Date:         Fri, 26 Apr 2002 00:01:27 EDT
Reply-To:     FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Diesel Conversion Kit web site
Comments: To: mwmiller@CWNET.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 4/25/02 1:45:05 PM, mwmiller@CWNET.COM writes:

<< I don't think it's legal in California to convert a gasoline powered
vehicle
to diesel, might want to keep that in mind. >>

Last time I looked into this (1 to 2 years ago) there was no such
restriction. Same rules apply as per gasoline engine swaps (see the TIICO
problem). If the diesel engine you want to use has ever been EPA and CARB
certified for sale in California, then you have only to make sure that all
OEM controls have been implemented in the swap. If the engine of note does
not have that certification of previous sale, (example: the TIICO system or
stationary power plants sold for non-automotive applications like industrial
TDi units, or 1.9L NA's only imported into Canada) you are in for the same
certification hassle as the TIICO adherents are. As I read the DMV/ARB/BAR
codes, after the inspection and referee certification, your diesel swap will
be smog exempt for the foreseeable future. So TDi from a crunched NB, Golf,
Jetta or Passat should be just fine.

BTW, in my opinion, the 1.9 NA engines are only a minor improvement over the
1.6L units. For the money, I would go 1.9TD and preferably 1.9TDi for vanagon
applications. But there are issues!

Frank Grunthaner