Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 20:15:36 -0400
Reply-To: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Conversions
In-Reply-To: <44B876DE-2198-4290-9B9F-D9F9ABF93E70@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
The reason i have found the subaru isn't soo interesting to me anymore (But
i still think when completed, it can be a GREAT conversion), is all the
misconceptions. For instance, the $1500 kit is NOT a bolt together kit.
There are still plenty of things not included with that to do the converison
the "IDEAL" way. It does not supply all the hardware and necessary bits to
make the conversion work, the wiring harness is at least in my mind not the
hardest thing in the world. It would take great patience but you could do it
on your own....however that is not included in the $1500 kit. So now you've
chosen and purchased the kit.....it's time for you to go find a 2.2 engine
with low mileage.....Well you simply won't! It's a 10+ year old engine, some
of these 2.2 are AS OLD AS THE VANAGONS! So what makes the support for this
much better than that of the WBX? furthermore, it would be a very rare find
to find one with under 100K miles on it, let alone for your $500 price. Now
i really do love the 2.2 conversions, and i'd love to see a 2.5 conversion
(costs a bit more), i've driven a couple 2.2's and i think they're
awesome...the boxer engine fits so nicely (At least with a shortened oil
pan. Not included in the $1500 kit), but it's just not as simple as it is
made out to be. That, is my gripe with this converison. A turnkey install
tends to run in the $6K+ range for a 2.2 (possibly a rebuild) or $7K+ for a
2.5 with say 60K miles on it.
These are the points in which the bostig picks up the slack. You get a kit
that is litereally, a kit. All your parts come from one source, so unlike
the subaru conversion, you have a company that can stand by their product.
Furthermore, i happen to know from seeing it first hand that the
documentation in the Bostig conversion is simply stunning. There are color
diagrams, step by step instructions, even videos to help you put it all
together! Every necessary nut and bolt is accounted for, and you get full
product support and a great warranty!
It IS more expensive than the 2.2 conversion could be if you did it yourself
and made some parts, but i'd rather have a 2003 model engine with 10K miles
on it, for the same price as a '91 engine with 120K miles on it. Not to
mention all of the above items....
I also love the VW inline 4 and the diesel conversions. They each have some
great points and i have seen and driven both. I was even planning on doing
a Turbo Diesel conversion to my own bus, but have chosen against it for a
few reasons. It is a "near perfect" conversion when done the stock VW diesel
way. This means, it was engineered, thought out, and tested on a grand
scale. In order to do this, you really should buy ALL the VW Vanagon Diesel
engine parts, and then install a 1.8 VW- I4, or a 2.0 with a 1.8 head. The
Tiico conversion is a totally different animal....
But again, you're looking at probably about $1000 to find all the VW diesel
parts. Don't get me wrong if your very patient or lucky, you could find the
bits for MUCH cheaper, but the going rate seems to be as high as $1000, so
that's the price i see it as. But what if one of these pieces breaks down
the line? Who covers that? Some of these diesel parts are getting very hard
to find.... so that makes this option questionable at best.
You could also stick a Nissan V6, Australian V8, Volvo 4 cylinder, Audi 5
cylinder, VW 1.8T, Porsche 3.2, Chevy V8, VW VR6, Mazda rotary, or a john
deer tractor engine, heck you could do anything with time and resources, but
these are not the "popular" options.
Just some thoughts.
-Craig
'85Vanagon GL turned Westy, engine rebuilt, and considering a conversion.
On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 7:33 PM, Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@mac.com>wrote:
> This interests me, if I could get a $1500 kit, I can get those engines
> locally for $500-600 dollars.
>
> What else is needed?
>
> What about the wiring harness issue? Is this part of the kit?
>
> If I were to have someone install this I guess I would be looking at
> another $1000-1500 for installation correct?
>
> Robert
> NY
>
>
> On Oct 6, 2008, at 11:16 PM, James Jean-Woo Kim wrote:
>
> I would vote for Subaru 2.2 conversion. SmallCar has a complete
>> conversion kit ($1500 plus the cost of the engine). It's wonderful.
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 6:00 PM, Robert Stewart
>> <robertmstewart@mac.com> wrote:
>> I have question for those in the know...
>>
>> Some will remember my 2.1 automatic engine has gasket problems and is
>> slowly leaking coolant.
>>
>> I was considering replacing it with good used engine, I also
>> considered putting in a used Golf, Jetta or GTI engine in. What I
>> don't know is what is involved with putting these other engines in?
>>
>> Does anyone have any site links that explain the process and costs?
>>
>> I was only considering it as it seemed a viable option.
>>
>> I can get Jetta and Golf engines in a range of $500-650 dollars. Just
>> wondering what other parts are needed? Does anyone have a kit for all
>> the parts? if so what is the cost?
>>
>> Thanks for the feedback.
>>
>> Also if you have a good 2.1 L engine with good compression and
>> recently done gaskets let me know.
>>
>> Thanks.
>> Robert
>> NY
>>
>>
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