Subaru Engine Build Checklist JPS

Sounds like your fed up with the one you have! Don’t give up so quickly! Check your timing if you haven’t already ! It’s a nice looking Speedster! When I bought my speedster I fought it all the time it was a coin toss if it was going to be a Good Day or a Bad Day every time I turned the Key it was always something with that motor. I had a New one built and knock on wood it was the Best thing I did its so nice to go out and turn the key and go for a ride! As for A/C that would be Great especially in Florida. But it’s a convertible I live in Ohio and there are certain months I can’t drive my car either and wouldn’t want too!! Don’t give up so Quickly I bet you could get a New motor built and put in in a 1/4 time it takes to have a New Car built not to mention a hole lot cheaper.

@Former Member the thing is I have two businesses so its the time is money dilema. Difference between tinkering with this eternally to get it to go on the highway and down to florida keys or something vs just working 100x hours in my businesses and putting 10k into the pot. The idea of hanging out every weekend trying to figure it out or leaving at repair shops for 2-3 weeks at a time vs having it to use is the problem. I am spending the time one way or another whether to and from shops, paying shop bills or getting a motor with AC and lower maintenance. It would take a year or two to build a subaru anyways so I would have those years to exhaust myself tinkering and would have the rich experience of both air cooled and water cooled. The subaru seems to have 180 hp vs about 60 or something i have on this 1641cc so it might go 70 mph on the freeway happier.

There are some guys out there with turnkey motors to buy not badly priced either and they are relatively easy to install and doesn’t take a long time to do might be a option while your waiting for a new one to be built. Not to mention a good selling point. If you decide to go that route do yourself a favor and get a 2110 or bigger you’ll be Happy you did! I don’t have any issues going 70-80 on freeway at all except from the wife! Lol

@John Bungen, If I may make a recommendation: if you do decide a new engine is the way to go, buy a CB Performance engine kit, and have it drop shipped to @DannyP.

@arden I think this engine in my red one is fine. It was built by a couple guys on here and wired up so its prob just a Florida heat, dual exhaust hotter running car. Either way AC and power windows would be nice as well as regular maintenance work vs having to be a mechanically inclined person when considering the long run but it will be awhile.

Getting 38-40k out of my AC car with the three tops, 6-speaker bluetooth stereo, alarm upgrades, carpeting trunk etc will not be too hard in FL as anything that comes on the market here is 40k plus and is gone before you can call on it. I was in the market for two years and they just go quick here. People keep trying to buy it from me at home depot, gas stations so just about ordering a subaru one, waiting til its almost done then putting this one up for sale and being patient probably. There is a dealer down in miami that orders a car and when its built in 10-11 months he just charges 20k more for it and puts it on websites and its gone. That is his whole business model.

I just purchased the JPS Coup (Subie powered) that was John's personal car.  I drove it from San Marcos to middle Tennessee last week.  It ran perfectly and was an incredible trip.  I love the car and would certainly recommend JPS from my experience. 

@Greg C so the build quality is decent? I have a cmc now, could get 38kish based on florida market if i had a month to sell it. I guess the process is 15k down with jps, 15k when they are starting final assembly. Balance upon pick up or ship. I saw a nice punchlist on here to do before final payment so if I do something with them I would make it part of the deal that I would be able to fly in and have that punchlist done by a local mechanic prior to final payment. Also, provide list to them to hopefully do themselves before I get there. Power good? I have 1641cc now, just standard issue motor. AC works ok? Does it have their two speaker bluetooth upgrade? is it loud enough? I am thinking the convertible D to get power windows, better top mechanism and the sube would have ac so year round car here then

John - you have 2 pictures of a Speedster - the black one is a Convertible D.  In FL with all the unexpected popup 20 minute rain storms, you'd probably want the Convertible D with taller top, bigger windows and roll up side windows (vs side curtains).  I'm sure the Convertible D adds to cost.

My wish list color would probably stone grey with a light plum color interior.

