Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 14:28:15 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Conversions
In-Reply-To: <8CA4B8D6BFEF842-B44-FBE@webmail-nf03.sim.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi there,
I've been saying the same thing too, how come no one on here is talking
about their zetec conversions, and where are all these conversions ? Almost
like they are mythical.
I poked on that hard somewhat a few months ago, and got a few reports. One
guy said his was parked for the winter.
It was suggested that zetec conversion people don't need to go blabbing
about it all the time.
And there's a forum or group at the Bostig site, and I read some messages,
but couldn't sign up for some reason .
I image they are pretty good.
I'm a little anti-ford myself ( like don't want to be dealing with any of
the typical red neck big truck driving guys I'd expect to find at a ford
dealership parts department - it's just not my demographic - I equate that
whole mentality with loving the war in Iraq, but obviously I'm a bit
overboard there ) ....
But I'm always looking for 'the solid easily available rugged engine and
package- this should be it.
I don't know where you are.
I'm in orgeon.
On the west coast we have tdi, TD, and soobie conversions up the wazoo.
Bostig is at the other end of the country, and culturally another world I
think.
But I still am saying, well, if they're so great, WHERE are they all ??
Daryl of AAA transaxle in Seattle drove one,
Think he said it was a tiny bit buzzy, and he's ordered one last I heard.
9 grand not including any labor does sound a bit steep all right.
But if it's really dialed in perfectly and 'boring' trouble free, that's
what we want.
And if it's ten hours shop labor, that would be 700 dollars or so, plus
fluids, call it 750 to 800 on top of the 9 grand kit - you got a 10K
conversion, which is what many professionally done conversions cost.
But where are these near mythical zetec conversions ?
I know of scads of TD, tdi, and soobie conversions, hundreds of them.
But nary a zetec, other than hearing that they exist here and there.
What IS up with that anyway ?
Scott
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Peter Young
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 1:34 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Engine Conversions
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?
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.3/1308 - Release Date: 3/3/2008
10:01 AM
