Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 15:10:15 -0800
Reply-To: Joel VanderKwaak <joelvanderkwaak@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joel VanderKwaak <joelvanderkwaak@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Conversions
In-Reply-To: <182308.8995.qm@web50507.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I would have gone with the Bostig setup if it was legal in California,
but it seems that's not in the cards. I went with a Subie 2.2,
self-installed with parts from Seth and Smallcar, and am quite happy.
On Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 2:28 PM, Dave Mari <vw4x41987@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi Peter,
>
> Its true there is a quiet, but growing following for the Zetec kit that Bostig has to offer. I thinks it has more to do with not investing so much of ones own sweat and time into the conversion. The Bostig kit is a put it in and drive kinda thing! I have had their kit installed for over 27,000 mile now and have had to do nothing but normal maintence, which has been a real nice change. One one thing you did not cover below is Jim and Brady's super customer support, which is worth more than their prices reflect.
>
>
> Cheere,
> Dave 87 Syncro Westy Zetec!
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Peter Young <pyjme@aol.com>
> Date: Mar 3, 2008 4:33 PM
> Subject: Engine Conversions
> To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>
>
> All of this talk about engine conversion options - Tiico, Jetta
> engines, inline 4's, Subaru engines - yet no one ever talks about the
> Bostig conversion! I currently own a
> 1981 westy, but I hope in the future to either: go Neil's route and
> convert it to water cooled OR buy a water cooled van and convert it
> into a camper (using the 81' guts -
> I love the faux wood grain!). Either way, I want to drop in the
> Bostig conversion because I like the Zetec engine and the fact that
> their kit comes as a turnkey motor with mounts and all of the
> appropriate conversion parts (which is really only one engine/tranny
> mating part), and I currently own a 2001 Ford Focus wagon with the
> same engine. The Focus has really demonstrated the reliability and
> power of this engine. I have only had to get it worked on once for a
> bad exhaust sensor, and it only cost me $150. Besides that, just
> change the oil regularly and I haven't had to think about that car
> running. The Bostig conversion gives you that same reliability in your
> vanagon (who doesn't want that!), 130hp that doesn't require any
> engine compartment mods, and actually improves ground clearance in the
> rear (if you pay a little more for the shortened oil pan). In addition
> to all of this, the engine tune is selectable between octanes and can
> be set for an economy mode to improve gas mileage. For a price there
> are also super chargers available if you want, though they just make a
> vanagon ridiculously, obscenely more powerfully than anyone really
> needs (up to 195hp).
>
> What's the downside? It is an expensive conversion initially. The kit
> is $8775, then add $225 for the shortened oil pan. If you want the
> super charger it's another $2950. THe ECU reprogrammer to change tunes
> comes included with the engine. While expensive, it doesn't seem that
> bad when compared to the other kits where you may have to refurbish
> the donor engine before installing it, fabricate mounts, buy extra
> proprietary conversion parts, etc. etc...?? The Bostig conversion is
> just a simple drop in, requiring you to only hook up the coolant
> lines, fuel line (the fuel return line is eliminated - another
> bonus!), 7 wires, and a couple other small things. That's it. Bostig
> says just about any automotive shop can do the conversion in 10 hours,
> and that anyone with only a little knowledge could do it in about 15
> hours. Personally, it would probably take me longer than that but than
> I am not the brightest weekend mechanic in the world by far (just look
> at my previous posts!). Another thing to consider is that after the
> initial investment, your maintenance costs are going to be almost nil
> - this is probably a case where you really do get what you pay for.
> Here are the links to the Bostig site and a YouTube video of their
> super charged test van in action:
>
> http://bostig.com/products/zetec/
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B9_FeHKlXE
>
> All of the proceeding rant is, of course, just my opinion based on
> what I have heard about other conversions and info from online. I
> haven't actually seen a Bostig van in person. I would be interested to
> hear if anyone out there has the Bostig conversion - is it really all
> they say it is?
>
>
>
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