Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2014 06:20:07 -0800
Reply-To: Todd Last <Rubatoguy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Todd Last <Rubatoguy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Engine woes - what to do? Cars with more possiblities!
In-Reply-To: <52BB3791.6010104@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Yes, but note the resale value for a Jag with a chevy engine.
The whole reason for having a Jag or a Mercedes is the engine.
Removing that, kills the resale value.
Todd
On 12/25/2013 11:52 AM, Scott Daniel wrote:
> 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
>> 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 <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
>>> 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 <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
>>>>>
>
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