Date: Wed, 25 Dec 2013 15:01:56 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine woes - what to do? Cars with more possiblities!
In-Reply-To: <52BB3791.6010104@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I have a 600 SEL and I have been considering the Ford Triton v-10 with
matching 4 speed overdrive transmission. All I need to do is cut the drive
shaft and weld on the Ford front yoke. The V-10 should get lost in the V-12
engine bay.
Dennis
From: Scott Daniel [mailto:scottdaniel@turbovans.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 25, 2013 2:53 PM
To: Dennis Haynes; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Engine woes - what to do? Cars with more possiblities!
for example the popular Chevy V-8 in the Jaguar XJ6
Possibly hundreds of those have been done. Possibly more than that even.
Very likely there are kits for that conversion.
I've seen a Mercedes sedan ..the popular 300D body style from about 1984,
with a ..
A carbureted Chev V-8 and chevy auto trans dropped into. They guy nagged me
to buy it even ..for $ 2,000 or so, well less than what he had into it. Had
a large goofy wing on the trunk too. If I didn't already own 20 vehicles
...........
I believe the 'small block' chevy V-8 engine, first introduced in 1955 with
265 cubic inches displacement..
and with variations and other versions with larger displacements, was
produced into 2000's and may still yet be in production..
I think no basic engine design on earth has had so many examples produced..
in the 10's of millions of them.
And that engine is generally the most common hot rod or conversion engine
ever, certainly in North America,
and around the world, GM of Australia for example. I'm sure they know that
engine well ther.
Merry !
Scott
On 12/25/2013 11:40 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
Yes! Any car with a conventional front engine driving the rear wheels via
drive shaft and solid rear axle. On all of these use most any
engine-transmission assembly your wish and even change the rear axle!
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jim Felder
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 3:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine woes - what to do?
Does anyone know of a car that has more engine swap possibilities than a
Vanagon?
Jim
On Tue, Dec 24, 2013 at 6:28 AM, Jack R <mailto:jack007@comcast.net>
<jack007@comcast.net> wrote:
I know a couple volks who are very pleased with their Bostig conversion.
http://www.bostig.com/
In my case, I came very close to putting in a 2.5l 5 cly TDI (owned
the motor, and was ready to proceed), but the cost to beef up the
trans due to the torque of a diesel among many other things, resulted
in converting my
84
Wolfie to a 2.1L out of a 91 in tip top shape. Very pleased in all.
As I use my Westie for a few weekends of Michigan Camping, and put
about 5,000 miles on it a year, the ROI from the costly conversion to
get more MPG or performance is not there for me.
Each conversion is a unique decision, and Scott makes some valid
points on your current situation.
Good luck with whatever you do... I'll speak for everyone on this
list, we ALL hate to see any Vanagon leave circulation!!
Jack R.
84 Westy Wolfie with a 2.1L (owned since 87, and restored to original
splendor)
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
Behalf Of Scott Daniel
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 7:14 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine woes - what to do?
I'll have to second this. Inline 4 gasser didn't pop into my mind as a
solution out of the poster's current delema ..
but yeah ..
simple , cheap, durable, easily repalced, all VW , good fuel economy,
decent power ..
there is a lot to like in a VW-based I4 gasser conversion.
...if I ever find time to my to play with my 3 actually.... ..mutter
mutter.
On 12/23/2013 4:07 PM, Don Hanson wrote:
I'll chime in for the inline VW swap as probably the simplest and most
economical way to go. Like Jim, I really like the power, the fuel
economy and the overall simplicity of having a VW motor on VW parts in
my VW van. I did keep the Digifant 1.8 liter head and all the wires
do plug right in, pretty much. It bolts right in using VW diesel
parts that are available and proven...the diesel VW engine is the
same block as the gasser, so all the parts for mounting it are factory
stock. ABA blocks are also identical. My motor cost me about $600
to build from a $300 Jetta ABA and I sold off the extra parts to
almost make a profit.
You can find almost unlimited inline VW motors for under $500
all over everywhere. The only downside is there is no one source of
information on this particular swap, not that it needs a lot of
explaining. Inline parts are dirt cheap, they are simple to work on
and quite robust. I was a VW rookie when I got mine already
converted, but the fellow who did the conversion was a carpenter and
not a mechanic. I've since done a lot of swapping around and
messing with it, mainly to learn and because they are so cheap and
simple....They are easy to mess with....I never HAD to work on mine
much, but I chose to go to the ABA 2.0 liter block after reading
about it and finding one for $300...Took me 2 days, about to swap all
the
stuff over and re-install it into my van. I have a spare motor now,
too...should I ever need one.
On Mon, Dec 23, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Todd Last <mailto:rubatoguy@comcast.net>
<rubatoguy@comcast.net>
wrote:
After almost 230,00 miles my '88 Vanagon is displaying symptoms of
a
head
leak - I have not yet confirmed this or done a recent compression
test, but plan to do so. I have concluded that one of the worst
things you can do to your van is not use it. Bad things happen when they
are left sitting!
In any case I am looking at my options, and started out thinking
about
replacing the heads, then thought if I was going to do that, I might
as well put in new piston rings too, and well, once you do that you
might as well go a step farther and do an engine rebuild. Of course,
once you get there, the question becomes, stock, modified (like
GoWesty) or engine swap. In looking at these options, it looks like a
cost of $5,000 or more. From what I have seen, Subaru conversions can
reach over $10K. Yikes!
I was wondering if I could get opinions on the best course of
action in
this situation, not wanting to spend tens of thousands of dollars.
Would list memebers give me their 2 cents worth and if possible, what
the aproximate costs for the various solutions range from? I'm not
sure if it makes more sence to just install new heads and hope for the
best, or go full bore and swap the engine.
What does the voice of experience say? Anyone out there have
opinions on
the GoWesty performance engines vs. a Subaru transplant?
Thanks,
Todd
'88 Westy