@WOLFGANG Yeah i spec sheeted the convertible D right after i posted this, 45kish, would prob not do the chrome tip trims, side, bumpers so save 1k there. I like your color choice. I was also thinking the nardi gray as I use this color for my ebike brand and i will have those coming next year. good prop for marketing. It seems they say 8 months to build but most people say two years so i will have good experience tinkering with AC red cmc i just got. https://ampridesusa.com/

https://www.vintagemotorcarsin...grey-outlaw-gallery/ looks good with black trim too

https://www.jps-motorsports.co...of-classic-speedster convertible d

John B., this was John Steel's personal car and was worked on and off for the past 10 years to test new products on the car.  I am very happy with the product I received and especially for the price.  John listed the car for 39K but provided wiggle room enough that I could not pass it up.  The Sube is a 2.0 not the current 2.5.  The 2.0 sounds great and has plenty of (more than enough) power.  The Sube ran perfect during my 2,200 mile trip back home to TN.  The air worked perfect and was honestly just a little much once I was out of the desert.  I ended up cracking the passenger side window a bit.  It has power windows and has the two speaker stereo unit, but is an older unit and I will be replacing the speakers.  I could not get over the feeling that I was driving an actual '57 Coup.  It felt that authentic.  I have had a '66 Cobra replica for the past 4 years and it's a scary beast.  This car feels very comfortable and genuine.  I will be ordering additional cars from JPS.

Nardi Gray with black trim no door or bumper chrome. Prob something different with wheels, black is good but kinda looks like a boat trailer wheel.

That Nardo gray is cool, but the Italians do a version that is better IMHO.  This is my Vespa Sprint.  Grigio Materia.

are u driving shoes a variation of the grey :}}}

My photo was not visible? Maybe because of google.

@John Bungen posted:

@Former Member the thing is I have two businesses so its the time is money dilema. Difference between tinkering with this eternally to get it to go on the highway and down to florida keys or something vs just working 100x hours in my businesses and putting 10k into the pot. The idea of hanging out every weekend trying to figure it out or leaving at repair shops for 2-3 weeks at a time vs having it to use is the problem. I am spending the time one way or another whether to and from shops, paying shop bills or getting a motor with AC and lower maintenance. It would take a year or two to build a subaru anyways so I would have those years to exhaust myself tinkering and would have the rich experience of both air cooled and water cooled. The subaru seems to have 180 hp vs about 60 or something i have on this 1641cc so it might go 70 mph on the freeway happier.

Check with Darrin in the Deland area; he will solve your motor problem forever. Email him to his wife's address: andreab@thegourmetchocolatier.com.

If you're set on a new Subie car why don't you try Beck at Special Edition?

@Impala thanks for the info, i will email them if i need help with tins when they come in. Do you have websitefor special edition? Beck was 20k more than JPS and JPS has the convertible model with power windows for tight seal, AC is included.

Special Edition’s website: http://www.beckspeedster.com/

Carey Hines is the man in charge there and he’s an active member here. Maybe he can jump in.

@John Bungen @Greg C granted,it's been some time now since i got my car and dealt with one john steele...but buying a turn key car already completed from JPS and "enduring" a possible 1 1/2+ year build process and dealing with a no joke DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE personality is APPLES & ORANGES...a word for the wise....you should listen to a few of us that know...and the point has been well documented...and i'll leave it there....best of luck with your cars & happy motoring

@jncspyder so it seems like they all take 1-2 years that I have been emailing. Is the dr jekyl thing worth $20k more to have vintage build it? Also, it seems that once you add the features of AC, leather seats, the intermec (plus export to Michigan from canada) is around 75k for the subaru now with ac/leather interior so 30k more than jps.

@John Bungen that point is debatable...all i can do is offer my 1st hand experience...i nearly threw in the towel, twice and for a short time left a foul taste in my mouth, just happily, now just a painful memory after some time and effort and a to quote a clint eastwood movie "a few $dollars$ more" to sort out the car on my own...but i have met greg leach (vintage motorcar), and he is a much more agreeable personality and pays more attention to details and customer service from what i have heard....i'm happy to offer more detail in order to help those that want to know...but there are a few here that can also offer their 1st hand experience......like a wise man once said...."let the buyer beware" as well as "you get what you pay for"  just ,as always IMHO

@jncspyder thank you for taking the time to tell me your experience. I think if the sube build got into the 60-75k category then it would not be as interesting to me vs my current vw powered car. Not sure its worth another 30-35k in fun factor, have to think about it.

i will repeat what i have said several times. I purchased a JPS 2018 speedster second hand with 1900 miles on it about a year ago.  It had a few small issues primarily because the first buyer never did anything to it other than drive it occasionally and one oil change. I have had a totally opposite experience with John Steele from the beginning and up to just last week when he sent me some replacement parts at no charge.

Each and every time i reached out to him he has been cordial and helpful and timely with his responses.

i might add this is not a paid testimonial. i am just relating my experiences with JPS all within the last year.

