Date:         Tue, 14 Aug 2001 16:10:12 -0700
Reply-To:     Leon Korkin <korkwood@SURFREE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Leon Korkin <korkwood@SURFREE.COM>
Subject:      Re: The best engine conversion?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Kitzmann wrote:

> Hard to say which is the "best" conversion.  Each has its pro's and con's.
> I-4  can be bought cheaply used and is a vw.  Mated to a Wasser trans and
> it gives good power and up to 24 mpg.  If using a diesel bellhousing you
> don't go above the decklid.  Con you usually have to modify the driverside
> engine bay because the intake manifold hits the wall on that side.  Pro,
> most VW mechanics can work on it, but you get "wow a golf engine in a
> Vanagon?"
> I-4 Diesel,  1.9L TD fits without much grief, gives 75hp or so and is
> exempt from smog testing. It seemed hard to comeby used(when I looked) and
> expensive $3000+ new.  Same with TDI, but TDI much harder to install, and I
> have seen much talk of busting clutches.
>
> Subie, fits under the decklid, good power, good economy.  Con, oil pan
> hangs really low, more expensive, and most mechanics take one look and say
> to go elsewhere.

Just to make correction with Subie. Oil pan is being routinely modified and no
longer is an issue or con.
In fact, thanks to efforts of all members of Subaruvanagon group ALL
conversion  issues were resolved and lots of help is available.
There are very few independent Subie mechanics here in LA area but one of
them(i only contacted one) not only accepted converted Vanagon to work on but
was happy to do it. In reality it is not any diffrent than working on Subie
car, perhaps even better as access is much greater.
I have seen people finding Subie engine and harness for less than $300 from PYP
and
little more expensive from private party.
Comparing Subie engine to VW I-4 is not fair as I-4s are simply not in the same
league
regarding technology, performance and durability. Subie engine is specialy good
match for VW AT and makes it fast lane dweller. I myself converted 2 AT
Vanagons and couldn't believe acceleration came from 137hp engine, it felt a
lot more powerful.
There is also 165hp SOHC that would be great but they are rare now as they were
made only during last 2 years.
6cyl TDI engine, so common in Europe now in various designs and cars, would be
exellent choice too, provided it is obtainable, fits under the lid and
conversion issues resolved. Of course better trans is needed or at least higher
top gear ratio to take advantage of all that power.
I often wander why so many people sink lots of money into large monsters
getting less that 15 mpg waisting lots of gas being parked on giant parking lot
called "Freeway". The auto industry is obliging and constantly saturating
already saturated market with more versions of the same thing. It's a cycle
that imo can only be broken by gas price of $4/ga, when people will spend more
money on gas than on food...
Making over 20mpg Vanagons remain in reasonable mileage categorie considering
it's age and not very advanced design. There is realy no alternative to it as
VW joined the Mini-van race(Sharan, Eurovan etc) and abandoned original concept
of max space in small, turn-on the -dime package.
Leon
85 Subwagen Westy

>
>
> Whats ideal?  Cost the I-4,  Power Subie,  Reliability? Both seem pretty
> reliable if you did it right.
> For me I would love a V6 TDi from a Euro Passat with a Porche tranny, 150HP
> and probably 28mpg, but I don't think anybody has done it.
>
> Mine is a 1.8L from a Golf GT, why did I choose it?  For starters the van
> is a 82 Diesel, so it started life as an I-4.  Secondly my friend had a
> Golf GT that got into an accident.  Total cost $1200-1300 and I get 24 mpg!
>  Would I like more power, yes, but it climbs hills much easier now and goes
> easily to 80 mph.  Can I live with it, yes.
>
> Hope that helps,
> Dave K.