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Date:         Fri, 27 Jul 2001 14:42:09 -0700
Reply-To:     DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Considering I4 swap:  1.8 89 Golf vs. 1.8 VW Fox (90?)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>Haven't sold my 84 Vanagon, and really don't want to. >I'm playing around with the idea of selling my other >ride (the reliable Toyota van-- I must be nuts) and >finishing the restoration of my vanagon. I do love my >vanagon. > >Found a rusty diesel vanagon complete that can be had >for a nice price, but still considering buying the >conversion kit from Fastforward. Found two 1.8's, a >Golf 88 or 89 and a VW Fox, same vintage I believe. >My mechanic really, Really, REALLY doesn't want to >switch over the FI, and wants to bolt on a Weber 32/36 >or the Solex 34/5 kit (shows rabbit, golf, but not >"crossflow" head, whatever that is) assuming they fit. > (It will be cheaper than the ECU for the 1.8's >anyway, right?) The mechanics cheap and I trust him >with my life or wife, but FI is not his thing. And >there's no other option anyway. > >Please don't lecture me on "Mother Earth" and I know >FI will give better driveability, mileage, and power. >I'm looking for cheap and reliable. As for Mother >Earth, I give at the office by keeping these old heaps >for a longgggggggg time. My 3 cars are all over 150k >miles. > >Any thoughts on this conversion? Those 1.8's bolt up >ok to the diesel/Fastforward kit? Proper oil pan? >Will the carbs bolt up to that head? (I know I will >have to modify the engine cover.)

Isn't there limited space on the left (manifold) side of the head such that you have to either cut a portion of the frame rail or cant the engine down at a 5 degree angle to effect clearance? If there's not much room for the intake manifold, how does your mechanic expect to stuff carbs and such in there?

And, with all due respect to your mechanic, if ever you need service and you're not near home, or if you go to sell your Vanagon, a rock-stock GTI engine will be easier to get *any* VW mechanic to work on, and easier to sell a potential buyer on this point.

Dave -- Dave Carpenter

Whatever you wish for me, May you have twice as much.


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