Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2002 01:05:54 -0400
Reply-To: Karl M <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl M <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: 1.9 to 2.1 wbx swap questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Thanks for your input, Karl. We've reached a decision and are about to
install the engine/trans tomorrow, using the 2.1 cooling system and 1.9 fuel
system. The 2.1 fuel system wiring from the donor car was not so good, plus
I've heard reports that a 2.1 with Digijet runs even stronger than Digifant.
We'll see. The cooling system was a no-brainer once we looked at the
difficulty involved, which was basically a trim to the length of the steel
pipes, fitting the plastic junction to the front side of the firewall, and a
short adaptor hose cut from an old 1.9 hose.
Karl
----- Original Message -----
> Karl,
>
> I finally got my 2.1 installed about a month ago, just two days before our
> planned trip from Phx to Vancouver - Hell of a test run; doncha think? I
> had purchased the engine from Damian Shaw (great guy, BTW) about a year
> earlier, but due to sime medical problems wasn't able to work on it for a
> while.
>
> Anyway, I installed the entire 2.1 system - it just seemed to be the right
> thing to do. This way I have the most up-to-date system overall. Don't
> know if my judgment was right, but it's done!
>
> Problems were relatively minor. The biggest I recall was the surprise
that
> I had to replace the big plastic pipes, since they are different lengths
> for the new system. The dashpot for the charcoal cannister needs to be
> relocated outside the engine compartment (no room for the larger air
> cleaner). relocating the CPU inside the van required using a 2" hole saw
> and a threaded rivet gun for mounting the cover. I don't recall any other
> changes that were unexpected, and will report to you if I recall any. It
> was just a lot of work, since I had the tranny out and was replacing all
of
> the fuel tank lines at the same time.
>
> Final results: Better and smoother power and more torque (by seat-of-the-
> pants measurement). Seems to be quieter than the 1.9 (heavier exhaust
> components?). The 2.1 cooling system seems much easier to bleed, and the
> position of the thermostat housing has to be an improvement (the 1.9 t'
> housing is a bitch to get off if the bolts have corroded, and they usually
> have). If I had it to do over again (thank God I don't), I'd do it the
> same way.
>
> Incidentally, I had a .77 4th gear installed during the tranny rebuild,
and
> am not looking back on that one. My theory on 2.1l stretch bolt problems
> is that they are due in large part to long-term over-revving. I am now
> cruising quite comfortable at 3800-4000 rpm, while with the stock gearing
I
> was regularly well over 4K (long flat desert drives).
>
> Good luck,
>
> Karl Wolz
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