Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 21:10:19 +0000
Reply-To: Chris DeLong <green536@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Chris DeLong <green536@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Easiest Platform to Convert to I-4 FROM?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
I take it you sleep with your feet toward the rear window?
Chris DeLong
Fine Tuning
206.427.4777
www.finetuningperformance.com
Seattle, WA USA
>From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
>Reply-To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Easiest Platform to Convert to I-4 FROM?
>Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 13:23:59 -0700
>
>Naw... I was referring to *MY* silence here...
>
>Gasoline motors are easier to get vibration free than Diesel motors... once
>my TDI is running, you can't tell at idle from 'the seat of your pants'.
>
>The bed issue is really a none issue in my books. There are two options.
>If you have a Westfalia style bed setup (not weekender style) you can use
>the Reimo bed hinges that we sell for $235 USD. These hinges make the seat
>the same height as normal in the seat position and 12cm higher in the bed
>position. They work just like the original units. This 'new' storage area
>under the bed can be used for tools, jack, booster cables and other 'stuff'
>that normally takes up space under the seat that you could better use for
>things that you actually use on a day to day basis in stead of on an
>occasional basis. For people on the cheap, a 2nd mattress works fine. The
>surface area of the seat and of the mattress is about the same so in the
>bed
>position, sliding the 2nd mattress forward will level everything out and
>make it much softer to sleep on. I find the seat much to hard for my back.
>
>David Marshall
>
>Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
>4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
>Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
>
>http://www.fastforward.ca mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
>Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
>- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
>- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
>- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models
>
>
>Due to the large volume of email we receive, PLEASE include previous
>emails when responding. This will allow us to read the complete dialogue
>in one message and will result in quicker and more accurate responses.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
>Of Robert Keezer
>Sent: April 27, 2004 11:37 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Easiest Platform to Convert to I-4 FROM?
>
>
>How dare you equivocate my posting as "silence"! Oh, Hi David-sorry,
>did'nt
>see it was you!!!!!
>
>I can't disagree with you but I can offer you or anyone else to drive my
>Westy. One drive and you know it's OK to like the 51 degree angle. I have
>no
>vibration or clutch problems.
>
>Yes, it's more of a challenge to know the various twists and turns to
>arrive
>at a completed conversion of the 51 variety, but some have argued that the
>raised rear bed isn't practical for those like me who sleep with their head
>at the rear. Sitting up must be fun with the raised bed.
>
>However, if I did'nt have that preference or my Vanagon was a standard, I
>might very well go with the adapter plate . It does make for a faster
>install without a doubt.
>
>And , in my case, I could have kept the 95 Golf engine intact with the head
>and crossflow intake manifold , instead of swapping to to a 1.8 head.
>
>So if i had a nice Carat or Wolfsburg, DOKa or such i most likely would do
>the adaptor plate.
>
>I used a KEP when I put a Audi 4-cyl into a 78 Bus. 15 degrees, and no lid
>raising.
>
>Had to use a flaaat air cleaner though-
>
>
>Robert k
>
>1982 Westfalia
>
>
>----Original Message Follows----
>From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
>Reply-To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Easiest Platform to Convert to I-4 FROM?
>Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 09:14:49 -0700
>
>OK... I'll break silence here! :)
>
>I have driven several TDI Vanagons now, both 2WD and Syncro. Both a 15
>degrees and 50 degrees. 50 degrees is how they do it in Europe as there is
>a real abundance of used parts on the market there. I can honestly say
>that
>the 15 degree setup is better. Two of my friends in Germany asked
>(begged!)
>me to take my VAG-COM over so I could change the idle speed to reduce the
>vibrations with their TDI setup. Both has mirror vibration and trim issues
>at the 902 RPM stock idle setting. The amount of general noise transferred
>to the interior was more on the 50 degree setup as well. Most of the 50
>degree TDI owners are suffering clutch slippage with the 215mm clutch and
>usually go with some wildly complicated mix and match of TDI/VR6 parts,
>with
>the 15 degree setup you can use the stock 226mm clutch, heavy duty stock
>(Sachs) or in my cost a the KEP Stage 1 clutch good for about 230ft.lbs of
>torque. It is all hydraulic so clutch feel is the same and there is
>definatly NO clutch slippage on my TDI! The other problem that I see with
>the 50 degree stuff is it is all used, at least 20 years old and there are
>several revisions of it out there so if you start to mix an match you run
>into problems. A lot of the parts are no longer available from the dealer
>so getting replacements is very hard and expensive. Unlike Europe we don't
>have an abundance of Syncro fuel tanks to use the 50 degree setup here. In
>fact, the Syncro 50 degree hangers are different so we really don't have a
>good setup for the Syncro owners here in North America. For a nice, clean,
>reliable conversion that works equally as well with a Syncro or 2WD I would
>start with a 15 degree setup as it all new components as it has less
>vibrations than the 50 degree setup, you do not have to chop your frame for
>gasoline engines, more space on both sides of the motor for simpler intake
>and exhaust configurations and the parts are always available.
