Date:         Sun, 20 Jan 2013 10:40:29 -0800
Reply-To:     Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Jetta Conversion Observations
Comments: To: george jannini <georgejoann@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CA+So780vtu7AZ4-=N0jzEVmEUVYcQaWNFGxrursYZry45k8G5A@mail.gmail.com>
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I always like reading about these and appreciate the details in order to keep a similar swap in consideration when the time comes.  The ol' WBX is ticking along still, but more information is always better in case something untoward happens.  If I had the extra cash I might go so far as to begin collecting the pieces for such a swap.  Of course, if I had the cash and the space I might also collect the Subaru pieces and flip a coin when it came time to decide which brand to go with.

Fortunately, I'm broke, have no space and the '87 is running fine.

Stephen

--- On Sun, 1/20/13, george jannini <georgejoann@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

From: george jannini <georgejoann@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Jetta Conversion Observations
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Sunday, January 20, 2013, 12:34 PM

>> let's hear about your jetta conversion.. <<

  There is not much, really, to brag about, just minor things.  Like I
don't worry about  cylinder heads exploding, or doing frequent water pump
changes miles from home (twice!) or NLA boxer bits.  The engine can pull a
hill at 5,000 rpm if it has to, and driven conservatively, one should
expect to get 20 mpg overall.  My best mileage figger was 24 something on
rural 2 lane at 55 mph.

  The engine is a nearly stock ABA 2 liter block and 1.8 liter head, with
Digifant brain.  Advertised numbers are 115 hp @ 5400 rpm and 122 lb/ft
maximum torque @ 3200 rpm.  The peak figures aren't all that different than
for a 2.1 liter boxer - 90hp and 117lb/ft tops    Gearing is stock, tires
slightly oversize 195/14, plain ol' steel wheels.

     Engine mounting angle is stock VW and it's "floating" on Mercedes 190
motor mounts, an extra expense which didn't really change vibration much,
if I remember correctly.  He'll buzz and thrash pretty good pulling high
RPMs, (a fair amount of intake noise also) but from idle to way past 4,000
rpm, noise and vibration aren't a bother, although after 12 years I can
still recall WBX smoooth.

Geo/ATL