Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:26:31 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Replace Heads or Engine?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
re
"That would be about 24 hours at the
local shop rate; sounds optimistic for a first-timer but it might just
be possible for Scott or someone else with a lot of inline experience.
We must live on different planets.
If you saw my rather long post on all the details it takes ( or takes me )
to make a conversion and the entire interface of engine-to-van and the whole
thing work really right..
it's far, far more hours than 24, in my epereince.
it's like this ..
after I get an engine running in the van ..after it will drive down the road
..
I spend 10 hours even sometimes making them really right.
there is a huge difference between 'it works and functions' and it works and
functions as smoothy and strongly as it can for what it is.
Even stock engine installations ...I can spend a lot of time making them
really right, and that's not including the basic work.
i'll try to stop ...
how can someone charge # 's like $ 14,000 dollars for a tdi converison, and
have a wire just drooped across the engine and hoses and all, rather than
tucked into a wiring haress somewhere ?
How can they leave a part on the side of the engine that is no longer used,
and doesn't do anything at all, yet it's just left there doing nothing ?
How can a person or shop pull out a 2.5 subaru engine and install an SVX,
and leave the Igntitor for the 2.5 engine still there on the firewall ??
It's a 200 dollar part even ...
I can't do work like that.
Evidently people who do fast engine conversions do work like that sometimes.
I just don't get it.
I see tons of sloppy fast work ..like say flywheel bolts with no lock-tite
or sealant on their threads ..
on an inline four. Engine oil will work its way past the threads of those
flywheel bolts.
it's all in the details...to make things really right. That takes time.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Potts" <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2010 3:51 PM
Subject: Re: Replace Heads or Engine?
> Hi Mark,
>
> I am in the starting stages of an engine conversion... Not because my
> WBX is dead but because I am not satisfied with the power delivery, gas
> milage, parts availability or durability of the platform. My vanagon
> sees about 30,000 miles per year of daily driving and from where i sit
> the advantages of the inline4 VW are too attractive to ignore.
>
> So far my acquisitions are as follows, in order of appearance:
>
> 1982 Engine hanger bars and motor mounts were picked up at a swap meet
> (BusFusion) for $100. Using the 82 mounts will require rotating the
> front transmission mount and shortening the shift linkage rod by about
> 2" to accomodate the forward mounting position of the 82 bars. I could
> simply cut and weld the bars and leave the transmission where it is, but
> then the engine ends up tighter against the rear of the engine
> compartment.
>
> I bought an NOS diesel oil pan for $40, also through the list. This one
> was delivered at Buses Of The Corn.
>
> Another diesel specialist I know through the list(s) sold me:
> Diesel Bell Housing, clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, dust cover, oil
> pump pickup tube and top-end water hoses: $170. I picked it up in person
> at Watkins Glen and didn't have to pay shipping or duty.
>
> 1996 2L Jetta ABA Engine, complete: $300. Dad's bringing it home this
> week after a campout this weekend in VA.
>
> The ABA engine will also be getting a new cam and a digifant cylinder
> head from a 1.8L engine, which will probably double the cost of the
> powerplant before we're done. If I can find the right parts I will
> upgrade the exhaust manifold as well.
>
> The remaining parts I will need will include a diesel starter and I will
> also need to fabricate an exhaust system, throttle linkage and some
> coolant interfaces... By the time I am done I will probably have about
> $1000-$1200 invested not including my labour.
>
> But in terms of labour I'd venture to say that it's basically the same
> or less effort as involved in any other engine conversion, for a great
> deal less $$$. If I had the coin I'd go with a Bostig Zetec conversion
> in a metric heartbeat, but since I don't this is the next best answer
> available to suit my budget.
>
> Am I investing $2000 in labour? That would be about 24 hours at the
> local shop rate; sounds optimistic for a first-timer but it might just
> be possible for Scott or someone else with a lot of inline experience.
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> Toronto, Ontario Canada
> 197x Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
> 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (ND Graphics graphics wrap)
> 1988 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (Colleen's ride)
> www.pottsfamily.ca
>
> BUSES OF THE CORN - AUGUST 12-14th, 2011
> www.busesofthecorn.ca
>
>
>
>
> Greg
>
> On 11/13/2010 3:49 PM, mark drillock wrote:
>> Hey Scott. You know the ins and outs of the diesel mounting stuff about
>> as well as anyone here. How much would you think to charge for
>> converting a wbx van to an inline 4 gas engine using diesel bits where
>> possible? Maybe you could offer that as a service and have people lined
>> up around the block for a nice cheap conversion? Total parts and labor
>> at $2500 sound right, like some people say? Or maybe $3000 since you do
>> such nice work? The engines are only $300.
>>
>> Mark
>
> --
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