Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2014 11:42:12 -0800
Reply-To: "SDF ( Scott Daniel Foss )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "SDF ( Scott Daniel Foss )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject: Re: Engine woes - what to do? Cars with more possiblities!
In-Reply-To: <52D2A497.3080107@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
it's not fridae so let's stop here.
briefly though ..the Jag XJ 6 engine is a huge lump of iron that dates
from 1947 I think. Fantastic when it came out .
and used until the early 90's even I think....by then it was desperately
outmoded. And the chevy engine weighs less, has more power and if far
less finnacy ( sp ? spell checker can't figure it out either )
..especially over the carbed jag engine that soldiered on until 1986 in
the JX6.
On 1/12/2014 6:20 AM, Todd Last wrote:
> 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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