Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:52:54 -0700
Reply-To: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Upon seeing Bostig's handiwork
In-Reply-To: <254380C2-4FCE-4036-BCCC-B2406BBB4959@knology.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
It burns rubber!
No, not as a fuel, Jim laid a patch of rubber
20-30 feet on the street in front of the shop
while I watched. Zetechs crank it out!
Yes, I was there at Bostig this summer-it's
taken me a while to write to the list about my 2
day visit in mid-June this year.
I have been a skeptic and VW engine only guy
since I converted my Vanagon to the Jetta motor
(now with 216,000 on it)in 1995. . My inline four
Jetta engine has been reliable, but not as
powerful due to the limits placed by VW in the
ECU, the cam, etc.
When I first walked into Bostig Engineering's
shop , the first thing I saw was a row of inline
-four Zetech engines assembly-line like , lined
up on a long work bench.
The small shop is packed with machine shop
equipment. A 1920's Model T garage they told me.
Jim and Brady explained to me all that they know
, and by the end of the second day and a test
ride I was convinced against all my prejudice.
The engine is smooth and quiet, thanks to the
long muffler pipe design that wraps around the
engine. No vibration, the engine cradle with
mounts takes care of that, and looks like a rv
ladder .
Just as Jim Felder explained, this engine can be
tweaked with a laptop or a handheld scanner and
has several modes you can change to for your
desired driving mode.
I haven't decribed barely anything about this
engine as Jim or Brady can, though.
At the point of convincing I said" what does it
matter that it's not VW engine?".
Jim's reply was " But it IS a VW engine!
He explained , very patiently, that most
technology in the design is borrowed now days
and that no one in automobile manuafacturing is
truly unique, from fuel injection systems to
engine design.
I have to agree that a Ford Focus block looks
very much like a 2.0 inline four Jetta block.
The guys at Bostig explained that this engine is
a Ford "World" engine, all metric, made to be
sold and serviced the world around.
Ok, so maybe most of you were paying attention
all this time Bostig has been telling you this.
I turned a deaf list ear until I drove the Focus
Vanagon down the road and pressed the pedal to
the floor- it roars!. Loud enough to hear , even
if you are Ford deaf like me.
I could have used this power on my trip. My old
inline is getting tired- this 10,000 mile or less
engine has power and torque to spare.
It could easily pull my 600 lb trailer without
noticing any slow-down.
Here's a brief comparison of the Jetta 2.0 hp A
engine and the 2.0 Zetech:
ABA: 115 hp, 126 ft lb torque
Zetech: 130 hp, 130 ft lbs torque.
(Guys, forgive me if I have the numbers wrong)
I've only touched on some of what was told me.
I think the Zetech kit is the way to go if you
can't get the conversion parts to do a Jetta
inline, or don't want a Subaru. (and have been
scared away by the Tiico)
Certainly if you want more power and torque-
going from a WBX motor you will notice the power
and have a hard time letting off the gas because
driving a Vanagon that takes off like it has a
V-8 in it is fun.
I also think this is a good modern choice as it
is compatible to be run on alcohol blended fuels.
I saw these fuels for sale on my trip , E-85 as
low as 2.10 a gallon in corn country.
I also visited Boston Bob, and he thinks big of
Bostig Engineering. It's a small shop, but the
product is so well designed you would think it
came from a huge factory.
I also am amazed at the knowledge The Bostig
engineers possess.
The Zetech conversion is an original design, and
my first impression was likethese guys are
modern day inventors.
You can't see and drive the Zetech engine in a
Vanagon without saying "I need this".
Robert
1982 Westfalia
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