Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 11:50:11 -0600
Reply-To: Andrew.Yarnell@KIMLEY-HORN.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andy Yarnell <Andrew.Yarnell@KIMLEY-HORN.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Christopher,
I am kind of in the same boat as you, only I have not found that $500
gem of a Vanagon you did... yet. I am on the lookout for a solid, clean,
but engine blown Vanagon to do the swap, for $1 to $1500. I want to do
the I-4 conversion for reliability and gas mileage, as this will be the
family truckster for quite some time. I also want a little more HP and
torque which will come from the Tiico conversion. I have good mechanical
know how, especially with VW's (I have a 92 GTI and a 73 Bug), so I will
be installing the conversion myself, with some help from a good friend
and master mechanic with lots of cool tools. Everything I have read,
seen says a good mechanical knowledge, and some tools, and a manual is
all you really need to do the swap.
I have considered the "junk yard" swap, but in the long run I think a
brand new engine, proven in South Africa, is the best way to go, you
will get your money's worth out of it. Also there are a lot more chances
of missing something, or over looking something, or having to engineer
on the fly, with the junk yard engine. Not to mention the wiring hell.
Tiico seems to have it all put together very well, and are willing to
answer questions about the process.
As far as the tranny, I have limited knowledge, but you could probably
find a used or rebuilt unit for much less.
This list is the best source of real hands on information I have found.
Thanks to everyone who contributes, I have learned a lot just reading
the digests everyday.
You won't want to sell your Vanagon after running it a while (unless
something drastic comes along, and you have to sell it) so don't be too
worried about resale value, cars in general suck when it comes to
selling a used car, you never get as much as you put into it. : (
I hope all goes well, and if you see anymore $500 Vanagon's for sale,
let me know!
Andy
Lakewood, CO
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Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 00:26:21 -0800
From: Christopher Schardt <christopher@MOESKITCHEN.COM>
Subject: 84 vanagon engine dilema
Hi,
I just bought an 84 vanagon for $500. Nice and cheap, huh! Well I knew
the engine had overheating problems (the heads need re-sealing) and the
3rd gear syncro is shot, so a good deal it MAY be.
Though I'm told the transmission will run pretty well for a while with a
bad syncro, I've decided I really want to rebuild it. When it comes to
the engine I'm faced with a dilema. Spending $1000-1600 to fix a 1.9L
engine that develops only 82HP getting bad gas mileage seems like
throwing good money after bad. I've therefore investigated some engine
swap options. The one that makes best sense to me for reasons of
reliability and power is the Tiico conversion, which utilizes a brand
new
South African inline four 110HP engine. Of course this is a LOT more
money.
Other considerations:
* Though I'm technically capable, I'm not a mechanic and I don't want to
spend lots of time figuring out how to install a junkyard engine and
then
have it break down in the desert.
* I will be transforming this van into a submarine art car, with a fair
amount of extra weight, and the necessity of towing a trailer carrying
the nose and tail sections.
* I'll be driving up into the high Nevada desert so I could use the
extra
power and reliability.
* I won't be driving the van that much, as I have another car to use.
I'll probably use it for long camping trips and hauling runs.
Here's what I'll pay to get the heads resealed and the transmission
rebuilt
head reseal: $1000-1600
transmission rebuild: $1210
total: $2210-2810
Here's what I'll pay to have the Tiico conversion done and the
transmission rebuilt
Tiico conversion $3800
conversion installation: $1750
transmission rebuild: $1070
total: $6620
So It's approximately $4000 more. My questions:
1) Any thoughts on the Tiico conversion? Good, bad, ugly?
2) Any other conversion suggestions that can be done by a commercial
mechanic for a reasonable price (not too much time spent figuring out
how
to make it work)?
3) Which engine would be the most reliable, re-headed 1.9L stock, or
Tiico?
4) Would the new engine be a selling point if and when I decide to sell
my van? ie: Could I expect to recoup part of the extra $4000 when I
sell?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
Christopher Schardt
415-558-9908
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