Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 23:28:47 -0700
Reply-To: steve@SYNCRO.ORG
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Schwenk <steve@SYNCRO.ORG>
Subject: Re: Question on Waterboxer Power vs transplants.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I agree that powerband is perhaps more critical than
horsepower. Michael Sullivan has a nice chart showing
the WBX power at various RPM, and the TDI, which he has
optedd for. Based on his chart, the TDI clearly
appears to be great alternative.
Unfortunately, the TDI os the only "popular" conversion
I have not driven. I have been fortunate to be able to
drive the in-line 4, the subaru boxers (3 different
ones up to 3.6 l 6 cyl. 240 HP), and the two audi 5
cyl. SA engines VW uses in the vanagon.
My favorite: coyote's WBX with the ratio rockers and
changed gearing. The gearing changes made more of a
difference to me than the additional HP. His set up
felt the most natural and tuned to the overall
machine. My least favorite: the in line 4. the power
band is too high in the rpm range, too narrow and it
felt like a japanese engine out of a mini pickup...it
did not feel right relative to the vehicle. The subaru
felt better matched as far as powerband, and had more
power. The Audis felt and sounded better matched than
the subaru, and had good low and broad powerband, but
perhaps a little less power than the subaru, depending
on which motors you compare.
So, i think my preferences would be (1) TDI, (2) WBX
properly rebuilt and refined, and with proper gearing,
(3) Audi, (4) Suabru, (5) in-line 4.
I do not profess to be an expert. Far from it. Many
others know tons more than me!!! I am also one of
those who actually like the WBX. Mine has been
great. 115,000 miles (70,000 by me) and no leaks,
burns no oil, orig head gaskets, never let me down
(except failed throtle switch). I plan to do a
Lilley-type rebuild when the time comes, and to use the
$3000-4000 i save over an engine swap to ship my syncro
to a distant continent for a month or two tour.
Engines are like suspension. There is no one solution
right for everyone.
Mark Keller wrote:
>
> Since were on the topic, I'd like to know what torque and horsepower the
> various transplants and the 130 hp Subaru engine are capable of
> producing at 3800 RPM.
>
> I never intended on spinning the 5500 RPM to use the Subaru 130 hp; the
> vanagon's 90 hp is made at 1000 RPM less than the Subaru and nearly
> that for the inline four. I believe we as consumers would be better to
> critically ask, just how much power is available when I want to go up
> the hill, carry the weight or fight the wind and in the RPM I normally use.
>
> My thinking is this. I cruise in the 65 MPH/3800 RPM range. I go up
> hills at 65 Mph/ 3800 RPM range. I don't believe the torque and
> horsepower of the transplants are DRAMATICALLY different in the "GREEN"
> RPM range. It would seem that any of the known waterboxer modifications
> could make up this difference.
>
> For starters from the Volks CAFE website it looks like the waterboxer
> makes 75 hp at 3800 RPM. It would please me greatly to hear some
> numbers on the proposed replacement powerplants or a URL with a graphed
> engine in the same RPM ranges that we drive at.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Mark Keller
> 91 Carat
> Cowichan Bay, BC
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