Date: Tue, 6 May 2014 22:27:55 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine parts source
In-Reply-To: <CAFNeVpHpUmt_zHRTphHOeiMe8=GUzgwY1G6kzbY0P_w-A_dyxw@mail.gmail.com>
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Go Westy sells the only kits I'm aware of that increase displacement and power: http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_category.php?id=82
Custom forged pistons, reworked heads, rods, cranks, etc., they are pushing the envelope.
I do know from experience with other engines that longevity is inversely proportional to power, so it's buyer beware.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Tom Carchrae
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2014 6:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Engine parts source
On Tue, May 6, 2014 at 11:49 AM, TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@gmail.com> wrote:
> Does anyone know the source for striker cranks or big bore kits that
> some of our trusted vendors offer? Back when I was strictly an air
> cooled guy, I knee these things, the sources for wasser boxers, is, as
> you all know, a much smaller market.
>
>
You could go back to the aircooled days and convert your van to an
oxyboxer: http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewforum.php?f=37
I just rebuilt my bottom end (84) and I agree that there are not as many providers. I was told because, unlike AC, the WBX engine does not need rebuilding so frequently. Hah. I'm not sure that is entirely true as mine needed it - it had a cracked thrust bearing. But I guess 30 years is a reasonable bottom end rebuild time - the dates were stamped on the cam bearings. Happy 30th to my van, have some fresh bearings.
I suspect one of the reasons there are less mods for the WBX is the added magic of fuel injection and digital circuits. Even if they are stone age, you'd need to reckon with the digital brain as well as making mods, and I think that bamboozles most. Never mind the fact that who would need more than the smoking 100bhp afforded by the 2.1 wbx.
I have ordered pushrod tubes from http://www.cbperformance.com/ and I think I'd like to track down some new-and-not-$200 injectors at some point as well. It is all a bit black magic and lots of research to find out what may or may not work. And it seems most people get frustrated and try and transplant a modern engine in instead.
Tom
