Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2011 21:10:37 EST
Reply-To: Dvdclarksn@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Clarkson <Dvdclarksn@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Bostig Turbo update-long, sorry this is exciting for me
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Daryl,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your post. Oh, and thank you for your
post. I read it to my wife/home front accountant and vanagon repair
financial backer-Beverley. I had been almost sold on the Subi 2.5 and was even
considering the 3.3 to replace my tired old once rebuilt stock 2.1, that is on
it's last bit of clutch BTW, with 284,000 miles on the clock. I really
started thinking about the fact that the Subi 2.5 Boxer engine is known to
spring oil leaks (my dealership sells about 110 subi's/yr. with this engine)
and of course cylinder head problems. Leaking fluids are what I need to get
away from and are like watching a loved one hemmorage. I use 2 containers of
Subi cylinder head treatment 2x/yr. and still smell the wafting coolant in
the colder temps. I like that the Zetec is as Ford calls it, "A World
Engine" and parts availability and price are great. The design is simple but
effective. Every Ford Focus with a Zetec that comes through my service
department gets a thorough going over by me (although I am not an ASE automotive
technician and only a lowly Honda Service Advisor). The techs know to come
to me with a report on the condition of the engine/mileage and performance
since I would be asking them anyway. Any vehicle that we sell will have to
have all mechanical issues corrected prior to sale. What are we fixing on
the Zetecs? Hmm... can't think of anything we do to them other than change
the oil and do the state inspection. That vehicle is then sold with a
warranty so you know that if there was a problem the customer would be back and
they do come back but only for oil changes. I am very happy that Ben has
such a great Subaru engine in that beautiful Red Westy and what we've heard
from Ben is no news(good news!) other than an occasional wonderful trip
report. I guess I am about sold on this engine. I wonder about the evolution of
the turbocharger. In the old days you would have been happy to have gotten
30-40,000 miles from one. I had one very bad experience in my last 82 Westy
1.6NA diesel that I turboed with a rebuilt quantum engine. Spent about
$1700 to have a turbo professionally rebuilt and it had an oil seal go south
just about 50 miles out of warranty. Really weird as all the oil filled the
air to air intercooler and we were no go with the oil/bong setup on the side
of the Jersey Turnpike. Almost ended in a trip to the crusher or divorce
for both me and the van but that's another story. I am not such the purist
that I must have the original sub par engine and all of it's maladies,
shortcomings and no longer available parts. My question would be could a person
who has done like for like engine and transmission swaps in vanagons and
other makes do this conversion. I do have access to a lift for about 3 days
without interruption and could pay a buddy that is an ASE master tech/Ford
owner/top 10 GM proficiency tech on the East Coast to assist. Should I
undertake this myself if I promise to have myself well versed with the install
instructions/videos/web sites? I'm very comfortable wrenching on my own
Westy. I did have a professional rebuild the engine about 120,000 miles ago-not
quite there yet. I have done everything and I mean everything else myself
with guidance and wisdom from the list on my van. I just can't seem to talk
myself out of this engine setup but do want it done right. I think that I
could handle the install with my buddies assistance and oversight. What do
you think or others please chime in. Oh, and thanks for that post (Vanagon
Porn) Daryl. Keep the news coming.
David Clarkson
90 Westy that is really, really tired but loyal
In a message dated 1/4/2011 11:03:44 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
daryl@AATRANSAXLE.COM writes:
Cross posting the heck out of this one as I chat with lots of different
lists.
Got about 200 miles on my Turbo setup.
Frickin Awesome....I am one happy camper...
(Daryl's good tidings of Holiday cheer in this space)
Daryl of AA Transaxle
425-788-4070
"On the cutting edge of Old technology"
86 Syncro Westy w/Turbo Zetec in the trunk (and loving it)
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