Date:         Thu, 20 Jul 2000 17:21:14 -0700
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@worldnet.att.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@worldnet.att.net>
Subject:      Re: IMO: engine Converting = Ignorance of what is out there...
Comments: To: Wolfvan88@aol.com

Whenever this thread pops up, and I hear folks complaining about the lack of
power in their vans, I wonder how many of them are running properly.

I know that when I put in my current engine, it ran like a dog.  The muffler
was packed with bits of disintegrated converter; the vacuum advance didn't;
It needed a O2 sensor, and it seems there were two or three other problems.
Now that those are sorted out, it's running just fine.  There is enough
torque to get off the line, and to climb any hill I have any business being
on.  It's top end is around 70 mph - maybe not enough for some, but enough
for me (I haven't gotten a speeding ticket in quite some time).

I'm not saying that to put in a Subaru engine is wrong; I just wonder how
many are doing it for the wrong reasons!

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Lilley" <Wolfvan88@aol.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2000 4:12 PM
Subject: IMO: engine Converting = Ignorance of what is out there...


> I think that those who want convert to another engine generally are
looking for a "quick fix" to their engine problems and are just IGNORANT of
what is out there for the VW Vanagon in T4 and WBX engine performance
enhancements that work and LAST.
>
> While there are a few Vanagon owners that like the challenge of swapping
and the lifetime of tinkering to &#8220;make it right&#8221;, many others
want to put an engine in that solves your needs and forget it.
>
> If you want to put an engine in and "forget it" Read on otherwise you can
stop here, you could be offended...
>
>
> The main problem with VW&#8217;s T1 to WBX engines is the lack of power.
This has been so since the Beetle began.  The problem has since been
addressed and FIXED by many Performance companies. A T1 engine can be made
to have 200+ HP and live over 200,000 miles (see www.geneberg.com), some
street engines have 450 HP in a VW Beetle!   There are some junk performance
parts out there so beware!
>
> The power problem or lack of, in the WBX is due to the FI system and the
way VW tuned it not so much as the size.  2.1L T1 engines can be made to
have @ 150 to 200+ hp depending on FI setup used.
>
> There are MANY performance enhancements for the T4 engine:
> Larger cams, Larger valve sizes, better mufflers, headers, carbs, FI
systems, larger pistons, stroker and counterweighted cranks, porting, NOS
systems, superchargers, turbo systems, balancing, solid lifters (allows you
to pushes RPMS PAST 6k up TO 10,000 RPMs) and others.
>
> There are many performance enhancements for the WBX engines also:
> They range from mild to wild, bolt on to modifications needed; there is
even a FACTORY 2.5L BOLT on Kit for the WBX engine.
> The costs for many of these upgrades are far cheaper than those for the I4
engines.
>
> The power in the I4 kits is generally the same or actually less than the
WBX in stock form and will need some tweaking just to get more performance.
A bigger cam is over $250. Exhaust headers are $500+ (There might be cheaper
but are not good) I4 parts are expensive&#8230;
>
>
> I wanted to build a WBX engine that was:
> 1)  Basically a rebuild: not changing original dimensions
> 2)  Can be reproduced easily
> 3)  Have increased power
> 4)  Elimination of know problems
> 5)  Increased reliability
> 6)  Increased life
> 7)  Increased efficiency/ mileage
> 8)  Quiet: I have had enough of loud exhausts AND so has my WIFE (I was
once banned from parking my bug in my apartment parking lot because the
shortened stinger exhaust woke everyone up at 4:30 AM when I went to work
and had to park on the street. I was told it could be heard for miles
away&#8230;)
> 9)  Not do a lot of modifying to make it fit
>
> What I have wanted to achieve, I have done it.
>
> If anyone wants a ride to prove it, I am in NC waiting&#8230;
>
>
> Robert
>
> FLAME SUIT ON AND CERAMIC COATED TO HANDLE THE HEAT...
>