1998 Subaru Domingo JDM Kei-ish van! …..considering engines!

Stumbled across your post on here (Pete with the Lexus), hi!

On the thought of running a gearbox backwards, if it's a used box with decent miles on, won't the gears all have more wear on one side of the teeth than the other? Maybe would make it a bit whiny if it's bedded in in one direction.

Someone mentioned Suzuki engines. The M13A from 1998 onwards Jimny and loads of other Suzuki models is decent, only about 90hp though. The M16A (1.6L) is more like 130hp though, and that's a fun engine with VVT. They've used M series engines in both FWD and RWD applications, often with the same ECUs, sumps etc. The obvious place to get a M16A would be a Swift Sport, but the smart way to get one is a Suzuki Liana as they're not a desirable car at all so you may be able to find a whole car and take engine, loom, ECU as a whole.

Is the original gearbox incompatible with other engines?

My mistake, I missed that part.


Looks like you're tied to a transverse layout without major structural work.
I think the suzuki sc100 had a gearbox like that but they're probably just as rare.

Yay Domingo fwend 😁👍

Well if you can’t find one over there then we have no hope. 😩

I even contacted a guy who runs a club in The Netherlands for the European ones and he can’t get one either!

I’m now looking at different engine and gearbox options.

Always had a soft spot for Kei vans but never owned one and ended up with a fleet of full sized Americana!
For some reason I thought these were all 4WD, so education for me in that respect.

Ah so we are on a similar wavelength then 🤣👍
Love your build btw 😍

I can get an IQ box for around £200 now so not bad.
I still think I want to look at 90s spec Toyota engines as I love the simplicity and reliability of this era. I did see u had a fair around of wiring, particularly in the dash area!

The thing I need to work out before I make any large purchases is how close the IQ box and other Toyota engines are and hopefully have enough room around the front of the sump to let the driveshafts pass by!? I have been told that Toyota used the same or similar bolt pattern on many but not all engines?! 🤷‍♂️

I may just have to bite the bullet and buy one and try it but I’d rather do some working out first lol.

It’s only the IQ backwards gearbox I’ll be using, not the engine itself I think.
Do the Urban Cruisers share the gearbox too? Thank you 👍

Have you considered the Toyota 4A-GE as in the MK1 Mr2/Corolla etc ?

Ok…… so I’m still pondering on which way to go with this, BUT, I’ve added a new possibility to the list which is a strong contender! 😉

Having now seen several small rear engine cars converted with a Subaru flat 4 engine, it hit me that this could be the answer! Being a Subaru van is just the icing on the cake 😁🤣👍

This Fiat 500 is proof that it’s very possible 👍
www.facebook.com/share/v/bzQxUUFK8t4L7k3d/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Since finding that vid, I did some digging and found these photos……..

































The advantages are (in my head)….
- Engines are plentiful and the N/A versions are pretty cheap!
- The air cooled VW gang have been using this conversion for years so plenty of support for the basic swap,
- I’ve been offered a converted Subaru gearbox fairly cheap that will work in the rear of a car (designed to go in a bug),
- Wiring is simpler than most as it’s a 90s pre-canbus engine plus many people offer loom conversions.
- Fairly compact engine and box combo,
- it’s a Subaru engine in a Subaru van so would be cool 😁

My only concerns are that I’m going to have to modify the vans rear trailing arm suspension to make room for the gearbox (already a tunnel as the van had an AWD variant but the suspension arm mounts are close together in the middle…. See pic below), and I have read that “sometimes” the converted Subaru gearboxes can be weak when run “backwards” even though the conversion isn’t cheap!!



So…… some things to think about and some more measuring but it could be a thing 😉

Any ideas, thoughts or alternative transaxle ideas welcome 😁👍