Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:49:34 -0700
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Replacement Options
In-Reply-To: <467CC245-8CC7-47C5-9D29-DF3CC2A1F324@mac.com>
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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/