Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 07:33:28 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Tiico Engine Questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Just to add a bit more to the bruhaha going on here.
Just IMHO, the WBX is the way to go if one doesn't care to pursue the
exotic, and if willing to keep it maintained properly it will give good
service.
But I have to acknowledge that for a number of years now good proven
inline 4 bangers are available. The best case that I know of that point
to supporting reasons for making the change is the current VW van being
built in Mexico. ( I think it is still being built - it is enormously
popular there) It is basically a late 60's - early 70's model - '68 to
72, I believe, (I could be wrong here, but it is basically an early
aircooled). In Mexico, they have changed the design by adding a radiator
on the front in a bulbous cowling that appears to be just somewhat stuck
on, and they have installed an inline-4 - I think a Golf engine - on a
slant in the rear as the power plant. This change would not have come
about on such a wide basis had the engine design, the applicaton, and
the longevity not been superior to the aircooled version. Could well be
the case with the V-gons.
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
jhlauterbach wrote:
>John, I am seeking an engine transplant for my 1984 7-passenger (auto
>trans). How would you execute your proposed solution and also wind up with
>new electronics and wiring? I would be much more interested in sending
>money to Boston Bob if I could wind up with everything new in the engine
>compartment except for the junction boxes that link the wiring to the
>instrument cluster, etc.
>
>I would be interested in hearing from any transplant surgeons that are
>within 150 miles of Macon, GA, or would do work at my site.
>
>John Lauterbach
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "John Rodgers" <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2003 3:48 PM
>Subject: Re: Tiico Engine Questions
>
>
>
>
>>I know nothing of TiiCo, or any other engine conversion, except what I
>>have read, and the negatives enunciated by the volume of e-mail about
>>conversions causes me to drop any consideration of an engine conversion.
>>It know there are those out there who swear by them, but it's not for me.
>>
>>There are now enough makers of after market parts, and enough experience
>>"out there" that can be garnered, so a really superb WBX engine can be
>>built. One that should have been built in the first place. If one takes
>>a basic WBX and goes the route with it, he/she will have an engine that
>>will last longer, be more reliable, and have considerabley more power
>>that the stock engine, yet it will be a food fit to the van becasue it
>>was made to fit. All the componets hook right up. No shoe horns
>>required, no frame or boddy cutting and welding.
>>
>>There are counterbalanced cranks with balanced rotating assembly, there
>>are oversized cylinders and pistons, there are big valve heads, Ceramic
>>coatings for corrosion resistance, insulating tapes for exhaust pipe
>>heat reduction, stainless steel exhaust collection system, high volume
>>oil pumps, there are special lifters, and new ECU cips, and on, and on,
>>and on, all of which add up to that better performance, longer life,
>>greater reliability.
>>
>>Basically, the engine duiring rebuild is highly refined, as in "Racing
>>Engine" refined, but it is not worked like a racing engine, therefore it
>>doesn't wear out fast. The life is extended. And for a Vanagon that is
>>the goal.
>>
>>I have the spare basic engine now, and it is the way I am going with a
>>new rebuild. which in this case will be with brand new heads.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>John Rodgers
>>88 GL Driver.
>>
>>
>>
>>George Goff wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>In a message dated 5/7/03 4:58:42 PM, DrocerNod@AOL.COM writes:
>>>
>>><< Any Problems? >>
>>>
>>>You'll find plenty in the archives. I was ready to go the TiiCo route,
>>>
>>>
>but
>
>
>>>several things give me pause.
>>>
>>>Firstly, I have read scores of emails on this list regarding problems
>>>
>>>
>with
>
>
>>>the TiiCo installations, yet, I never recall seeing a reply from the
>>>
>>>
>elusive
>
>
>>>Peter who I am lead to believe is Mr. TiiCo incarnate.
>>>
>>>Secondly, the TiiCo website used to proclaim that their kit was the only
>>>
>>>
>one
>
>
>>>"authorized by VW". Once that claim was questioned on this list, it
>>>disappeared from their website. So, I have to wonder about the veracity
>>>
>>>
>of
>
>
>>>TiiCo's representations.
>>>
>>>Thirdly, the explanation of the oil starvation problem in their engines
>>>
>>>
>which
>
>
>>>was posted here by Jon (TiiCo's tech support? Who knows?) was so lame
>>>
>>>
>that I
>
>
>>>considered it doublespeak.
>>>
>>>Lastly, and perhaps above all, a list member recently shared with me a
>>>
>>>
>pmail
>
>
>>>reply sent to him regarding his ongoing efforts to sort out his Tiico
>>>installation and it amounted to just a nasty bit of venting.
>>>
>>>George
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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