How I Transformed My VW T2 with a Subaru EJ201 Engine

 How I Transformed My VW T2 with a Subaru EJ201 Engine (And Made It Road Legal in the EU)

From Air-Cooled to Subaru-Powered: The Evolution of My Volkswagen T2 Bus

🔧 A Long Road with an Old Engine

By autumn 2024, my trusty VW bus’s 2.0l type-4 air-cooled engine had finally given up the ghost. After years of patchwork fixes and annual tune-ups, it overheated once again—this time barely making it to the repair shop. A quick pressure test revealed near-zero compression on the left side. Not surprising, really. That engine had been the Achilles’ heel of our bus for all 18 years it’s been in the family.

Every year, something needed attention. And while it had character, it never gave us the confidence to take longer trips. So when the restoration costs started adding up, I began to seriously consider alternatives.

🧐 Exploring Engine Swap Options

In Estonia, some VW T2 buses have been retrofitted with VW Golf engines, and there are a few other quirky setups out there. But the cooling systems in most of these conversions are poorly executed, which makes reliability a concern.

That’s when I turned my attention to Subaru. The UK has a thriving community of Subaru engine conversions for classic VWs, with several experienced builders. But with Brexit, transporting the bus and registering the conversion within the EU became a logistical headache. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find any other EU country offering official Subaru conversions.

🇪🇪 A Local Solution Emerges

Just as I was weighing the UK option, I discovered a local Estonian workshop—Busaru Garage—run by a seasoned air-cooled specialist who had started converting VWs to Subaru power.

📍 Contact Info:

🚗 The Donor Car fo rmy VW T2: Subaru Legacy EJ201

In winter, I purchased a 2003 Subaru Legacy 2.0 EJ201 (92 kW)—a fully functional car to ensure the engine and wiring were in good shape. By January 2025, the Subaru was in the workshop. Within a week, the engine and wiring were removed, and work began on my VW bus.

🔩 The VW T2 to Subaru Conversion Process

The Subaru engine received a full service, and the wiring harness was carefully reorganized. Within a month, the first test fits and trial runs were underway. The cooling radiator was mounted underneath the bus—a proven placement used worldwide. Brakes were upgraded, and new shock absorbers installed to match the power boost and ensure safety.

✅ Road Legal and Ready to Roll

By early spring, the bus passed its technical inspection, and the engine swap was officially registered in the vehicle documents—fully compliant with EU regulations.

🛣️ 4,000 Kilometers Later…

As of September 2025, I’ve driven around 4,000 km with the new setup. Not a single hiccup. The bus drives like a modern car—smooth, reliable, and ready for adventure.