Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:04:31 -0700
Reply-To: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Replacement Options
In-Reply-To: <c4e7c5f90808111134o51468547r6fd1b5828448a98f@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hey that's great Neil! When do I get a ride?
On Mon, Aug 11, 2008 at 11:34 AM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Seems so! --- :^)
>
> Removed the "coil" relay, replaced it with #12 wire from 15 to Jetta
> coil. The relay inadvertently got power from alternator blue wire,
> through instrument panel, to 15 then back to the "coil" relay which
> kept it on.
>
> Drove my "handbrake only" shut off route. Engine shut off properly.
> Bonus: restarts warm/up to temp with less cranking.
>
> Thanks to Mark Drillock and Dennis Haynes, (and my relentless pursuit
> of happiness), the culprit was found.
>
> Originally I thought heat was keeping the coil relay on. (relay box
> was close to exhaust. I moved it)
>
> IMHO, my reason for installing it was sound, but was the wrong
> solution. The Jetta coil/*part* of ECU get power from a #12 wire in
> the Jetta harness. Being larger than the #16 Vanagon coil wire, I was
> concerned about exceeding the limits of the #16 wire.
>
> FWIW, you can *just* fit a #12, and the two black 15 wires into a #10
> female push on connector.
>
> And yes. Soon. He shall be christened.
>
> I hope to do a "shake down" over night up at Nairn falls soon. First I
> gotta replace the rear shoes. One set is cracking. :(
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 11, 2008 at 10:27 AM, Jake de Villiers
> <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
> > So you fixed the handbrake/engine turning off thing Neil?
> >
> > You're talking like its all over, in which case we should have a Launch
> > Party and break a beer over your van's nose! :)
> >
> > On Mon, Aug 11, 2008 at 9:49 AM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Re: #1
> >>
> >> A fellow on the samba list, "tencentlife", seems to have a good rep
> >> with his wbx rebuilds. Might be worth checking out.
> >>
> >> From what I've heard, GEX rebuilts has a poor rep. FWIW....
> >>
> >> Re: #2 and #3. And this is the POV of a first timer and just my .02
> >>
> >> Buying a used turnkey engine, or install kits, will save time if it's
> >> all there and working. And not that you asked but.....
> >>
> >> Depending on your wheeling/dealing skills and level of understanding
> >> in what's needed for a conversion, IF you choose to cobble parts
> >> together or part out a Vanagon and cobble parts together, this will
> >> likely increase your project time substantially. But, you MAY save
> >> money. From my POV, and in hindsight, the saved money weighed against
> >> spending more on a kit, hardly seems worth it. Remember this; you are
> >> already saving a bunch by doing it yourself. On my project I cobbled
> >> and built parts from scratch. I also removed parts from a Vanagon.
> >> Took WAY more time. No regrets as I learned a lot, but there were
> >> times when a kit or used turnkey setup looked really attractive! ---
> >> :^)
> >>
> >> Wiring? A bit apples to oranges, but I installed a Jetta 2.0 with
> >> Motronic 2.9 (OBD1). It has at least 7 sensors for the engine
> >> management. Depending on the year, the 2.2 may be similar. The hardest
> >> parts, for me were finding all the flaws in a 15 YO wiring harness and
> >> learning how to properly read the Bentley wiring diagrams, and tracing
> >> (confirming) every wire with a VOM. (ECU to all the plugs etc.)
> >>
> >> There are people/companies that can do the harness for you but if you
> >> did it yourself, and IMHO, the Suby swap is documented way better than
> >> what I did so the wiring harness would be easier. And....
> >>
> >> .... if I can do the wiring job, most anyone can. I had a little
> >> experience playing around with radios as a kid, and had a very basic
> >> understanding of DC/AC circuits, knew how to solder, so this helped.
> >> Still, it was very *basic*. But, I got it done. (with a little help
> >> from this list --- ;^)
> >>
> >> It looks like your $ estimate is similar for #2 and #3.
> >>
> >> Personally, I'd go for #2. Likely the engine is "stock" and you might
> >> be able to find out how many actual miles are on the engine.
> >>
> >> IMHO, most people care a LOT about their conversion, but you never
> >> know what mayhem has gone on in another conversion install. And why
> >> are they selling it? Of course this is true for any vehicle, but just
> >> a thought.
> >>
> >> IMHO, keep your options and your eyes open. You never know what may show
> >> up.
> >>
> >> Cheers,
> >>
> >> Neil.
> >>
> >> On Mon, Aug 11, 2008 at 8:40 AM, Jon Rizzo <the_rizzos@mac.com> wrote:
> >> > I feel I am at an impasse regarding the replacement of the engine my
> >> > syncro westy. I am definitely on a pretty tight budget (under4000) but
> >> > don't want to cut corners that will only cost me money later. I have
> >> > have spent the last month researching options. I have narrowed it down
> >> > to three choices and I would love to have the opinions of this board.
> >> >
> >> > 1) rebuilt wbx motor, I know bus depot has them available but I am
> >> > unsure about their rebuilder even after speaking with them on the
> >> > phone. I can't get Boston Bob to return my phone calls soo... cost
> >> > 1800-2800 plus my labor
> >> >
> >> > 2) used 2.2, smallcar parts kit. I have a neighbor with a 92 legacy
> >> > that could part out to save some money, but I am nervous about the
> >> > wiring part even though I have some experience in that area. cost
> >> > 2450-3450 plus my labor, minus what I could part out the legacy wagon
> >> > for.
> >> >
> >> > 3) used 2wd vanagon with a 2.2 conversion already in place that I
> >> > could then part out and recoup some of my money. This seems to be my
> >> > best option as I could drive the van and could make sure all the parts
> >> > work together and who doesn't need more spare parts around? cost
> >> > 3000-3500
> >> >
> >> > Let me know what you think.
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
> >>
> >>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
> >> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> >> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jake
> > 1984 Vanagon GL
> > 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> > Crescent Beach, BC
> > www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> > http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
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