Date:         Fri, 2 Aug 96 21:58:42 -0500
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Kevin Disse <kdisse@tekstar.com>
Subject:      Re: '82 Diesel Westy to 1.9L TDI

At 11:46 PM 8/1/96 -0500, you wrote:
>
>
>
> >I'm planing to convert my 82 diesel to a TDI. Anybody out there done
>anything
> >similar? I've got a source for the new engine. I'm thinking I'll have to
>swap

I've been checking into this myself and I've found you need to get a complete
engine and the electronic brain with all the sensors and wiring.  I'm waiting
until I can buy a complete wrecked Passat donor car or a reasonably priced
complete 1.9 TDI package from someone who knows what they are doing.

> >the tranny also to take advantage of the new power. I've got a line on a 5
> >speed, from an '84, but i understand that,  that trans has about the same
> >final drive as the 4 speed. You just get a granny first gear ( plus
> >lockup???). Any experienced tranny folks out there? I seem to be on a
>mission
> >to do this. 
>Thanks,
>Bob Bellanca

I've driven two diesel Vanagons, one with a four speed and one with a five
speed.  It seems the five speed will give 5 to 10 mph faster highway speeds.

I'd like to hear what salvage yards are asking for complete TDI engines with
everything else that's required to do the swap in a Vanagon.

Kevin Disse
88 Westy GL
83 Vanagon Diesel GL
kdisse@tekstar.com