Date: Mon, 23 May 2022 19:41:59 -0700
Reply-To: Stacy Schneider <vwcrewman@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stacy Schneider <vwcrewman@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine choices:was You Never Know: A Story
In-Reply-To: <475933058.1107568.1653345637038@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
How difficult was getting a Sticker from the BAR? I tried a few
years ago was told a resounding NO!
Stacy
On Mon, May 23, 2022 at 3:41 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
> I should have mentioned I live in San Diego. California has some of the
> most strict SMOG laws (thankfully!) and I've heard other States are
> starting to latch on to California's criteria. After the cop says, "Do you
> know why I pulled you over?", the next statement is "Show me your license
> and registration." Vehicle is subject to impound if not all correct; and
> yes, I am sure the cops know all about schemes like registering van in
> South Dakota and all that baloney. And never lie to a cop.
>
> So why the Subie 2.2 motor conversion? It's because of KEP. Kennedy
> Engineered Products. Out in the California desert. Hobart Kennedy
> pioneered this many years ago, and went to extensive lengths to get it all
> approved with California. You even get a placard riveted into engine bay
> stating so.
> When you go to the SMOG check station (Vanagons are classified as gross
> polluters and must only go to a Check Only Station), the first thing the
> technician does is look around. With scrutiny. His license and business
> depends on it. If all good, then you proceed to the Dynamometer...and
> hopefully all good after that. (I even went the extra mile to a Smog
> Referee...to get to coveted BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repairs
> sticker.....should satisfy any smog shop anywhere.)
>
> Sure....many possible motor conversions possible, even Saturn motors.
> But....the thing always lodging in your gut in California is that in 2
> years you've got to pass smog. To the letter.
> I know this is all Old News for most. And if you are just doing a few
> thousand miles a year on local camping trips and things are running OK,
> then fine. Me? I travel long distances. Most towns in the middle of the
> USA have no idea what a Vanagon is, yet alone have Vanagon mechanics (they
> are even all retiring and closing shop here in San Diego). So for me, if
> it's a motor problem (especially diagnostics), I could probably find some
> Subaru mechanic almost anywhere. For the rest of the Vanagon, like brakes
> or muffler or radiator or whatever, pretty much any auto mechanic can
> probably do the job. Traveling with a Bentley is always a good strategy.
> Sorry...not being dismissive about other options than Subie....but all
> things considered regarding laws and performance and longevity and
> reliability....it was the right choice for me. Yes...the $12.5 K (5 years
> ago, now $15K) conversion by a local shop stung quite a bit. But I would
> do it all over again.
>
>
> On Monday, May 23, 2022, 06:25:40 AM PDT, Eric Caron <
> ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> After a tired Engine I chose to do a GW 2.3. Was it the best choice? No
> way to know yet.
>
> The new to me 84 has a GW 2.3 and I have the records, 80,000 miles later
> it need a tune up and has a running issue that I expect will not be hard to
> resolve. Even as is we had a fun trip back from Florida.
>
> That engine served the PO folks incredibly well. Their travel log is
> amazing.
>
> If I were to do a different non original engine what would it be? Right
> now I’d choose a VW 1.8 new out of the box and installed with a kit from
> FAS or I could bring the van there.
>
> But, with the 2.3 I’m very happy with power.and with new GW ignition I’ve
> removed most wiring issues.
>
> Current issues are minor things like seeping rear heater valve and mystery
> ooze somewhere in the extensive cooling system. This is not do to the
> engine choice.
>
> Friends are happy with their ford motors, others with diesel and others
> with Subaru.
>
> All are machines that will have failures, all have some advantages.
>
> I enjoy the talk but sometimes the dismissive tone toward the older
> engines strikes me as not correct.
>
> There are advantages to the newer motors but when cared for well the
> water boxer is holding up just fine.
>
> My tired 1.9 is now in a bay window with over 150,000 miles. It is
> proving a reliable and stable motor in that bus. It fits great and the
> owner knows how to maintain it. The price was low. Would a different
> engine be “better?” In some ways yes in some ways no. But every time he
> flies up Woodford Mountain in that 78 Bay going 55 with my old engine I’m
> impressed.
> Did I retire that engine too early?
>
> So, Lets enjoy all our different upgrades but, be nice to those running a
> Saturn motor in a Vanagon. Yes, there is one,Read about it on the sister
> email list.
>
> Eric Caron
>
>
>
> > On May 22, 2022, at 9:34 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
> wrote:
> >
> > John, you are like a cat with 9 lives! So glad you are enjoying your
> Subie conversion.
> >
> > Me too, but mine is only an EJ22 (135 HP) but now with 60K miles on a
> totally rebuilt motor. An impressive thing about the Subaru conversion is
> that you can delete many troublesome issues off your list. Like old
> crumbly ECU electronics and associated harness issues. No more funky
> distributor with Hall effect sensor issues. The worn carbon tracks on the
> MAF unit are also eliminated. Usually in a conversion, you also do new
> clutch, new SS pipes to new front radiator, new SS exhaust headers and cat
> and muffler. Tons of issues gone....for a long while. Better metallurgy
> all around, better tolerances too. And now we have modern oil to make
> things last.
> >
> >
> > A tranny rebuild, a new starter with the TDI adapter, fresh CV
> Joints.....oh yeah!
