Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 21:42:33 -0600
Reply-To: "Terry K." <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Terry K." <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Subject: Re: Using American engines for Vanagon swap - why the heck not?
In-Reply-To: Marshall <mjruskin@SHAW.CA>'s message of Fri, 22 Mar 2002
16:49:44 -0600
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=ISO-8859-1
There s a wild man locally that has dropped a small block chevy into
the front end of Bug---he sits pretty much where he is supposed to.
The installation was pretty simple, he built a sub frame for the engine
and trans, and another in the rear for the shortened rear end---
It fly's---and the whole additional framework doesn't weigh nothing to
speak of--- it's just mild steel retangular tubing.
And the engine is nothig special--and it has been reported to be getting
26 mpg. when he isn't on it---
Now if a smallblock can be stuffed into a Beetle--why the big deal about
the Vanagon?
Lot's of room !!!
And the statement I made about the Old's 455 in a Vanagon isn't so
wild---
I saw a chopped type 2 Bus for sale last year at E-Bay wit the exact
same setup.
E-mail message From:Marshall
Hi Tom:
I know you're exagerating on the negatives for the sake of humour,
that's OK.
The motor mounts are a concern, the rear springs are not. I'd use
air-lift shocks for rear lift, which I need anyway.
The gas economy will depend on how I drive it, as the motor only
develops power, and thus consumes fuel, according to the load. It's not
gonna use 300 hp of fuel, when it's only being loaded to 90 hp.
Seriously, is it possible to support the engine with reasonably designed
structures?
Marshall
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mr. Pants" <mrpants@MINDSPRING.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2002 08:28 AM
Subject: Re: Using American engines for Vanagon swap - why the heck not?
If you're gonna go this route, I'd suggest the olds 350. Bore it 30 over
and drop in some knuckleheads. If you trick it out right, the 350 can
approach the 455 in hp, while having a higher redline, and the parts are
SO much cheaper.
On the positive side, this would allow you, if your vanagon ever had
engine trouble, to pull into any junkyard anywhere in the US and buy
whatever part you need for $25 tops.
On the negative side, you'll need to add about 3 tons in support braces
to the back so when you goose it the motor doesn't fling itself into the
next lane, new springs so your headlights don't blind planes, and you'd
need to convert the middle section into a huge tank so you'd be able to
make it to the next gas station.
But back to the positives. I think you could safely remove that leaky
rear heater, because it will always be warm in the back of that vanagon.
It's Friday right?
Tom C.
who's other car is a '79 olds delta 88 (with a stock 350 that's plenty
fast enough ;)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Terry K." <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2002 8:01 AM
Subject: Re: Using American engines for Vanagon swap - why the heck not?
BIG engine's have cubic inches which makes horsepower--as well as gobs
of torque----
Forget the weak VW, cheesy, running gear---
Drop a 455 Olds into the back end of a Vanagon, with Toranado drive
train ---and get the hell out of my way----
The puny Golf / Jetta setup's will be doing nothing more than sucking
dust, and watching my tail lights disappear-----
Look up the road---it's a bird---it's a plane----no it's Super Vanagon
!!!!:>)
______________
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~~~ ~||-(())----(())-|
Terry--
"Zoom, Zoom, Zoom"
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http.//community.webtv.net/CTONLINE/TerrysHighOnLife
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