Date:         Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:51:35 -0400
Reply-To:     Stephen Engel <sengel543@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Engel <sengel543@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Engine question just curious
Comments: To: Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <EAD0D619-DAE2-4B1D-9E36-53D02B34DA6C@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

The decision to offer the vanagon with a flat four was the result of the many advantages/disadvantages that must be considered in designing any product. My understanding is that  VW had A LOT of experience and success with the design and layout of the original Bus and it's (air cooled) engine. VW needed to update the chassis/body, but not loose the desirability of its original concept. The flat four had relatively low production and design costs associated with it.  It was a nice compact design whose performance fit well with the Vanagon's intended uses. The flat four had a long track record with lots of popularity. Many people were upset when VW went to inline water cooled engines with the Golf/Polo. Recall how Porsche fans felt when they did the same..

When the air cooled flat four could no longer meet the demands put on it by tighter emission regulations, they choose to make the conversion to water cooled. They claimed it was cheaper to do the water cooled change rather than engineer the inline fours for the Vanagon. This point seems moot when one considers the DISASTER that ensued when the water cooled engine got real world use. AND they also offered the Diesel inline engines at the beginning of the Vanagon's release on the market.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 24, 2017, at 8:13 PM, Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> 
> Hi folks,
> 
> This is a different kind of Vanagon Engine question.
> 
>        I’ve often wondered why the Vanagon has a different engine then other VW offerings of the same vintage.  If people are putting in engines from rabbits, and other cars and they seem to work what was the advantage in having a whole different engine for the Vanagon?  Was the engine a money savor or was it considered stronger in some way for the van?  It seems like they could save money by just using one engine for many cars.  It seems like that is done for many car companies today.
> 
> So, anyone know why the water boxer in the Vanagon and not the same engine as other VW cars? 
> 
> Or do other VW cars have the same motor in them?
> 
> I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone saying I’m going to upgrade my VW by putting a Vanagon motor in it.
> 
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 85 GL Westfalia