Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 08:37:57 EDT
Reply-To: Wolfvan88@aol.com
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Lilley <Wolfvan88@aol.com>
Subject: Re: IMO: engine Converting = Ignorance of what is out there...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 7/21/00 6:02:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time, maxjoyce@ipa.net
writes:
<<Have you investigated the berg FI system and how it could be
adapted to Water boxer? >>
No, I have looked at their web site and wondered. Mine is finally working OK
after putting settings back. I would have to convince my wife first...I did
get her to go along with the five speed tranny. If I had planned on
replacing the FI first instead of buying replacement parts, I might have
gotten the setup to play with.
<<I'm still having trouble figuring out how much all
the FI parts would cost from them since I don't know a lot about it. the
tuning part where they drive down the road with a lambda sensor in the pipe
and hook up the laptop and adjust settings for each 100 rpms must be way
cool.>>
Do you have their catalog? The setup could work with the stock throttle
bodies, according to the web site. Order the short shift kit and their
exhaust wrap plus a catalog.
<< You're slowly wining me around on the WB mods, but how reliable are
the 2.5 cyl and where are they to be found. Please don't say Claude's
Buggies! >>
I would say IF you spent the money needed to build the engine right, it
should be reliable. Coat the heads to prevent corrosion from starting, make
it ceramics and reduce the temps the rubber head gaskets face to extend the
life.
The kit is @$5,000. I know that FAT Performance utilizes them, because when
I was talking to them about modifications, they were building one for a
syncrosyncro that would be using the stock FI setup.
If you carefully build the engine and drive it reasonably, it should last as
long as or longer than the stock setup. 200,000 or more are possible.
The kit replaces all internal parts: crank, cam, rods, piston/cylinders,
heads. You would simply need a case and the kit. I would replace all the
head studs with new and use what the is recommended, it might even come with
different head studs too. Simply because of the cost of the kit, NO weak
links.
Maybe a list vender can look into importing them cheaper...
The kits are used throughout Germany. The SAME COMPANY that built the WBX
has the FACTORY DROP IN 2.5L kit, PLUS the also make the 3.2L flat size WBX
Cost on that in 94' was $20,000 for entire drop in engine and parts to make
it boltup, I do not know the current price.
Robert