Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 06:50:24 -0700
Reply-To: Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: An Engine Conversion Begins-Mixed Emotions!
In-Reply-To: <CAHTkEuK5r5wCzgk7BDcOpv1S-0STyrFSWwfh+cbe5zRpfYtaSQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Hey Don....
I have a simple question that I have never seen addressed in any of your posts
about your inline-4.
Does that engine fit under the engine lid, or does it require some sort of modification?
If it is the latter, could you please send me a photo to see what you did?
Thanks a lot, Anthony
'89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
________________________________
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2013 8:02 AM
Subject: Re: An Engine Conversion Begins-Mixed Emotions!
Post your question over here, too...
vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
@googlegroups.com
I don't think there is an actual comprehensive 'how to' site or blog,
though there are a lot of informational write ups dispersed throughout the
Net. The VW Vortex site is a useful one that gets overlooked in a Google
search sometimes...
The inline conversions can be quite simple...or a bit more complicated if
you choose a later engine and change over your engine management
system... Still, going the way you've chosen is significantly easier and
less expensive than a Ford or Subarau conversion...... If you use an early
90s inline you can even keep most of your current engine managment and
intake stuff, plus all the instruments plug right in, etc etc... The 1.8l
gas inline, the most common choice, is mostly a matter of bolting stuff
in...it is pretty straightforward and has been done literally thousands of
times....especially by people who've gotten sick of their diesel VW
motors...
It's strange that the inline VW conversion isn't more popular. It's
not the "Trendy" popular conversion that the Subarus are, but it's do-able
for thousands less..... I think maybe the original Tiico conversions and
their associated bad reputation for vibration may have rubbed-off on all
the inline conversions. Nobody I know that runs the non-Tiico inline has
any complaints of vibration..
I ran the 1.8 liter Rabbit/Cabriolet/Jetta motor in my 84 non-popup with
a westie interior for about two years. If your main reason to convert is
more power, the 1.8 liter (usually from a Rabbit) motor is only a little
power improvement over the WBX, but they are simple and dependable and
very cheap... If you want a bit more power without much more work, I am
quite happy with the 2.0l ABA (93 Jetta) block combined with the old head
from my 1.8l 8 valve. This seems a pretty popular configuration of the
inline motor, done often in other VWs. Techtonics Tuning (
http://www.techtonicstuning.com/main/index.php) had the few parts I
needed to do the head swap. It was quite simple (about 4hrs), You may
have to fiddle a bit to keep your auxiliary belts all lined up.
I find this hybrid motor to be just fine...guessing it's about like a
2.2 subie, power-wise...makes 23mpg and I very rarely find myself wanting
'more motor'..... I paid $300 for this ABA motor, spent $600 total
combining the two, including changing clutches, and later I re-sold all
the power steering power brake AC crap off the ABA for $200... You can find
the VW inlines on CL or in your local parts yards very cheap. They are
very plentiful. You can go into any autoparts and get what you need or go
to almost any VW mechanic and he'll be comfortable working on it..
I doubt you'll regret the change.
On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 3:50 AM, J Stewart <fonman4277@comcast.net> wrote:
> Yesterday I took the first step toward starting an engine conversion. I
> had seriously considered Bostig and Subaru, both fine conversions. I've
> driven a full Westy with a Subaru 2.5 and it was amazing. But in the end,
> there desire to keep it all VW won out. I found and purchased the later
> ('83-up) diesel engine carrier bars, engine mounts, diesel oil pan, and a
> couple of other items. Now, I know I also need the Kennedy adapter plate
> too, once I decide which in VW engine is going in there. I'm sure there are
> plenty of sites which detail doing this conversion, but if anyone can point
> me to one please do! Also looking for an engine to buy-local to the
> Washington DC area. My old 1.9 is still humming away, runs like a sewing
> machine, but the right head is weeping coolant (for over 10 years! Yes, 10
> years) and I just need/want more power. Mine is an '85 Weekender,
> automatic, power steering and a/c (which I'd like to keep) Thanks!
>
>
>
> Jeff Stewart
>
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