878.mov
    5.6 MB
Another question: with an output roughly 4x that of the original VW engine, what are your thoughts about overpowering the trans axle? Oh, and I agree with you that the Swedes would have used Subaru engines. That little VW just has to work too hard, and can’t get enough cooling air at typical speeds. Good engine, wrong application for sure.
 
The power is applied directly to both tracks just as ot would be in a sand rail or desert racing chassis. The vw trans axles in the torc off road racing association are putting large v8 torque and horsepower numbers through the transaxles.

The variater belt sees very little actual power.

Forum user lyndon documented variator operation quite well a threain call its a surprise.

Do a youtube search for a snow trac ecotech and you should find forum user louis getting after a very stout ecotech powered st4.
 
redsqwrl said:
The power is applied directly to both tracks just as ot would be in a sand rail or desert racing chassis. The vw trans axles in the torc off road racing association are putting large v8 torque and horsepower numbers through the transaxles.

The variater belt sees very little actual power.

Forum user lyndon documented variator operation quite well a threain call its a surprise.

Do a youtube search for a snow trac ecotech and you should find forum user louis getting after a very stout ecotech powered st4.
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