Date:         Wed, 5 Mar 2003 21:38:16 -0600
Reply-To:     Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Conversion Survey
Comments: cc: albell@UVIC.CA
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Alister,

O.K., so it isn't an I4 conversion, but you wanted more input Alister. Here
is the information on my current conversion project (not an I4):

Porsche 911 3.2 engine and G50 transmission into '87 Vanagon GL
1. kit or self devised (if kit which one?)
  Self derived, but using many pictures and much input from the very few
people that have done this before

2. year done
   Project started in March 2002 and is ongoing. I hope to have the engine
and transmission in, and the van running in April 2003

3. miles on van since conversion
   Zero - still under way

4. problems (if any) associated with engine conversion
   I learned early on that this project was going to be done on everyone's
timeframe but my own. I thought I could have it done by May 2002. Nothing
goes as planned, and everything takes forever. This is really going slowly.

5. aspects of conversion that you ARE happy with
   Porsche power, and a bulletproof 5-speed transmission

6. aspects of the conversion you are NOT happy with
   $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

7. Cost of conversion
   After about $13,000 I stopped keeping track. I had been making meticulous
records of all my expenditures, but that became far too painful. At this
point I don't want to know how much I have spent. Every time I have to pay a
bill I just put on a big smile and write a check.
   Off the top of my head here are some of the big expenses: 7,500 plus
shipping for used engine, 2,000 plus shipping for used transmission, 500 for
parts Vanagon (I need this for several reasons),  350+ for SA Big Brake Kit
(if you are going to go faster you better be able to stop), 500 for first
set of wheel adaptors (larger wheels required for SA Big Brakes), 600+ for
SA headlight grill/lights/wiring/Projekt Zwo fog lights (you have to see
where you are going at night), 300 for H&R lowering springs,
...................
   I haven't actually paid money for the Porsche wheels I am using, but I
will have to.
   These are just a few of the expenses I have had, and I still have a bunch
more to go.

Wish me luck!

Bruce

_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail