Date:         Fri, 13 Mar 1998 08:01:27 -0500
Reply-To:     Gary Stearns <gstearns@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Stearns <gstearns@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Engine swaps-prefer to keep VW
Comments: To: Vanagon Mail List <VANAGON@bigkitty.azaccess.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Good Morning-
Recently I posted a message asking about info on bumping the performance of the waterboxer.  The response was nearly universal "why bother". OK, so swaps seem to be the best choice.  I'd rather see the swap use a VW engine and not require a year of trial and error re-engineering.  So, anybody tried a swap of a 2 liter 16V engine from a Golf, Jetta or Passat?  I own a '92 Jetta 16V and the engine in this thing is wonderful (after a swap of computer chip and a 2 1/4" exhaust.  The stock engines with conservative tuning and pea-shooter exhaust are good for 134hp.  I'd guess mine is closer to the euro-spec 150hp.  

I'm thinking this would make the Vanagon a fun ride.  Aren't the basics of this swap available from the inline 4 Diesel Vanagons?

A related question: what's anybody doing about updating to a 5 speed tranny?  I understand that the stump pullers from the synchros &/or diesels are not the answer.  How about the South Africa connection.  What are they currently putting in Vanagons?

Good Weekend!

Gary

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