Date:         Tue, 5 Jul 2005 16:16:22 -0400
Reply-To:     Laurence Smith <laurence@ALANASMITH.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Laurence Smith <laurence@ALANASMITH.COM>
Subject:      Re: Engine Choices - Call for Data
Comments: To: Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <001901c57e6a$a95e2640$26d1d646@t41>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

When I first purchased my 90 Westy it didn't take long for me to get
frustrated with the engine.  After a few months I started researching the
conversion options and settled on the Subaru 2.2 from the 1990-1994 Subaru
Legacy.

Here's why I converted using a 1991 EJ22 engine:
* reputation for reliability
* very good power and torque
* quiet and smooth
* no distributor, has double spark (exhaust and power strokes)
* has engine dignostics via engine codes
* good gas mileage
* plentiful and cheap parts availability
* good support group (SubaruVanagon list)
* several vendors sell all the bits and pieces needed for the conversion
* engines are cheap to purchase
* fits very well in the engine bay
* overall price is the same as a rebuilt wasserbox

Some of the challenges:
* building the wire harness is long a tedious (but there are vendors
selling them now)
* cooling system fabrication has several options
* deciding whether to use a KEP or Small Car mounting system
* oil pan can be too low for a Carat or Weekender (vendors now sell
shortened pans)
* trying not to drive too fast (I've had mine up to 100 mph)

- Laurence


At 02:28 PM 7/1/05, Larry Chase wrote:
>Volks,
>
>The next "Review / Report Page" I want to do is Vanagon Engine Choices.
>
>I'll model it after the Shops and Tire Review pages, but will also do a
>table that lists all the common approaches in a side by side easy to see
>comparison.
>
>So .... all you Engine Guru's ... please send me your write ups,
>spreadsheets and other related data and opinions.
>
>Everyone that has a conversion of some type ... please send me a
>review/report of your engine.
>
>
>
>Larry Chase
>www.roadhaus.com <http://www.roadhaus.com/>
>www.roadhaus.com/shops.html
>www.roadhaus.com/tires.html



  Laurence Smith
  Alan A. Smith Inc.
  17 Lynndale Dr.
  Dundas, Ontario, Canada L9H 3L4
  T: +1 905 628 4682
  F: +1 905 628 1364
  E: laurence@alanasmith.com
  W: www.miduss.com
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