Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 07:33:40 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: An Engine Conversion Begins-Mixed Emotions!
In-Reply-To: <1379253024.83623.YahooMailNeo@web162901.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
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A 1.8 liter motor fits right in, just like the diesel engines from the
factory. The inline blocks of that era are the same casting as the diesel
block, they bolt right in, just like a diesel motor did.
You do have to 'clearance' the driver's side just under the deck a
little to allow the intake to fit. That is on the 8-valve motor.
The ABA motors, they have what's called a "Cross-flow" head on which the
intake comes out of the other side of the head, the upper side when the
motor is in place in a Vanagon......That is why they require a bump or a
raised deck...or why some choose to mount them angled differently.
The 1.8 liter head bolts right onto the ABA motor in place of it's normal
'cross flow' head. According to the 'accepted' lore, and the fellows at
Techtonics Tuning, the 1.8liter on the ABA makes the same or better HP
than the cross flow head...Dunno about that as I have never dynoed mine for
real data...
On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 6:50 AM, Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@yahoo.com>wrote:
> 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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