Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 08:39:13 -0500
Reply-To: "Michael J. Sullivan" <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Michael J. Sullivan" <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM>
Subject: Re: Why I am installing a TDI engine...
In-Reply-To: <000a01bf631d$4eecb3c0$1cd60ad0@schmidt5>
Content-Type: text/enriched; charset="us-ascii"
Actually, the reasons I'm REALLY doing it:
1.) the challenge
2.) the fuel economy (i.e. range)
3.) the power
4.) the cool factor
5.) all-VW solution
6.) modern engine in the ultimate SUV
7.) it's a show car, folks
8.) I love diesels
Would I recommend that anyone else do it?
Not unless you can justify all seven points above!
(and you've got some pretty big pockets or lots of free time)
Cheers,
MJS
At 02:06 AM 1/20/00 -0600, Jay & Kim Schmidt wrote:
>Walmart sells range enhancers really inexpensively. They are red with a
>spout. Not to rain on your good idea, but this can't be the reason?
>Jay
>
>>For me - the most important benefit of the TDI transplant is the greatly
>>increased RANGE the vehicle will have.
>>
>>The ability to go the distance - can, at a critical time - be so much more
>>important than the difference in consumption costs.
>>
>>Those of you who travel high up in Northern Canada or perhaps deep into the
>>Aussie outback - or maybe Mexico - will know exactly what I mean.
>>
>>Of course - the drivability improvements are good too!
>>
>>Marshall Ruskin
>>84 Westy
>>
>>
>>
>>>Good listing of stats and it all looks very impressive! My only thing
>>>would be what you are doing is VERY expensive and is above the average and
>>>even the fanatical Vanagon owner. It is going to take a lot of savings at
>>>the pump to break even after you finish paying for the transplant. TDIs
>>>are wonderful engines but I personally wonder if they are worth the hassle
>>>and expence to get installed.
>>>
>>>If I had $5000 US to play with, I would be installing a 2.8L VR6 in the
>>>back of my Vanagon. 172hp @ 5,800 RPM and 173 ft-lb @ 4200 RPM. The
>>>installation of the VR6 is not nearly as complicated as the 100% "drive by
>>>wire" TDI and there is more than enough power in both engines to totally
>>>destroy your transmission in under six months! There is also the
>>>"de-tuned" VR6 that is found in the Eurovan - something like 153hp but a
>>>*heck* of a lot more torque at the bottom end! Yes, the TDI does beat the
>>>VR6 on bottom end torque, but I am not complaining about the get up and go
>>>of my 2.0L equipped Syncro.
>>>
>>>Please don't take offence to this... just stating my $0.02 worth! Good
>>>luck with the project - it sounds like lots of fun!
>>>
>>>At 09:10 PM 19/01/2000 -0500, Michael J. Sullivan wrote:
>>>>Dear List,
>>>>
>>>>I have created a quickie website explaining, in spreadsheet form, the
>>>>reasons why a TDI makes so much sense for my Van. I truly believe this
>>will
>>>>indeed be the ultimate engine for my Vanagon -- both off and on road.
>>>>
>>>>The URL is:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.hsdesign.com/vanagon/why_tdi.html
>>>>
>>>>Comments please!
>>>>
>>>>Cheers,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Michael J. Sullivan
>>>>IPS "SWATteam" Architect
>>>>Open Market, Inc.
>>>>
>>>>*********************************************
>>>> phone: 781.359.7624
>>>> work: http://www.openmarket.com
>>>> scan tips: http://www.hsdesign.com/scanning
>>>> vanagon: http://www.hsdesign.com/vanagon
>>>>*********************************************
>>>>
>>>
>>>-- David Marshall - - Quesnel, BC, Canada --
>>>-- 78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westie, 85 VW Cabriolet --
>>>-- 87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 2.0L VW Syncro Double Cab --
>>>-- David's Volkswagen Home Page http://www.volkswagen.org --
>>>-- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning http://www.fastforward.ca --
>>>-- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list) --
>>>
>>
>
<bold>Michael J. Sullivan
</bold>Marshfield Hills, MA
Tierra del Fuego 2000 or bust!
'87 VW Vanagon GL Syncro Westfalia "Sunny" (soon to be TDi-powered)
'89 Audi 200 Turbo Quattro Wagon "Wizard" (soon to be for sale)
'96 VW Passat TDi "Teddi" (46mpg)
*********************************************
work: http://www.openmarket.com
my vanagon: http://www.hsdesign.com/vanagon
scan tips: http://www.hsdesign.com/scanning
*********************************************