Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 21:28:30 -0500
Reply-To: ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Bjorkman <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: I'm getting the FAS Gen 5 and info
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 24px"><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma> </FONT></DIV><DIV style="MARGIN: 5px 0px; BORDER-TOP: #bcbcbc 1px solid"></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12px">On 05/17/12, <SPAN>Jamie Fitterer<fittdog8848@hotmail.com></SPAN> wrote:</SPAN><DIV> </DIV><DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12px"><DIV dir=ltr>is there any pricing posted anywhere on the cost of this conversion?</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV><BR><DIV><DIV id=SkyDrivePlaceholder></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma>You know. I don't really know. I went in for an engine, got talked into using my camper in the Beta program, the engine was so pretty I couldn't put it in a crummy (relatively, whole bus was pretty clean for 25yo) engine compartment so, since I saved up some $ in the time it took, I had a bottom job done (everything stripped, R&Red, epoxy paint in a beautiful hi-def light blue). Well, when they did the bottom job they cleaned up some problem spots around the gas filler and B pillar seams and rear quarter since I wasn't able to afford a paint job right away, and it made the rest of the paint look so tough that I wrangled a mid line paint job for a little more than the paint since it had go to the paint shop again for touch up later, and heck, it was easier to just mask to the center line anyways. When Jon went to check on paint shop progress, he noticed some issues around window gaskets so he blew out the windows, got new gaskets on his dime, and had them paint to rain gutter. Now, the PO was a dork about proper top closing and the canves had a big stain with pinholes (we have biting no-see-ums here) and with everything else so nice, that d**n stain was all I saw. So I got a good top at a good price from Bus Depot shipped up with some other FAS stuff and had it put in. Then, as a gift to my wife and I for putting up with 17 months of crap, the guys at the shop surprised us with an new paint job on the top!</FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma>Bottom line, not including the canvas, Oh my goodness gracious I just looked it up and it's somewhere north of 20 grand! For a Vanagon!! It's a good thing it took that long so I didn't notice. So that's where all that OT money went.</FONT></DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma>Dave B. </FONT><HR id=stopSpelling>Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 09:15:41 -0500<BR>From: <A class=parsedEmailparsedEmail href="mailto:ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET" target=_blank>ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET</A><BR>Subject: I'm getting the FAS Gen 5 and info<BR>To: <A class=parsedEmailparsedEmail href="mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM" target=_blank>vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM</A></DIV><DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 24px"><DIV><FONT size=2>As a matter of fact, a lister is getting that installed, and it's ME. And it's NOT a Tiico engine. Jon and his crew have been in development on this engine for close to 3 years now. The problems with the Tiico were why they went this route. VW Germany is supplying the engine, after Jon explained what he wanted from them. FWIK, that took some doing.</FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face="">I am picking mine up today or on Saturday. Although it is the Beta, they have had it in my camper for almost 2 years and have run it through all possible climate changes, and have computer tested it (computer connected while driving around as well as extensive bench and dyno) for every variable they can come up with. Jon is a really nice guy, but a perfectionist and can be to the point of bring a PITA, but when done, there are no problems. These conversions are available.</FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face="">The vast majority of parts are off the shelf. It was made this way so noone is left with an inability to get parts in some out of the way place (ever been there?). </FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face="">When I did my search for a reliable transplant, I found other power plants had issues or they would leave me scratching my head over where I would take my bus if I had issues I couldn't deal with. Somehow bringing my Vanagon to a Ford dealership just didn't seem right (sorry Bostig). I am just a fair mechanic, am really up on theory, but don't want to be left hanging with the wife and kids camping a K or 2 from home and all my tools.</FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face="">This is the route I went. Having watched pretty closely with FAS on this project and having worked through other conversions, I can be confident in recommending this power plant as the best way to go. See other notes on this thread for more info on this engine or contact Chris at Foreign Auto. <A class=ecxparsedEmailparsedEmailparsedEmailparsedEmail href="mailto:chris@foreignautosupply.com" target=_blank>chris@foreignautosupply.com</A><BR>When I contacted Jon about this post and kit availability he sent me this reply.</FONT></DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face="">"you can mention that the components are almost entirely off of the shelf current production car parts excluding all the ones we have designed---(no diesel items at all though... except of course on the diesel specific conversions.) The engine to transmission/ matting, hanging, and fuel/induction/ exhaust portions of the kit were completely designed, prototyped, and fabricated in house as you already know. Our goal was to have as long as a run longevity wise as possible by using current production run engines making these something a dealership or VW specialty shop could easily maintain. </FONT><DIV><FONT size=2 face=""><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>We plan to sell the entire engine and "turn-key" kit in 5 versions: </FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>1. A traditional throttle cable design version for both std. and automatics ( Our Betas have reported an average of 24-26 mpg on highway driving) </FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>2. The same kit as #1 but "throttle by wire" and special hybrid Bosch fuel injection package...which as you'll see with yours... I feel unmatched in regards to it's smoothness under travel and load...probably the smoothest van I've ever been in from 45-85 mph </FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> 3. A turbo charged version of #2 complete with intercooler and all plumbing (not that it is really all that necessary except for the fact we are still guys!) </FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>4. The "pumpe duse" Turbo diesel complete kit</FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>5. Kits #1-3 in a version that fits '73 - '79 aircooled Bay window busses with a uniquely designed in house radiator package mid-belly style.</FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> **We will also be selling just an install component kit version which is just the kit minus the engines as well...something we changed our mind recently on that we had initially never planned to do. We will also be selling a version of our unique hydraulic cradle bar mounting system package that we designed for the old Tiico/ ABA in-line conversions (fantastic upgrade) as well as for DIY's AAZ, 1Z or AHU, ALH diesel conversions."</FONT></DIV> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face="">Hope I didn't go over the line, but I am enthusiatic.</FONT></DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face=""></FONT> </DIV><DIV><FONT size=2 face="">Dave B.</FONT></DIV><DIV><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
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