Date:         Thu, 16 Nov 2000 15:23:13 -0800
Reply-To:     Dave Bayer <daveb@CP.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Bayer <daveb@CP.NET>
Subject:      Re: 1.8T conversion question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Dana Morphew wrote:
>
> I'm in process now with my '90 Vanagon.  Its an RV out of an '89 Jetta
> with 147,000 miles.  220 to 225 compression on all four cyls.

        That's a 1.8 not a 1.8T (1.8 turbo as found in the
newer passat, a4, new beetle and recently jetta and golf.

>  Trans. is
> inplace with CVs torqued, diesel bellhousing,  input shaft, and clutch
> lever installed, new Redline MT-90, etc..  I have drilled two additional
> rear engine carrier mounting bracket holes, making four for each side.
> The carrier brackets are installed.

        When I looked at this conversion a year ago, I noticed
that VW had changed the mouting of the engine. Also, the longitudial
manifold would require modifying the deck lid with either a 15 or
50 degree slant. Not sure about the intake manifold used on the
transverse engines.

> I'm thinking about what to do for the exhaust system, and leaning toward
> something other than the RV manifold or the diesel manifold.

        Turbos make exhaust systems much easier.

> I think I'm ready to go with the wiring harness...time will tell.  Fuel
> and Digifant2 relays...under backseat or in engine compartment (is
> engine heat reason enough to have them under the backseat?).

        Well, the tdi harness allows the tdi ECU to reside under
the back seat with extensions to the AMM, wastegate solenoid, and
EGR solenoid wiring. Question is whether the 1.8T's ecu resides in the
same place as the tdi's and how the length of the harnesses differ.
I could measure the distance from the ECU connector to the main
branching point if it would be helpful.

> What to do for the airbox.  Do I try to install the warm air deflector
> on the exh. manifold, (it interferes with the support), try to find
> another source for warm air, or just forget about using it entirely?

        Back to your conversion, forget about it if it's too
difficult. IIRC, it is there to help with cold starting only. You
want cold, dense air once the engine is up to operating temp.

        As to the 1.8Ts airbox, it should be usable. From the
conversions I have seen pics/video of from europe, they
put the airbox where the battery would be in a diesel vanagon -
passenger, rear corner.

dave