Date:         Thu, 4 Sep 2008 02:12:34 -0400
Reply-To:     Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Subject:      Re: John Wessels Glori's Import offering Zetec & Subie engine
              conversions
Comments: To: Jeff <vw.doka@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <48bf76d5.16538c0a.338b.ffffebf5@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 1:48 AM, Jeff <vw.doka@gmail.com> wrote:
> It's really not that hard...  good Vanagon engine conversions are fairly
> easy to get certified by the BAR ref if you know the procedure.

That's good to hear, but like I said there is no guarantee, and it
also is technically not possible since the BAR also demands that any
conversion also carry with it the original transmission as well. Many
BAR refs appear to overlook this technicality if everything is done
right, and this is why so many technically impossible stickers have be
gotten. However from a business standpoint it isn't good to not be
able to assure a customer and tell them "well you most likely will get
through if you do XYZ and get the sticker at XYZ"

> Additionally, it's not impossible to get an EO from the CARB on an engine
> conversion for the Vanagon.

If it is 96 or later it is. Which is why there isn't a single engine
swap that is OBDII with a carb EO for any vehicle in CA. This policy
isn't written in anything I've ever seen, but submit an EO application
and then follow up and you'll find this out just as I did.

> It's all about talking to the right people and
> jumping through the typical government hoops.  These are the same people we
> deal with when we have to certify a new import for California.  As a matter
> of fact, an EO was issued earlier this year for a Vanagon engine conversion.

Got a link or more info? The CARB EO database does not show this to be
true, all EO'd vanagon conversions listed are for pre 95/OBDII
engines, and the most recently issued is 98.

> Of course, since there isn't a budget, you can't get anything done in CA
> right now.  I completed a CA certification on an '05 AMG G55 Cabriolet a
> couple of weeks ago and the customer is screwed since he can't take it to a
> referee for labeling.

Why not exactly? That really sucks.. it's this kind of situation I
want to avoid entirely.

Jim Akiba