Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 18:19:50 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: [Syncro] First South African 2.6 engine conversion done!
In-Reply-To: <000e01c2454e$dc57c360$e675313f@com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
So how does one order one?
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Karl M [mailto:THEWESTYMAN@MINDSPRING.COM]
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 2:01 PM
To: turbovans; Syncro list; Syncrolist; Vanagon list
Subject: [Syncro] First South African 2.6 engine conversion done!
Folks, I had the opportunity to complete the very first South African
2.6
litre five-cylinder conversion available in a customer's '85 Westy, the
beast is just plain awesome to drive! This kit consists of all brand-new
parts, basically the exact drivetrain fitted to the vans sold in South
Africa. The engine management system in Bosch Motronic, an amazing
simple
and smooth operating system. Included is basically everything needed for
the
conversion, minus a few clamps and bolts here and there. Complete
exhaust
system, all supports and brackets, engine including alternator and AC
compressor (R-134 type!), wiring and ECU, airbox, clutch, flywheel,
starter,
etc. The kit is available with or without a brand-new 5-speed
transmission,
of course with Syncro you would reuse your existing transmission anyway.
It
also comes with a raised deck panel for engine clearance, HOWEVER I
managed
to get the engine under the existing lid with minor lowering of the
engine
mountings, so that no cutting of the Westy cabinets or sheetmetal was
required. I also exchanged the engine lid for one from an early Vanagon,
the
metal type, which was trimmed a few places underneath and bubbled for an
extra inch of clearance over the intake manifold and distributor areas.
This
allows reuse of the stock Westy bed cushion with no changes. The ground
clearance is still very close to what the waterboxer had. I also added
Syncro rear springs to handle the slight increase in weight, the rear of
the
van is now about 3/4 higher than the front, unloaded.
If you've read this far, you might wonder how it performs. Well, let me
tell
you, I have never driven a Vanagon with this much power and torque. It
zips
up to cruising speed effortlessly and smoothly, without a surge or
stumble.
If the need arises to pass on the highway, just push down on the
throttle
and away you go. People look at the you, wondering how on earth a VW van
could go so fast. I tested it out on a few local hills that I go over
regularly with my 1.9 TD Syncro Westy, where I always have to shift to
third
to maintain 40~45 mph (waterboxers even less that I have tested here)
the
2.6 pulls at 55 in fifth. I am totally impressed with the available
torque
and overall smoothness of the engine. The Tiico pales in comparison in
every
respect. Upfront cost is a bit more (remember, it does include all fuel
system components, exhaust, alternator and AC compressor), but the
conversion is hardly more difficult to assemble than the Tiico.
I have a zip file of photos that I can send if interested, at some point
I
may put them up on a website. There will be a few more kits available
for
shipping soon. Let me know if you have interest in one. I can provide
tech
support should you decide to install the kit yourself. Thanks for
reading!
Karl Mullendore
Westy Ventures
Gapland, MD 21779
301.432.4645 office
828.712.5598 mobile office
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