Date:         Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:07:55 -0800
Reply-To:     sam mccarthy <sfcompost@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         sam mccarthy <sfcompost@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      vanagon engine conversions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hey all converters and convertees out there, just had to throw my two cents in the ring.
So far it seems most of the points to consider have been. I would add though, in my mind, the one thing the diesel allows that the others don't is the use of biodiesel fuel.  I realize that while ethanol isn't gasoline - read Oil, Bush Cheney Iraq and all that- ethanol is, and will be for a long time to come,  made of the most inefficient feed stock-----corn.
The biodiesel I use in my Skidsteer loader to make compost is made of waste vegi-oil and currently goes for $3/gal.  The skidsteer is a Gehl with a German-made Duetz direct injected turbo-diesel (TDI just like the VW TDI I'm considering putting in place of my jetta inline 4 currently in my 81 Westy)   and it runs better, starts better, uses less fuel, and even has pleasant smelling exhaust!
I hate diesels too, when I'm behind a big pickup and the exhaust makes my eyes and my throat and my lungs sting.  But Biodiesel solves that, and anyone who comes to my yard and gets a whiff of the loader can't help but smile and ask what's going on?
Currently I don't make my own bd but it isn't that hard to do if you have some time to build the brewer or $ to buy one.
But back to the point.

I don't think there will ever be a perfect engine conversion for the vanagon.  Just choices. I mean, just consider the arguments over what stock engine vs. other stock engine is best when the factory puts more than one in a car.

I like my inline 4, 2 liter  vw engine just fine.  At about 115 to 120 HP it gets the van moving better than the wbx,  gets 23 to 25 mpg at 75 mph and 22 in town. Will go as fast as any traffic, but still have to downshift into 3rd on steep climbs more than I'd like, but it makes a great van engine.

All that I've heard about subie motors and now, lately with all the firing back and forth here, the zetec sounds great too. But for me I just feel its time to kick the oil habit as much as possible and the diesel can do that.

Just so you don't think I'm nuts for swapping a perfectly good engine, my 81 westy was rear-ended recently and with the insurance $ I'm working on a newer body. My advice?  keep records of all the $$ you spend on your conversion as it is very difficult to get the insurance company to consider the added value to the vehicle when you build it instead of buy the conversion. Maybe even when you buy it!

btw does anyone have a pair of diesel vanagon engine cradle bars? mine were bent in the wreck.  I have a good diesel radiator as well as other 81 parts.

Sam in Santa Fe
81 westy,
90 carat
84 gl parts/storage