Paul

@Phisaac i respect your opinion,i do...i saw you are on the east coast....and like i said earlier, it's been a couple years since my saga came to a close concerning this guy....just a question?...have you met the man in the flesh?...and sat across from him and written large installment payments only to see him become LINDA BLAIR from the EXORCIST after getting 3/4 of the payment....then having obvious WARRANTY ISSUES laughed back in your face?.....and since you bought a already made car, i m thinking you didn't have a personal 1 1/2+ yr business relationship with a new custom built car for yourself...if you had been treated in the fashion i was after paying $40K to someone for a bucket list item....believe me, it would most likely take a PAID TESTIMONIAL for you to type many kind words the likes which you have done....another famous quote  "take a walk in another man's shoes"......no hard feelings, just once again IMHO

It might just be better to put the word out at some point and pick a used sube speedster up when the time is right. Would probably be less than the 75k of the intermec, more than the 42k of the jps and probably not a convertible d at all but a hands on, one week mechanic inspection/wire money affair vs 2-3 years and stress.

John, here’s my 2¢: From all you’ve written, I would suggest you find a bone fide Aircooled VW expert to sort your overheating issues. There’s something not right with your engine. Stop paying the wrong guy to not fix your car.
Second, I would find a nice, modern used car like a Boxster, TT, Miata, Fiat 124, Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky, Mercedes SLK with the creature comforts you’re looking for, and save the Speedster for the days you can enjoy it in the Florida weather.

As much as I love our cars, I think it’s inconceivable to pay as much for one  as you could buy a Corvette C7-C8 for.

I ordered 5 tins, neither mechanic will install them so im going to put an ad on facebook marketplace to try to find a vw aircooled mechanic who can do that when they come in. There is one guy who works on them but apparently he is not taking new customers for air cooled. Another guy has an appt october 3rd week so ill keep looking. If I leave orlando area and search tampa or daytona then i have to drive a couple hours, get an uber back go pick it back up in 2-3 weeks etc so its costly. I am sure if I throw enough money up someone will come out of the woodwork. Someone posted an email of a baking lady who has a husband who knows them so i send an email maybe they will answer at some point.

John:  Try Fisher Buggies near Tampa if you can. They are outstanding as far as service, knowledge and patience with us guys who know jsut enough to be dangerous.  I have purchased from them every time I am in the area including, a complete motor!

Jim

There’s gotta be someone. So-Cal and Miami are the epicenters of AC VW culture.

Thank you, I will call them maybe they will know someone near me within driving distance with an overheating car. There is about 90 minutes of bumper to bumper between me and Tampa in our normal car so probably want to trailer it over there to avoid getting stuck in traffic and have it overheat. Been limiting drives to about 20 minutes locally til sorted out. I am also going to look for a local vw club or site to join. I was looking for speedster clubs and spaced i could get similar results from vw aircooled sites.

@dlearl476 posted:

There’s gotta be someone. So-Cal and Miami are the epicenters of AC VW culture.

Miami not so much; it’s dying too...

@John Bungen posted:

Thank you, I will call them maybe they will know someone near me within driving distance with an overheating car. There is about 90 minutes of bumper to bumper between me and Tampa in our normal car so probably want to trailer it over there to avoid getting stuck in traffic and have it overheat. Been limiting drives to about 20 minutes locally til sorted out. I am also going to look for a local vw club or site to join. I was looking for speedster clubs and spaced i could get similar results from vw aircooled sites.

The reference I gave you, Darrin lives in Deland. Is that too far from you? He is a killer mechanic and body man with a ton of aircooled VW expertise.

@Impala I sent email yesterday let's see if she replies. I can drive to DeLand its only an hour

Hi, I was given your email to get ahold of Darrin in Deland to take a look at my speedster replica with 1641 cc engine, running hot, needs tins installed, gauge hooked up. Do you know him?

Andrea is actually his wife....

Do I need to find someone to remove the engine to install these tins? I was watching youtube videos and all these videos have the engine on this metal stand thing to install the tins.

I believe it might not be necessary, at least for the bottom sled tins. And now that I think about it you could probably get away with not taking the motor out for all, including cylinder head tins, fan housing, etc. If doing those you will need to remove the decklid.

Excellent, one mechanic told me this morning that he needs to pull the motor so im not sure if he is the proper contestant for this task. Will keep checking and see if this Deland mechanic replies as well. There seems to be some gouging in this town on things. I paid $250 to hook up cylinder gauge but didnt really know what that entailed so it seemed fair. $250 to set valves and change oil same trip, $498 total.

I'd do it.

You'll spend the time to drop the engine, or the same time (twice over) fussing with getting it together without dropping the engine.