Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (March 2008, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 3 Mar 2008 20:25:58 -0500
Reply-To:     Jonce Fancher <streetbugs@WHISPLLC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jonce Fancher <streetbugs@WHISPLLC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Engine Conversions
In-Reply-To:  <182308.8995.qm@web50507.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi Im about 85% done with my Zetec conversion. Its been fun, Like a Model kit just no glue just locktite. small issues along the way but minimal. But Ive got the Early version of the "KIT" Im a bit slower with putting it together then most of the others. I have alot more hours then what they say it will take but thats by choice. Simplicity on me is always a bonus and the kit is VERY Complete. I only had to supply a few little things for the kit and I also went with the A/C unit to make the A/C in the Van Breath again. Will be nice to have a modern day vanagon on the road that I can get engine parts for in any of the lower 48 states with out trying to explain that VW made it for only 2.5 years and parts avail have dried up. (joy of the 85 1.9L engine). Should be fun and Im very close to completion. I will give a report when completed. I still have the 84 with the stock 1.9L but it still has only 24k on it and runs like a top. still all in good fun. C-ya Jonce

>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?

> ____________________________________________________________________________________ >Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. >http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

Jonce Fancher

56 Single Cab 66 Sunroof Bug 66 Variant Squareback 66 Porsche 912 71 Sunroof Bus 84 Vanagon "Gottfried" 85 Vanagon Westi 2003 10 Passenger Sprinter

Fancher's Upholstery Inc. - www.fanchers.com Not-A-VW Club- http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransont3/notavwclub/


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.