Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 11:59:07 -0500
Reply-To: Erik O <koesel@UAKRON.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Erik O <koesel@UAKRON.EDU>
Subject: Engine swaps: a must read :)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Here are some of my ideas on engine swaps... for what it's worth!
covered here are...
-16v VW engines
-8v VW engines (my van)
-Subaru
-Wasserboxer
-Some tips on conversions.
-16v engines in a vanagon are a BAD idea. They have little torque in the
range that the vanagon uses. Plus they don't fit without taking a big
chunk out of the frame. Vanagons and especially westys are also carrying
around a lot of weight which really takes it's toll on the smaller valve
train components. When you have a vehicle of this mass you need to think
in terms of BIG when choosing an engine option. Not BIG as in HP, or
CC's, BIG as in the physical size of the components. The more surface
area a component has, the less it would be subjected to wear under load.
Kind of like putting Charlie Ford on ice skates and having him walk on
your new hardwood floors, maybe wider is better :)
-I have an 86 GTI 8v hyd. in my 82 Westfalia. Based on the external
components I am using, (FI, exhaust, intake, ignition, ect) I figure the
engine is producing about 90-95 HP. Once I get rid of the original
diesel manifold and some of the exhaust and improve on the intake a bit,
I should be able to exceed 110 hp, which is what the engine is rated at.
All this means NOTHING though. While the engine is rated at 110 HP,
that's at 5500RPM. My van rarely sees that kind range. Don't tell me
what your HP is or what you want it to be. Tell me how much torque you
have at 2500rpm. You do a lot more driving in that area than at 5500. My
van will do 120 mph at 5500, but I'm too old (26) now to go that fast, I
like to stay around 70.
-Subaru engines are great in Subaru's, but I think they're going to be
proven disappointing in the vanagons. Back to that Charlie Ford on ice
skates idea here. Especially given the outrageous cost of the kit from
Kennedy I think a lot of people may choose a cheaper and higher mileage
engine from the junk yard and be in for trouble from the start. Part of
the expense of an engine conversion should benefit you in some way, like
ease of maintenance, or availability of parts, or expense of parts. I
see none of that with the Subaru conversion. I think Kennedy takes too
big a cut on the total project. But what do I know? I guess time will
tell.
-Wasserboxers! They deserve a spot here. Most of the time they're the
cheapest, easiest option a lot of owners have. Let me say this... THE
2.1L VW WASSERBOXER IS AN EXCELLENT ENGINE. There, now I'm out of the
closet, although receiving no ad revenue from VWoA. The WB has one major
problem that is rarely addressed here. It's not the leaking heads or the
corrosion issue, those are after effects of the main problem. The WB has
poor quality, poorly designed head studs. The heads leak because of
corrosion, corrosion starts when coolant gets under the gasket sealing
surface. The question is why is coolant invading an area that should be
sealed. There are other areas of the WB that are sealed and coolant
isn't eating it's way through those seals. Go to the archives and do a
search under Mark Keller. Read everything he has written on the topic.
He explains this better than I do. There is a way to prevent this, you
have to figure that into your options.
+ unless you're a true diesel fan, if you have a diesel engine
(original) in a vanagon you're crazy, putting a gasoline engine will be
a rewarding project for you.
+ If you don't do your own work stick with what you have, unless you
have a mechanic that owes his life to you or something.
+ If you absolutely must do a conversion use a VW 8v with MECHANICAL
valvetrain.
+ Send list administrator Chris Smith $20, for the list of course!
+ Avoid engines you can't replace with a "spare" for more than $200.
+ The Kennedy in-line VW adapter is a GOOD THING.
+ The 1.9L WB is almost as good as the 2.1L.
+ Horsepower means squat, if you don't believe me put a Mazda rotary in.
+ Keep it smog legal, even if you don't have to in your area.
+ No Charlie Fords were injured or abused during this message. I just
needed a figure that a lot of people can relate to as being.... well
big. You should see him move on the Tennis court though, wow!
_______________________
Erik O Akron, Oh
82 GTI Westfalia
http://ebyte.com/gl
http://ebyte.com/cam
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