Date: Tue, 15 May 2012 10:26:45 -0700
Reply-To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Which Engine To Install and by Whom
In-Reply-To: <4FB28337.40202@knology.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I think the Gen. 5 is still in the R&D stage (isn't a lister here getting
that installed? Some info there maybe?)
Does FAS offer the ABA 2.0 + 1.8 eight valve head + Digifant combo?
Installed correctly, this can be a reliable swap and has been done before.
The following are musings from an amateur and fan of the VW inline swap.
I'm not saying "yay" or "nay" and not touting this swap over any other.
What one chooses is a personal preference thing. I do run a swap email list
but am only in it to help others. I'm a musician by trade.
The Gen 5 is another beast. It looks like they're using the 2.0 short block
(block + head) as-is but with serious fabrication for the intake manifold,
engine carriers, etc. Click on the image to see a photo album of their
work. From the POV of an amateur who has done a little design and
fabrication, I really like what they're doing and enjoy seeing the work.
But I'm a relatively narrow audience in that regard. IMO, assuming the
exhaust system remains crack free, and the carriers hold up (why wouldn't
they?) that will be a nice swap. Some or all of the parts they're
fabricating appear to be done in house so one would need to get those from
them. But..... all things being equal, items like engine carriers, intake
manifold, brackets for coolant bottles etc. should last a long time.
Although I'm a fan of the VW inline swap, since this engine is just
emerging, like any product in that stage, I'd wait and see. But that's just
me.
You could ask if FAS does the 2.0 ABA block + 1.8 8V head swap + Digifant +
diesel Vanagon parts. (or equal) When done right, (as with any swap) it's a
good combo and has a good track record.
Neil.
On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 9:24 AM, Jon Durham <jon_durham@knology.net> wrote:
> What is the opinion on these engines?
>
> http://foreignautosupply.com/
>
>
> On 5/15/2012 11:11 AM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>
>> I'm investigating this too.
>>
>> The problem with your question is that given an infinite amount of time
>> and
>> money you can do just about anything. Here is my personal favorite, but
>> it's
>> not so good for a camper:
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?**v=iD2tYiyX_sE&feature=channel&**list=UL<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD2tYiyX_sE&feature=channel&list=UL>
>>
>> In my mind there are only two options for a normal person. The Bostig kit
>> (www.bostig.com) , which is the only turnkey kit available and uses all
>> new
>> parts. You can get a brand new Zetec crate engine for a grand plus $150
>> shipping:
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-**FORD-FOCUS-ZETEC-2-0-LITER-**
>> 16V-DOHC-ENGINE-2000-<http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-FORD-FOCUS-ZETEC-2-0-LITER-16V-DOHC-ENGINE-2000->
>> 2004-/290711119875?pt=Motors_**Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&**
>> hash=item43afbba803
>> &vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1023 or a used one for $250. Every bit of this
>> install
>> is new, with the exception of the power steering pump which they recommend
>> getting used. Bostig support seems to be good. You also have the benefit
>> of
>> an OBD2 diagnostic system, and an engine that is cheaper to replace than
>> it
>> is to fix. (Think about that for a minute. You could keep a spare in the
>> garage!)
>>
>> The other well documented swap is the Subaru 1995-96 2.2 SOHC engine.
>> Kennedy Engineered Products (http://www.kenneYadyenginc.**com<http://www.kenneYadyenginc.com>)
>> has an adapter
>> kit, but you must get all the ancillary parts as well as the engine from a
>> donor car and there is a lot of fabricating and fiddling. If you follow
>> the
>> Subaru Vanagon Yahoo! list like I have you will see there appears to be
>> endless fiddling with most Subaru installs. You also need to fabricate a
>> custom wire loom from the stock loom (several hours work alone). It's
>> getting hard to find low mileage engines now (trust me and I don't think
>> 100k is low mileage).
>> These engines have the early OBD1, which is at least of some use.
>>
>> They both have their advantages and disadvantages, but none are as bad as
>> the waterboxer. It was a flawed plan right from the beginning to convert
>> an
>> air cooled engine into a water cooled engine simply by casting water
>> jackets
>> on the case and adding new heads. The longevity of this engine is in
>> inverse proportion to the power it puts out as well with the 1.9 being the
>> longest lived by far, maybe by as much as a factor of 2 over the 2.1.
>>
>> Plan on being your own mechanic with any conversion, unless you can find a
>> pro who will install and service it. If you do it yourself, you will
>> probably be happier with the install simply because you will have
>> invested a
>> lot of time in making it work well.
>>
>> There are shops all over the country that will install one or the other
>> for
>> you, and the total cost for a pro install for either is about the same
>> here
>> (Seattle). I expect you could do the Subaru yourself cheaper than the
>> Bostig, but time is money too!
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Stuart
>> '85 Westy, time constrained and leaning towards the Bostig
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.**com<vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>]
>> On Behalf Of
>> Jon Durham
>> Sent: Monday, May 14, 2012 4:38 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Which Engine To Install and by Whom
>>
>> As best I can tell, to get more horses, there is a 2.1 WB, a 2.2 WB, a
>> Subaru, and a Ford engine to replace my 1.9L engine in my 85 Vanagon.
>>
>> I would like to get opinions on the engines and recommendations as to who
>> is
>> good for installing the engines.
>>
>> Cheers
>> --
>> "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
>> Anatole France
>>
>>
>>
> --
> "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains
> unawakened." Anatole France
>
--
Neil n
65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
'88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
| 
