Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:07:43 -0700
Reply-To: Rob <vwrobb@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rob <vwrobb@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: I-4 conversion general info
In-Reply-To: <005101d10f57$1c452540$54cf6fc0$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
As I saw it (just reading this great batch of information, Thanks!)
if you pick up the 83 diesel parts all you need is the exhaust, an
engine & a harness. Hoses & belts too but they are normal
consumables. I realize I'm probably missing something.
Rob
vwrobb@gmail.com
At 10/25/2015 11:58 AM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>I don't see a cheap way to do this on an '85 Digijet with an
>automatic transmission. FAS's kit for the auto is $3000, and you
>still need all the hoses, custom fabricated exhaust, and other
>bits. A Subaru conversion kit from RMW would cost $2700, but would
>include all the bits and pieces to "turn the key".
>
>It doesn't look like a practical conversion, am I missing something?
>
>Stuart
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>Behalf Of Don Hanson
>Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2015 8:25 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: I-4 conversion general info
>
>There doesn't seem to be a collection of information in any one
>place on this conversion...You'll have to look in multiple places to
>find your answers...The conversion IS rather simple, compared to any
>of the other options, and it's certainly a lot cheaper than any
>other....if you stick with a stock inline digifant motor for your swap...
>
> A few leads to get you going....try the VW Vortex pages. Techtonics
>Tuning, a VW specific parts place in Oregon has lots of parts for
>the inline VW motors and lots of specialized knowledge concerning
>how to make them work well.
> If you stick with a stock inline cross-flow motor (92 and
> older?) and start with a decent digifant Vanagon, you could
> probably do the whole deal for under $500 and have a more powerful
> and dependable Vanagon in about one
>day's work...nothing special needed. You may have to extend a couple of
>the vanagon's wires to make the plugs reach, and you will need to
>clearance a little in the engine bay to make room for the throttle body..
>
>.The inline VW, gas and diesel, are identical blocks....the gasser
>bolts right up to the engine mounts from a diesel vanagon....The
>engine management system is almost identical too..between the
>vanagon and the digifant jetta, rabbit, cabriolet motors....Parts
>are mostly interchangeable........
> I ran a stock 92 Cabriolet motor (1.8 liter cross flow digifant)
> in my vanagon for a couple of years...Very robust and
> inexpensive...slightly better performance than a stock WBX
> motor...These motors are selling cheap. The parts are cheap, too.
> About two years ago I got another Jetta motor, complete, for $300. I
>combined the older cross flow heads (to keep it simple) with the 2.0
>liter ABA Jetta ('93) and got a more powerful hybrid motor ...spent
>$600 total including all the parts, but I sold off the PS pump, the
>alternator, etc..and actually made some money over the $300 I spent
>for the motor...this motor gives me about 125hp and ~25mpg in fuel use....
> A good way to go as an alternative engine for the Vanagon.
>
>On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 9:58 PM, Rob <vwrobb@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I'm looking for some general information on putting a gasoline VW I-4
> > into a Vanagon. I'm not asking the right questions at the samba search...
> >
> > What do I need to do the conversion?
> >
> > Right now I'm just curious...
> >
> > Rob
> > vwrobb@gmail.com
> >
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