Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 19:28:24 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine rebuild/swap in an AT
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2007052112373919@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
While the states have various levels of enforcement and laws regarding
meeting EPA requirements, at the federal level, conversions,
modifications, etc. of any emissions related equipment is not legal. Now,
off of that band wagon.
The major issue of fuel economy is really the vehicle itself. Aero
dynamics and the drive line layout are the biggest obstacles. A new, more
modern engines may have some efficiency improvements but this is limited
to 2-5% at best. Diesel may offer 20-30% due to the higher energy content
and no vacuum loses, (Diesels do not have throttles), but the particulate
and NOx emissions are nasty and will be regulated in the future most
everywhere. We have Diesel emissions testing here in NY and even new
Diesel cars are basically banned.
With that said, unless you are cobbling a conversion with some combination
of used parts, and doing your own labor, you will never get a payback
based on economy. The conversion justification needs to base on drive
ability and desire for something unique. The other obstacle is the Vanagon
auto tranny especially without a locking torque converter. There is always
some slip which wastes power and makes heat.
The Vanagon auto tranny is a simple device and any competent tranny shop
should be able to handle it. If it isn’t broke, maybe don’t fix it. Taken
care of, it will give warning when the time is near. As for the engine, I
really do not see the boxer as unreliable. Yes, it has some features that
can make for a bad day but let's face it. A lot of cars break down. That
is how al those towing companies stay in business.
If you do want a conversion, I am a bit partial to the subie. If fits and
looks like it belongs. They work very well and you stay with the stock
gearing and some taller tires.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Mark Hersh
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 12:30 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Engine rebuild/swap in an AT
Thanks, Dennis. What we want to do is improve mpg as much as possible.
That's sounding tough given the automatic. I'd like to do a Diesel swap
but that would probably involve swapping the AT for a 4 speed with taller
4th gear or the factory 5 speed.
I think conversions in here in Washington state are legal provided they
pass emissions testing, but the conversion to the Diesel... I don't know.
On Fri, 18 May 2007 08:21:41 -0400, Dennis Haynes
<d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
wrote:
>If fuel economy is the goal then an upgraded water boxer is not a
favorable
>option. Presently, VW is offering reman engines again. It appears that
new
>cases and new , non AMC heads are normal on these. 12 month/no mileage
limit
>warranty. List is ~$2,570. As for Subies, maybe a 5% improvement unless
you
>cans also do some gear changes and get lucky. Not likely with the auto.
>Larger tires can help with the re-gearing. As for a Diesel, do you have
an
>emissions program where your are? Is a conversion legal? will it be
later?
>What will the payoff be?
>
>Dennis
>
>
>>From: Mark Hersh <markhersh@MSN.COM>
>>Reply-To: Mark Hersh <markhersh@MSN.COM>
>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>Subject: Engine rebuild/swap in an AT
>>Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 19:25:51 -0400
>>
>>It's time for us to think about that. We have an 86 Weekender with
240K,
>>2.1 WBX and an auto tranny. I have been doing a bit of research into
the
>>Subie and also a diesel. Just got done talking to a mechanic with lots
of
>>Vanagon experience and he says to consider the Subie along with a 2.2 or
>>2.3 WBX rebuild. He says the diesel with the AT would require a ring
and
>>pinion set that would increase the cost another 1500$, even on top of
the
>>AT rebuild we were planning at the same time(240K miles, after all).
>>
>>One of the main reasons we were considering both the Subie and the
diesel
>>was the increased mpg. From what I've read I think we can reasonably
expect
>>20-24 mpg from a 2.2 Subaru.
>>
>>But a WBX rebuild.... ? Can anyone who has upgraded to a 2.2 or 2.3 L
>>rebuild with an AT report their mpg (with driving style)? We are not
hot-
>>rods, 65, 70 mph tops.
>>
>>We are here in Seattle and he recommends a rebuild from Wolfsburg
>>Motorwerks. I got a recommendation for KC Martin in Lynnwood for the AT
>>work. Any comments on those places?
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Mark
>>86 Westfalia Weekender "Monty"
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