Date:         Sun, 20 Aug 2000 20:39:24 -0700
Reply-To:     A & C Grobey <alien1@jps.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         A & C Grobey <alien1@jps.net>
Subject:      Re: Engine Conversions
Comments: To: James Huskins <lostranger@mindspring.com>
In-Reply-To:  <B5B96FB7.742%lostranger@mindspring.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

My sister has now logged about 500 miles on her Tiico conversion and is
loving it.  I was very jealous of her today as I followed her on a freeway
onramp and up a long hill on the freeway.  I could not keep up and I was in
my Ford Ranger with a 4 liter V6!  I think she was showing off a little.

Alan
Sherwood, OR

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of
James Huskins
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2000 5:54 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Engine Conversions

Thanks to all who responded to my questions about Subaru vs. TiiCo
conversions. I had been leaning toward Subaru, but here's my current
thinking:

1. All engine options--including complete rebuilds of the wasser boxer--are
expensive, but most of us don't drive a Vanagon only for economy.

2. The wasser boxer can be made MORE powerful/reliable with modifications
such as ceramic coatings, different chips, camshafts and the like, but at
even greater expense, and the long-term reliablity question appears still in
doubt. I don't want to start every trip wondering if this is the day the
heads leak. I am not inclined to rebuild my WBs, and one of my requirements
is no modification to the engine cover.

3. Most conversions, such as Kennedy/Subaru and David Marshall's I4, require
fabrication, creative wiring, and LOTS of time, and still result in the
installation of a used engine. Subaru conversions seem to take about two
full-time weeks. (I apologize to those who've done it quicker.)

4. Therefore, the TiiCo conversion, with a brand new engine, proven
performance and reliability, two day installation, and no fabrication, seems
to be a great deal at $3875 plus shipping.

I've not done any of the swaps, and I have affiliation with any of the
companies in that business. But I do love my Vanagons, and I NEED more
reliability and would LIKE some more power. I post these musings for your
comment, even though I realize the issue isn't nearly as important as rear
hatch struts.

James Huskins
Chapel Hill, NC