Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 14:01:15 -0400
Reply-To: Bill Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bill Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: An Engine Conversion Begins-Mixed Emotions!
In-Reply-To: <CAHTkEuK5r5wCzgk7BDcOpv1S-0STyrFSWwfh+cbe5zRpfYtaSQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Don/All
I have owned,converted,maintained just about every type of conversion out there with the exception of diesel and the 1.8Ts. My experience goes
back about 20 years with Vanagons and even earlier with baywindows.
My first conversion was a Volvo motor into a baywindow Westy.
Everyone has their favorites and I have mine which are all subject to
personal opinion. What is the best conversion out there really is also
opinion biased without having any way to gather accurate data from the years.
I do have to argue one point though and that is an inline is significantly
easier to install than a Zetec conversion. My son who was 12 at the time
was able to do a complete Zetec conversion with only help needed
putting the transmission/engine in the van. He did the operation
but out of safety concerns myself and another adult watched on while
he did the work. Only assisting with jacking up the engine lift.
Using the videos,online documents,and written documentation available
he compared it to putting together a life size RC car.
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 15, 2013, at 8:02 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 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
>>
