Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:32:02 -0400
Reply-To: James <jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: James <jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: difference's between model years
In-Reply-To: <CA+So780ntn7HENj_LMDZaLgyNW6kFfya8+0FthoGSt1XmzfO7Q@mail.gmail.com>
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There's nothing wrong with the Wasserboxer that another couple of cylinders wouldn't have fixed... which even
VW may have realised, since they had Oettinger develop the WBX6 for our beasts. Then, they dropped it.
Somewhere on-line there's a British review of an '87 or '88 T25 (as the Brits called the Vanagon) with the Oettinger six. Among other advantages (140 hp!) they noted an improvement in fuel economy from 21 mpg (imperial) to 26 mpg.
Like a few other features on the Vanagon, a tale of VW missing the mark for the North American market. But with more than 6 million sold in Europe, I can't blame them for not worrying about another 10,000 a year sales here.
I'd love to find and install an Oettinger WBX6 - but I'm sure it's a pipe dream. Did any every get brought over? I doubt the engine was ever homologated for the USA, so it have to be a private import.
James
Ottawa, ON
> Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:36:01 -0400
> From: georgejoann@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: Re: difference's between model years
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
> Did anyone mention bigger brakes in the later models?
>
> I would also argue that VW never put an adequate motor in that model.
> IMNSHO, that waterboxer thingie should never have happened.
>
> I am racking up miles on a used Canadian I-4 ABA engine of unknown
> pedigree that's a workhorse. Apply gasoline, change the oil every once in a
> while, filters, plugs, cap rotor, and drive it. A couple of bottles of
> Subaru OEM coolant system conditioner, P/N SOA63571 took care of
> occasional coolant adds.
>
> Will most likely be at Circle Yer Wagens this weekend, Seveirville,
> Tennessee, USA at the fairgrounds, in a beat up split window sporting a
> Mass plate out front.
>
> Geo/ATL
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 29, 2014 at 3:01 PM, Roland <syncronicity1@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > There are 3 things I really like about the later Vanagons (an '89 Bluestar
> > was our family car with 3 kids for 10 years):
> > 1. power door locks -- I cannot imagine my wife walking around the van to
> > lock it and then unlock it each time she went running errands with the
> > kids.
> > 2. the Carat models with jump seats and the fold up table -- a huge value
> > add to the experience of Vanagoning.
> > 3. the fiberglass bumper cladding -- I know it is personal taste, but I
> > think it improved the looks.
> >
> > Honorable mention -- power passenger side window, makes it much easier to
> > tune the airflow.
> >
> > For the most part, these features are all on my current Vanagon I still
> > very much appreciate them.
> >
> > Roland
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Sep 26, 2014 at 9:39 AM, Higginbotham, David A. <
> > dhigginbotham@hazenandsawyer.com> wrote:
> >
> > > I know that it is accepted that the later year vanagons are better than
> > > the earlier vanagons, why? Not wanting to open up a can of worms here,
> > but
> > > I am curious what were the various improvements made to the vanagons
> > > between 1980 and 1991. Is there a comprehensive list somewhere that
> > someone
> > > has compiled that lists these changes? I vaguely remember something
> > > mentioned about something like this here on the list a number of years
> > ago
> > > but I have slept since then.
> > >
> > > David Higginbotham
> > > 82 Westy (back on the road WHOOHOOO!!)
> > > Silk Hope, NC
> > >
> >
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