Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (December 2009, week 5)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:38:49 -0500
Reply-To:     Jim Johnston <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Johnston <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Conversion?
Comments: To: Jeff Michal <jeffmichal@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <1b254b180912310806x3ca0cf85l7d541d44ed03d614@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I have a 2.2 Subie engine in the back of my 91 GL...Love it, love it, love it...

Plenty of power for the GL and damn fun...

Jim Wilmington, NC

On Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 11:06 AM, Jeff Michal <jeffmichal@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi everyone. I'm rolling around the idea of switching my engine out. I > have a 90 GL that I am extremely attached to. Its got about 135k on it, > and > I'm starting to see various end of life type problems with it. I'm > wondering if anyone has any recommendations about changing engines. I know > some of you have done this several times over, probably with more than one > type of engine and more than one van. > > I've looked at the diesels, the ej25, the tiico, and the 3.2 porsche > engine. > > The subaru EJ25 engine seems to be the best. I am saying that because it > makes plenty of power and isnt going to be more than the gearbox can > handle. > > The diesels are not practical in my region because a relatively low > percentage of the gas stations have it. > > The porsche engine is rediculously expensive. > > And that leaves the Tiico. I dont know that this is such a bad idea and it > appears to be the easiest of the conversions, plus the engine will be brand > new. > > I recognize that by the time I am done with any conversion, I could easily > buy a new vehicle. I just don't want to give up the cab forward narrow > gauge vehicle that I love. > > I know that things like brakes, suspension & steering components, drive > line > components, and paint/bodywork should be addressed during the process to > ensure long term safety and reliability. > > I'm interested in making the van drive a bit better. I'm considering > cutting the ride height by as much as 2 or 3 inches, and I'm after 4 wheel > disk brakes and 15 inch wheels. > > All that leaves me with is questions. > > What opinions do you have about the various options for engine replacement? > Are any of these choices better than buying an ecu and a rebuilt engine? > > What sort of upgrades are available for the suspension? > > Are there any other hard to get to things I should sort out while I have > the > engine out? > I'm considering having all the piping replaced with stainless steel, I > know some good steamfitters that will sort it it out for me all perfect > like. Is this a dumb idea? Should I just get new plastic stuff? > I'm going to work over the fuel delivery system and get rid of that aweful > plastic firewall penetration. > I'm going to have the body straightened, seam rust sorted out, and new > paint laid down. > I'm going to put all new rubber around for all the windows and whatnot. > > I appreciate any opinions that you can offer. > > Jeff > 90GL >


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.