Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 14:53:48 -0700
Reply-To: warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 82 Diesel Vanagon Engine Replacement Choices? Costs?
Comments?
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I have a 82 Westfalia that was a Diesel I converted to a '91 1.8 Jetta engine(100 hp) 6 years ago. In 1998 I replaced it with a better (115 hp) '95 Golf-Jetta 2.0 . Plenty of hp and torque, reliability, cheap to maintain, and fuel economy- Freeway and backroads 21.mpg. If I am on roads primarily in third and fourth gears between 35 and 55 the mileage goes up to 24 mpg.
At flat out 75-80 it's 19 mpg.
Cost-I did it myself for under $1,500 dollars. I changed the trans to the air-cooled Vanagon with best top end gears ratios.
Diesel 1.9? A friend bought one brand new in Oregon for $1,900.00. Non-turbo but can be done for another $2,000.
75 hp. He got the air-cooled trans also. It runs moves out better than the 1.6 with the air-cooled trans- gets great mileage at highway speed. 31 +mpg.
If you don't use freeways often a good choice-does great on backroads.
One of the biggest assumptions about the inline four is that it's small. Funny no one seems to dare to say the WBX is small (a cult in places).
Dimensionally it looks bigger with it's spread out design, but the inline four is a compact power-pack (I could sell these)
Now that I have the 2.0, I recommend this for the camper which needs extra torque and power.
But enough with the WBX comparisons- a Diesel Vanagon lends itself more sensibly to a I-4 conversion.
The gas was the cheapest way for me to go- when I switched to the 2.0 I also added power steering to the 82. everyone who drives in it says it drives more like a car than a Van. Engines are common -years between 1993-1995 low-mileage engines with good compression-mine was 210 all four. I'm using the simple Digifant ll FI system.
Excellent power band in 3rd. I can cruise at 78 mph turning only 4000 rpm. So, I get the same average mpg the WBX'ers get at 65.
I can merge on the freeway ahead of fast traffic in third by stepping on it in third all the way up to 75 mph which just crosses into the low 5,000's. Ask the other inline four people out there- It might look small but it only weighs 67 more lbs than a WBX and has a wider power band. And , a knock sensor ignition.
This means I can use lower octane fuel with out damaging the engine . WBX drivers riding with me on a demo drive worry I'm over -revving it. That's just it's nature. If you go from slow 1.6 to fast 2.0 gas- you will be making about the same transition I made six years ago from a 1.6 air-cooled in my old 64 bus. And I still think I had 16 more hp than the Diesel 1.6.
The TDI is something I haven't looked at yet - I'll leave it alone.
Robert
1982 Westfalia
1987 Wolfsburg
----- Original Message -----
Wrom: IPWIGYOKS
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2002 1:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 82 Diesel Vanagon Engine Replacement Choices? Costs? Comments?
I've had my 82 diesel vanagon camper for a couple of months and a couple of
thousand miles now. Everything seems to be working okay and chugging along,
but I know that to be completely worry free there are a number of things
that need to be fixed on the vehicle. I was beginning to weigh these costs
against the cost of replacing the engine altogether. The vehicle has over
200k on the original engine and I know it's not going to last forever. I do
want to keep this vehicle forever, however. I don't really mind the poor
performance of my van, but obviously would prefer more power without
sacrificing economy.
Stuff my van needs (as far as I can tell):
- fix oil leaking between engine and tranny
- fix other oil leak from engine - drips onto engine guard and then onto
floor (or onto tailgate)
- CV joints
- various seals
- timing job - belt, pulleys, other belts, etc
....pretty much the engine is going to need to be pulled and gone through to
fix the leaks, etc and I guess I'd be looking at between $500 and $1000 to
have it done (I don't wish to do the work myself). Even with that I'm still
going to have a 200k mile engine and just don't know how long it will be
before something else goes wrong.
My Vanagon is my daily driver and I love having the ability to pull over,
make a cup of tea and catch 40 winks whenever I wish. I don't mind sinking
a couple of thousand for a replacement engine. However, I'm not sure what
would work and what would be best for me. I would be interested in comments
from anyone else who has replaced the engine in their vanagon.
Here's what I've gathered so far in terms of engine choices:
- 1.9 NA Turbo - sounds good, fits well, lot more torque, bit more power,
same longevity, same economy, probobly needs an air-cooled gearbox
- TDi - this would completly transform my vanagon into a super-vanagon. I
know these engines are bulletproof and very economical. I also know they
are a nightmare in terms of chips, wires, and generally setting up in the
vanagon (right?). Expensive.
- Subaru - seems to be a better choice for the wasserboxer than for the
diesel. It would be nice to keep the vanagon completely VW and the Subaru
engines are pretty thirsty, fuel-wise
- GTi, other 4-cyl petrol engine - probobly a good value for money package,
but wouldn't the vanagon still be underpowered (these are still small
engines)? Probobly fuel economy is not that great.
In a perfect world I would like: more power for hills and overtaking,
ability to cruise at 65 - 70 mph, same or similar fuel economy (25 - 30
mpg), reasonable ease of finding parts (and complete engine!), reasonable
ease of having my VW mechanic install it.
Comments? Advise? Relative costs per option? Where do I begin?
Any help much appreciated.
Jon
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