You Need This: Subaru-powered VW Beetle good for over 300 horsepower

What’s so special about a Volkswagen Beetle that’s traded one flat-four engine for another? Because the new flat-four doesn’t come from an old-school VW, but from a much more modern Subaru.

More specifically, the Beetle is powered by an EJ205 and also features disc brakes, an uprated turbocharger and an external wastegate.

Located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, this 1974 Volkswagen Beetle is listed at $13,000, though the seller is open to trades–specifically a Miata, BMW convertible or S2000.

Comments

Chris Tropea Associate Editor
8/13/24 1:13 p.m.

This is sweet, giving me bad ideas for my Super Beetle so I am going to stop looking at it.

nocones GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
8/13/24 1:34 p.m.

In reply to Chris Tropea :

I can bring some things to the challenge to make your dreams a reality..

I still have the complete Subaru to VW swap kit from the Wartburg and a spare EJ205 or for less scarryness a few running EJ22s (135hp).

Colin Wood Associate Editor
8/13/24 3:22 p.m.

In reply to Chris Tropea :

Consider yourself

Enabled

Noddaz GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
8/14/24 7:50 a.m.

Chris Tropea said:
This is sweet, giving me bad ideas for my Super Beetle so I am going to stop looking at it.

You mean this?

DWNSHFT Dork
8/14/24 7:57 a.m.

I see a water-cooled engine with the radiator in the front trunk with no means to get air to it or away from it.

jharry3 GRM+ Memberand Dork
8/14/24 9:10 a.m.

DWNSHFT said:
I see a water-cooled engine with the radiator in the front trunk with no means to get air to it or away from it.

yes, just where is the radiator hidden?

BlueInGreen - Jon UberDork
8/14/24 9:40 a.m.

DWNSHFT said:
I see a water-cooled engine with the radiator in the front trunk with no means to get air to it or away from it.

And is that radiator, um, actually mounted to anything?

11GTCS SuperDork
8/14/24 11:31 a.m.

The level of "sketchy" in the fuel plumbing and wiring in the picture of the frunk is impressive in itself. I'm guessing the diamond plate is intended to be a baffle of some sort but I'm also having a hard time getting any air through that radiator.

Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/14/24 11:43 a.m.

Some parts on my MG are a little janky when I look at them with the benefit of years. But I have nothing on this thing.

Bigben HalfDork
8/15/24 11:00 p.m.

My cousin is doing his 2nd suby powered beetle and taking it up a notch with an EJ25. He is slow and methodical in his build. It's much cleaner than anything I've built.