Date: Wed, 30 May 2012 09:16:48 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 1.8 to 2.0 aba swap
In-Reply-To: <4FC63556.3070305@pottsfamily.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 7:57 AM, Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote:
> Hi Timmy,
>
> I am in the middle of doing that swap myself. I am using a 1.8L digifant
> head on an ABA 2L engine.
>
> One small detail of note is that your distributor needs to be matched up
> with the ignition system controlling it. A stock ABA distributor needs
> some modification to work with a digifant system. Or you can modify the
> digifant distributor, take your pick.
>
> Another detail to note is that the ABA block is 12mm taller. That extra
> 12mm might affect your exhaust mounting since the exhaust manifold and
> the oil pan end up further apart than they used to be. In my case I
> found that the exhaust mounts on the oil pan were flexible enough in the
> horizontal axis to absorb the difference. Your milage may vary.
>
> Otherwise it's a very straightforward modification, and I am looking
> forward to driving the end product soon.
>
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
>
>
>
>
> On 5/29/2012 4:17 PM, Timmy Evens wrote:
>
>> Hello vanagonites, My 83 westy has had a 1.8 Inline engine for quite
>> some time and its getting a bit tired. I'm having guys from quality
>> German auto parts in LA rebuild me an aba 2.0 bottom end and mate it
>> to a 3me head. I'm replacing a 1.8 w engine code PF. Seems like a
>> good upgrade and one that should last. Any words of advice or stories
>> of similar swaps?
>>
>>
> I have that combo running in my 84 5sp now, has been about 30k miles
now since I swapped the 2.0 ABA (93 Jetta) in under the 1.8L 8 valve head
(92 motor)
I chose to retain my Digifant II distributor. Doing so meant swapping
the distributor shaft drive gear to match the ABA and adding a bushing. Got
the parts from the link below. A straightforward mechanical operation,
Keeping the dist. from the 1.8 allowed me to retain everything else intact
from my previous install. You will need to swap some belts, pulleys and
hoses, too. The link below may help you. These fellows at Techtonics
Tuning were quite helpful to me during my swap. Look in the Tech Tips
section.
http://techtonicstuning.com/main/index.php?main_page=page&id=15&chapter=5
To Greg: I would advise you to make certain you do not induce any
'strain' into your exhaust system. You mention you were able to 'flex'
your diesel-style exhaust mounts to re-use your previous system, unchanged,
with the slightly taller ABA block...Be careful there..It is my theory,
not confirmed, that the exhaust system cracks some inline conversions
seem to have problems with are caused by assembling the pipes and muffler
with stress induced during installation by welding, by improper placement
of brackets, or perhaps tightening stuff up and putting the system into
stress...Over time, the engine 'relieves' that stress by cracking
something, usually near the header flanges. I think it's worthwhile to
take a bit of care with the inline exhaust installation and fabrication.
Don Hanson
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