Date: Thu, 29 May 2014 19:54:53 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: WBX Recommendations Sought
In-Reply-To: <000201cf7b65$9a356e60$cea04b20$@roadrunner.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Good question, but you don't have to spend that much.
I'm still working though this, but here is what I'm thinking right now.
I have an automatic transmission, and I don't want a complete kit from one vendor. I'd prefer to pick and choose the best based on my extensive research and ultimate goal (cheap and reliable):
1992 2.2 "core" OBD1 (for simplicity) engine with all the accessories, $500 (bought car, pulled it all myself)
Professional complete engine rebuild (I don't trust used engines, especially those with over 100k on them): $2000
KEP conversion components (adapter, flex plate, exhaust manifold (w/o cat & muffler), throttle bracket & P/S hoses: $1000
Vanagon muffler: $125
Karl Mullendore's diesel starter adapter: $75
VW diesel starter: $125
From Tom Shiels, Subaruvanagon Guru:
Wiring harness: $650
Thermostat housing conversion: $67
Reversed coolant manifold: $155
Total: $4697 for a "new" Subaru engine conversion with a 12,000 mile engine warranty. Seattle is Subaru country, and I have at least two highly recommended expert engine rebuilders in Washington to choose from.
If you are willing to run an old 2.2 in a much heavier Vanagon, subtract $2000. If you want to do the harness yourself, subtract $650 for a total of $2047. Just be prepared to pay the piper later! Tom bench tests his harnesses, so they work. Most of the conversion problems on the subaruvanagon list are due to wiring problems.
I'm looking for the cheapest and most reliable option, and I don't think a jacked up WBX engine is it, no matter how sophisticated (Go Westy). Reliability is in inverse proportion to power, especially when you are using a design and case based on a 60+ year old air cooled engine.
If you want to run a newer Subaru 2.5 engine be prepared to deal with circuit boards to trick the ECU and a bunch of unnecessary sensors--vehicle speed sensor, atmospheric pressure sensors and who knows what else. The newer the engine, the more sensors there are, and also drive by wire. Lots of troubleshooting, just join the "subaruvanagon" list on Yahoo! Groups to get a sense of the trade-off in time and money for more power.
I prefer to keep a simple old vehicle as simple and reliable as possible (but with 130hp and more torque vs. 80hp on a good day), and that's an OBD 1 pre-1996 Subaru engine for me. At least right now. I do have some lottery tickets though ($50 million right now). But if I win it's a new something else anyway.
Just my opinion after four WBX engines--three too many in nearly 30 years. One more new engine and I'm done, one way or the other.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: WBX Recommendations Sought
Stuart..
Great analysis.... but you have the 1.9 which is going to add more money to the equation... at least from Go Westy.
To note, when we opened my engine, my mechanic was pretty impressed of the over condition... guess this dry desert air does have some advantages...
As an FYI, have you done the same for a 2.2 Subu conversion... My initial figure is about $7K max for parts to include zero time a rebuilt engine... what are you coming up with?
Thanks
John
