Date:         Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:49:21 -0400
Reply-To:     John Reddick <SVYOLO@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Reddick <SVYOLO@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: More Conversion motor rap.

The reason diesels are not popular Vanagon conversions in the US is that
their were very few auto diesels, of any type, sold  in the US.  The only
one that fits is a VW.  They never sold well in the US.  The engines are
scarce and extremely expensive on the used market. A TDI conversion, using a
new engine, would cost 14,000 bucks to produce. You then have to regear your
transmission.  Mandatory if you want to drive on the highway.  You are now
into a 16,000 engine conversion.
    An individual might find the odd used engine here or there, but as a
full time business the engines are effectively unavailable.  Importing used
engines from Europe is economically feasible, but they have no parts support
here in the US. None. Nobody reputable would sell an engine that cannot be
supported, save the folks that import the South African stuff.
    We would love to offer TDI conversions.  It is simply not an
economically feasible adventure.  We have been asked at least a dozen times
if we would do a TDI conversion.  We always said yes. When we quoted 14k,
plus the transmission rebuild, nobody ever bought one.
    I know one of the next posts will be "wow, I can't wait for one of those
new Subaru diesels." For the forseeable future in the US, they are not
available either.
    Before I ever did my first conversion  (SVX Westy) a few years ago I
looked into all available options, including a TDI.  I looked for an
affordable TDI engine for a year with no luck. In the end, the SVX was
affordable and available locally. It cost me 2-4k less than it would have
cost to do a TDI.
    I have looked long and hard at other engines that might fit in a
Vanagon.  1.8T's fit about as well as a Zetec or Ecotec, but the engines are
much more expensive.  The one shop doing them charges 11-12k by the time you
get out the door. A turn key based on this engine would cost 11k. Just like
the Subaru, the limitation is getting the wiring harnesses affordably.  Audi
v-6's also fit about as well, but they are also more expensive and limited
in number.
   I was hoping to find a small Japanese V6 that would fit.  I have taken a
tape measure to every engine you can name sold in the US.  Not one small V6,
save the Audi, that I have measured even comes close.

   John