Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2005 08:21:41 -0800
Reply-To: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Other engine conversion options?<F>
In-Reply-To: <BAY10-DAV2976545BEAC8AB1022CBC6D2950@phx.gbl>
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On Sat, 8 Jan 2005 09:13:34 -0500, Hans Achter <hansachter@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Ben,
> Sounds like you got not one, but two screaming deals on your engine installation, so I think we can
> agree that the cost of a 15° conversion is comparable to the cost of a subaru conversion, all
> depending on how much you do yourself and the cost of the parts you find.
> Well, I can't really agree the 50° system is cheaper yet. How much do the 50° parts cost? Do the
> diesel mounting parts fit right onto a gas engine? Why does anybody bother with the 15° conversions
> if the 50° parts are cheaper (it must be much easier to boot, right)? Does the 50° method fit into
> a syncro? I'm not being facetious; I really don't know.
> -Hans
>
Hans,
Much of this in the archives. But just as a quickie, the 50°
conversion (also used in the Eurospec & later Tiico) fits both Syncro
and 2wd. My 1989 Syncro 16 Doka had a 1.6td from the factory (now has
a 1.9td). The bellhousing for the diesel is key. The gas inline-4 is
basically the same block in that the mounting points are the same. So
yes it will fit the Syncro. The bellhousing is the key. You may not
like to know this but I bought two other packages of diesel specific
parts for installing a VW inline-4 into a Vanagon for less than $100
per set. I even passed up on a dead diesel van for free where these
parts come from. As for engines, I gave away a VW fox last year which
had a good engine. There's always a few cars being given away on local
bulletin boards. Like anything else, the more effort you put into
something, the greater the rewards.
If you really want to get down and dirty about it, I can put an engine
conversion for myself for under $500 on any given day. That excludes
labor. If I am yanking out an engine and selling it's remains, that
could make the swap free with only my labor being the factor. Now I
infrequently do major work on my cars as I am more effective making
money on other enterprises and letting someone else do my grunt work.
Besides, my local shop can work better and more efficiently than I
can.
From the average Joe's point. The parts can be sourced from ebay or
wrecking yards for $100-$500 on places like ebay. Engines are
typically about $500-$1000 from wrecking yards. From that perspective
the conversion may sounds more expensive. But them there are also lots
of Subie conversion folks out there who get their rigs done in similar
fashion and cost. Mostly more.
This is again another question which is answered extensively in the
archives. The 50° mounting vs. the 15° kit has many proponents and
opponents for one or the other. The 15° is more easily repeatable due
to parts availability. Everything is relative. I've never had a lot of
trouble getting parts. I am happy to discuss this further by pmail as
I don't think we should clog the archives with issues that have been
argued extensively in the past.
BenT
ps: no i am not going to do a converson for anyone else unless they
can pay what i get paid for for what i do for a living. =)
