Date:         Fri, 12 Dec 1997 19:49:13 -0500
Reply-To:     James Cohen <jscohen@SPRYNET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.sdsc.edu>
From:         James Cohen <jscohen@SPRYNET.COM>
Subject:      Re: Conversion Commotion (rambling)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>Jim DiGennaro wrote:
>
>> Hi Volks,
>>     I see many posts about converting waterboxer vanagons to other forms
>> of power plants and I'd like to put my 2 cents worth in on the subject.
>> I'll probably get flamed for this but here goes.--
>
>____________
>Hello to all you Vanagoners,
>
>I cannot miss the opportunity to put my own one cent worth in (about half
>of Jim
>DiGennaro's).  I agree whole heartedly with Jim's sentiments.  Although we all
>would probably love to have some more power (this is coming from a diesel
>owner),
>there is something to be said for the whole package.  Many Vanagon owners
>have come
>from a previous generation of VW van by some name.  These vans have a sort of
>mystique in my mind.  They are quirky but lovable (why else would we put
>up with
>the quirks).  They are under powered but have a road ability all of their own.
>What other van can be driven to such an elderly age and still attract
>attention,
>not for being a junker, but for being 'unique' and desirable.  My previous
>van was
>a 1971.  I loved it, and was very upset when it finally succumbed to the salt
>disease so common in Ontario.  I thought I would never find anything to
>replace
>it.  When I was fortunate enough to acquire my current Vanagon, I found a
>vehicle I
>grew to love and respect (sounds like my wife) even more than my 1971.
>But it is
>slow.  Like many Vanagoners, I lusted after more power (remember it is a
>diesel).
>When I decided to keep the van forever, I rebuilt the engine, and did some
>serious
>thinking about a turbo diesel

Hmmm, I wonder if that Turbo will run a Wasserboxer?

James