>
>David Marshall
>
>Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
>4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
>Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
>
>http://www.fastforward.ca mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
>Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
>- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
>- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
>- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models
>
>
>Due to the large volume of email we receive, PLEASE include previous
>emails when responding. This will allow us to read the complete dialogue
>in one message and will result in quicker and more accurate responses.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
>Of Eric Zeno
>Sent: April 27, 2004 8:14 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Easiest Platform to Cnvert to I-4 FROM?
>
>
>"Since this is all VW- it makes sense to use it. Only automatics need a
>adapter plate."
>
>This is just not true. A diesel bell housing will not
>fit in a Syncro. You can replace the fuel tank to make it fit,
>but in this case, anything will fit anything. It also will not
>allow an inline to be install at any other angle other than 51 deg.,
>unlike a KEP set up.
>Rob, your clutch pressure plate and fylwheel is smaller
>than the stock 2.1L engines. You think this is better?.
>I think you better take back the personal preference part?
>As for cost it my be cheaper. Definately better.
>Eric
>
>
>
>Robert Keezer wrote:
>
> > Eric wrote:
> >
> > <<The "Best" way" is a KEP adapter. With this you get a bigger
> > clutch. Diesel bell housing is only avaliable at 51 Deg. installation.
> > unlike the KEP adapter. Air cooled tranaxle will do you not good.>>
> >
> > Ok- this is a just person's preference or a requirement if converting
>an
> > automatic, not the "best "advice. The best advice is do what ever is
>most
> > practical for you.
> >
> > There is nothing wrong with the Diesel type conversion- I have had one
> > for 8
> > years. The Diesel parts can be hard to find.
> >
> > What makes the Diesel style nice is it keeps the engine below the lid.
> >
> > The Diesel transaxle has a lower final drive which slows down the car
> > so the
> > trick is to bolt the bellhousing to your air-cooled or watercooled
> > Vanagon
> > transmission for better cruising rpm.
> >
> > All the inline-fours VW made til 1999 will bolt up to a Diesel Vanagon
> > bellhousing.
> >
> > Since this is all VW- it makes sense to use it. Only automatics need a
> > adapter plate.
> >
> > The air-cooled transmission has the best cruising final drive ratio
> > for fule
> > economy but if you need more torque, use a WBX trans.
> >
> > Bear in mind that there are a lot of details involved and no two can
> > be done
> > the same- there will be problems to solve specific to your
> > installation that
> > you can't read about.
> >
> > The basics for a Diesel type are: firewall clearancing, the swapping of
> > parts from Diesel engine and trans to gas engine and trans,exhaust
> > system,air intake, and the splicing in the engine harness .
> >
> > My first one took 3 months working a few hours a day and weekends.
> >
> > Currently running a '95 Golf 2.0 Motronic.
> >
> > Robert
> >
> > 1982 Westfalia
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > T Berk wrote:
> >
> >> I understand it's the Diesel transaxle that makes it possible to use
>an
> >> inline four block in Vanagons.
> >>
> >> With that in mind, is it any easier to start with an early air cooled
>or
> >> later water cooled Vanagon and just adding the nessesary parts?
> >>
> >> Or is starting w/ a diesel Vanagon the best way to end up with a two
> >> liter inline-4 block?
> >>
> >>
> >> tia,
> >> TBerk
> >>
> >>
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get rid of annoying pop-up ads with the new MSN Toolbar – FREE!
> > http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200414ave/direct/01/
> >
> >
>
>
>Robert
>1982 Westfalia 1987 Wolfsburg
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Get rid of annoying pop-up ads with the new MSN Toolbar – FREE!
>http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200414ave/direct/01/
_________________________________________________________________
Get rid of annoying pop-up ads with the new MSN Toolbar – FREE!
http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200414ave/direct/01/
| 
