Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:38:37 -0700
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Subject: Re: sorry, (I-4 conversion reply from digest)
In-Reply-To: <000f01c9046a$c6f29180$4001a8c0@gateway.2wire.net>
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Good to know Don. Thanks for posting exhaust tips and parts $.
I wasn't specific, but wrote of the 2.0 ABA responding to Scott's
comparison of the 2.0 ABA to the Bostig. But.....
The 1.8 certainly has attractive bonuses. And easier to install than my 2.0!
--- ;^)
Yup. 1.8's/donors are cheap. I *highly* recommend a donor. My engine
block/head was fine, but trouble shooting an existing engine
management system problem cost time and money. Seeing it running and
testing it out (i.e. beg/borrow a VAG-COM or OBD reader if applicable)
is really useful.
Doing it over? I'd use the 2.0 ABA with a 1.8 head/Digifant. And I'd
make sure it had oil squirters. Not all ABA's have them.
Re: DV "kits". A complete list of what's needed is useful. Some "kits"
are missing things like oil sump tube, filler tube, input shaft,
(though one can cut their own) flywheel.
The 1.8 may not be popular *these days* (maybe more popular years
ago?) in part due to lower HP than Bostig, Suby etc. But....
...... depending on the driver, the 1.8 gets good fuel efficiency. You
have shown this.
More power is fun and useful, and at first it was really fun to boot
around in my conversion. Still, I'd take fuel efficiency over extra HP
any day.
Neil.
On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 8:21 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
> Neil and OP..
>
> My "already done" 84 conversion was $3000 complete, drive away two years
> ago.
> Last summer when I was at my local German Auto parts salvage yard (in
> Boring, Or) there were 3 complete 1.8liter inline VW motors for under $600
> each..Everything included..The yard has a very good rep as honest.
> There is a VW Cabriolet for sale here nearby for $1000, said to run
> well..Too nice to jerk the motor out of, but Rabbits are plentiful
> everywhere...the cars, not the animal..
> Exhaust? Your local muffler shop can lash one up, in the van, on the
> 1.8liter, in probably 20 minutes..
> I've seen "conversion kits" for the inline 4 listed on The Samba for
> around $5-800 bucks..Dunno bout those, but you need some factory-type bars
> to carry the diesel-type block and a pan from the diesel and an adapter to
> bolt it on the tranny..
> I'd say under $3k is pretty feasible (and that would include big margin
> for un-anticipated costs)..If you are lucky, you might find a good one
> !done! for $3k like I did..
> Don Hanson
>
> A "DIY" VW gas I4 for less than $3000? Possibly. Especially if one
> hears/sees it running first. (i.e. no hidden costs to get it running)
>
> Running donor: less than $1000?
> DV parts ~ 700 - 1000?
> 1.8 head + Digifant stuff $?
> Exhaust ?
>
>
>
> Neil.
>
--
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/