Date:         Mon, 14 Aug 2000 12:47:51 +0200
Reply-To:     Nigel Bennett <NigelB@foschini.co.za>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nigel Bennett <NigelB@foschini.co.za>
Subject:      Re: WBX Nightmares *NOT*
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

My 89 syncro has a stock 2.1 82kW engine (82kW / 0.74 = 111hp?). Cruising
conservatively I never exceed my green line of 4200rpm and the engine pulls
willingly, even with 125k miles on it. I have had no problems except with
crud buildup from the PO which caused loss of oil pressure. I will be
pulling the engine in the next few weeks to fix a slight coolant leak on the
heads and I figured I may as well do a complete rebuild for good measure
(and for a feeling of confidence when travelling miles from nowhere with the
wife & 9-week old kid).

*A word on SA*
Here in SA VW does NOT supply 2.1 engines to the local market any longer.
They do, however, supply the I4 Golf/Jetta 2.0 engine conversions which the
agents happily install for > R22000-00 (yikes!). I believe this is the same
90kW (122hp?) engine I have in my Jetta and which is exported to you guys in
the States - this engine is a reliable, economical workhorse with a
beautifully flat torque curve.
The 2.1 engine was discontinued in the busses from about 1993, having been
replaced by more powerful 2.5, 2.6 and recently the more economical 2.3
engines, all inline. Some places still rebuild the 2.1 wbx's and even modify
them to 2.3! Anyway, here in SA you can put whatever engine in your van/car
that you can manage to fit - the Ford JT3000 V6 was a very common conversion
over the 2.1 and some guys have also used the Audi 2.2, just for that extra
bit of gearbox-cog-ripping power! Cats are not a legality either and we just
gulp in the lead-laden air that spews out of free-flow exhaust systems.

T3's are still manufactured and are very popular - we have 1000's on the
road, but very few campers.

Cheerio!
Nigel
Cape Town, South Africa
89/90 syncro caravelle
97 Jetta CLi

-----Original Message-----

Some of the Vanagons (not in the US) were a 112 horsepower from the factory
--- maybe you got lucky???