> >
> >
> > Oh....not to mention the extra HP and MPG. And the Subie electronics
> automatically "learn" about subtle changes in motor system as things wear
> and crud up a little and make adjustments to compensate. SMOG pass is a
> no-brainer; readings are always on the very low side. Easily pass, even in
> California. So...enjoy your new rig....but I recommend only using that
> extra power occasionally. It's fun though!!!
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sunday, May 22, 2022, 05:42:21 PM PDT, John Rodgers <
> jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Yep, Stephen. I'll be 83 in October.
> >
> > i thought it would be fun to retrace my history.
> >
> > Two car wrecks, one bad barracuda encounter when diving, one engine
> nearly
> > coming off in flight over the Brooks Range in Alaska, loss of flutter
> > dampening aileron counter weights in turbulence over the Brooks Range -
> > should have crashed but miraculously didn't, uncontrolled upside down
> > outside loop while moose hunting on the Yukon River - scared me so bad I
> > pulled a cone in the pilot seat they couldn't repair - had to change out
> > the seat. Got struck by lightening while making pots on my potters wheel.
> > In 2014, had a stroke that paralyzed me completely from head to toe on
> the
> > right side. Got it all back but for a slight limp in right leg. January
> > 2020, broke three ribs, collapsed a lung, had what's called a bi-lateral
> > decompressive laminectomy - that was fun. In November I broke my left
> hip,
> > from which I'm still recovering. The doc's put me back together with
> screws
> > and some bone cement. Sure glad I didn't have to have a hip replacement.
> > I'm going to have fun at the DMV when I renew my drivers license. Gonna
> > make all the alarms go off.
> >
> > That's where I am now. And I'm sure as heck not going to ask what's
> next. I
> > can walk, albeit with a cane or rollator, both of which I keep in my van
> at
> > all times, along with some other strategic "old man" equipment. Although
> > getting in and out of the van is a project these days, I can do it. And
> do
> > it I will as long as I can drive my van. I love going places in that
> thing.
> > There is nothing else out there like it. And one particular joy? Passing
> > traffic struggling going up hill on the steepest hill in Birmingham!
> >
> > On Sun, May 22, 2022 at 6:08 PM Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Way to go! If I recall correctly, you began that project when you were
> >> older than I am now (71). This gives me hope that I'll be able to
> complete
> >> a few more projects in the time I have left.
> >>
> >> Stephen
> >>
> >> On Sunday, May 22, 2022, 06:33:27 PM EDT, John Rodgers <
> >> jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> Four years ago, the engine failed in my 1988 Vanagon GL. I said "Last
> time,
> >> Brother. The third time's the charm!" This was the third engine rebuild
> I
> >> had been through over the years and I was done. I searched around for a
> >> suitable alternative for the deceased WBX, and determined the nearest
> >> look-a-like with promise was the Subaru ej2.5. Modern technology, modern
> >> metallurgy, pretty good performance history, engines readily available.
> So
> >> I went for it. Little did I know what a can of worms I opened with that
> >> decision.
> >>
> >> I found a wrecked 2005 Subaru Outback(A tree fell on it in a storm).
> Felt
> >> like I got a good deal. Then I learned that was a transition year.
> Subaru
> >> had things in it from earlier years, and things introduced latter, and
> that
> >> made sorry choice for conversion. Things didn't match well in the
> >> computer/IGNITION PART. Lots of headaches. Money was slow, so progress
> was
> >> slow. Then my friend who was a skilled mechanic who was going to help
> with
> >> this, broke out with wifey trouble all over and had to find another
> place
> >> to live, thereby losing his place for my project.
> >>
> >> About this time a 1991 Carat came up for sale. The engine from my GL was
> >> gone, my mechanic was gone, I had fallen and had gotten three broken
> ribs
> >> and a collapsed lung out of the deal and didn't know how the heck I was
> >> going to get that engine in my van.
> >>
> >> I went and talked with my neighbor, Matt Yester, on this list, who had
> much
> >> experience on these conversions. We worked a deal. He would do a
> >> turnkey job for me in exchange for my old van and the engine from the
> >> Carat. And he would completely rebuild the front end of the Carat for
> labor
> >> if I provided parts. A deal was struck.I had all brand new front end
> parts
> >> and other stuff I had gotten from Uncle Joel (remember him?) when he
> left
> >> this list group.
> >>
> >> A few weeks ago Matt came and got me and handed me the van keys.
> Conversion
> >> done, using SmallCar as the basic conversion. That engine performs
> >> beautifully. Going from 90 hp to 165 hp in a Vanagon is to really kick
> >> butt! The engine was completely gone through with a valve job complete,
> all
> >> new bearings throughout, as well as new rings. This coupled to the
> Vanagon
> >> autotranny. What a performer.
> >>
> >> Thru this adventure other things came to light. I have had to replace
> the
> >> power window motors and regulators on both sides. Window operators
> cables
> >> had been cut. I discovered that only after removing the door panels to
> see
> >> what was wrong. Door locks didn't work. RepLaced.
> >>
> >> It's been an ongoing project. But fun.
> >>
> >
>
>
> --
1989 Swedish Tristar with Aluminum gates and Atiwe 16" Wheels.
Oldest son is an Eagle scout.
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