I have an 84 tintop with most of the Westie interior and a 5 sp manual transmission, powered by an inline VW motor that's installed on the factory inline deisel engine mounts. I happened onto this rig on a whim... there's not much "buzz" about this kinda Vanagon... though they are around and have been done for years. I'm no expert, and I can't quote exact figures, VW numbers, current costs, etc. but here's my take on this type of Vanagon. I think, for those who're using the Vanagon a lot, it's a great set up. It is very simple and easily maintained, performs like a normal vehicle and has very good gas mileage. The increase in power from a stock WBX motor is not so much as to break things, and these inline VW motors are quite robust. I like the way the inline conversion makes the Vanagon still a Vanagon.. Many other types of conversions seem to make these vans into something else... I like to be able to get parts in small towns, if needed. I like to be able to fix it without a degree in computer science and a flatbed ride to some dealership... It's a VW van... I've got now an ABA Jetta inline that my wife leaves over tbe summer in the desert. Her work car. That one is super, too. Great little simple cheap motors...very appropriate for a Vanagon, |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.