Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 13:39:17 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Suburu/Golf debate
Content-Type: text/html
<html><DIV>
<P>Are you saying you test drove these engines installed in a vanagon? If yes, was the gold a tiico or a eurospec conversion? And what kind of audi 5 cylinder are you talking about? Is it the one with 135hp? </P>
<P>the vanagon stock engine 2.1 is what? 90 hp? with 17/18 mpg</P>
<P>the golf 115 hp? with 20/23 mpg??</P>
<P>the audi??? (135hp....) with mpg?????</P>
<P>whats the hp of the suburu? and what kind of mileage does it get? </P>
<P>You subies have got my attention - quiet engine, powerful, inexpensive (relative) </P>
<P> </P>
<P>>From: Warren Chapman <TALLSOUND@MY-DEJA.COM></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: Warren Chapman <TALLSOUND@MY-DEJA.COM>
<DIV></DIV>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: Suburu/Golf debate
<DIV></DIV>>Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 03:12:13 -0500
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I can't speak to resale value. I may never sell my converted van. I drove
<DIV></DIV>>both engines before deciding on the Subaru. Originally I wanted an all
<DIV></DIV>>German van, but even more I wanted more GO power. I drove both engines
<DIV></DIV>>(also a 5 cyl Audi) before deciding on the Subaru. I wasn't at all
<DIV></DIV>>impressed with the normally aspirated 2.0L Golf motor. I perceived little
<DIV></DIV>>or no power increase over my wasserboxer. I was somewhat suprised and very
<DIV></DIV>>impressed with the 2.2L Subaru, so chose the latter.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I still find the possibility of the 1.8T VW/Audi (turbo) engine very
<DIV></DIV>>intriguing but I have a Westy and I understand this engine will not fit
<DIV></DIV>>under the rear hatch without modification.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I'm very happy with the Subaru (although only just finished the conversion
<DIV></DIV>>so not many test miles yet) Substantially more low end torque and
<DIV></DIV>>acceleration. Can now climb long grades in 4th at 70mph.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I did the job myself, including the wiring, but would not do it again. The
<DIV></DIV>>choice comes down to your wallet and the value of your free time to you and
<DIV></DIV>>your family. I could afford to hire someone but wanted to do it myself for
<DIV></DIV>>the experience. The wiring is a tedious but not difficult job. You can
<DIV></DIV>>now hire it done by someone else (David Marshall at Fastforward now does
<DIV></DIV>>the job). I would go for it.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Also, in my opinion, the Subaru kit needs more development for Syncros.
<DIV></DIV>>Although Kennedy engineering has a new shorter oilpan about ready for
<DIV></DIV>>delivery, currently there is no solution in the KEP kit for re-installing
<DIV></DIV>>the Syncro skid plate. Others are developing a solution which will probably
<DIV></DIV>>be available in a month or so.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Hope some of this info is helpful. You may also want to check out the
<DIV></DIV>>registry portion of the site below for feedback from other Subaru
<DIV></DIV>>converters with more miles than mine.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> http://www.cycoactive.com/urabus/
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Another source of info is the SubaruVanagon list:
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> http://www.egroups.com/group/subaruvanagon
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Good Luck
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Warren Chapman
<DIV></DIV><br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p></html>
| 
