Date:         Mon, 2 Nov 1998 11:21:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Michael Sullivan <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Sullivan <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM>
Subject:      TDI conversion
Comments: To: Lawrence Johnson <ljohnson@halhinet.on.ca>
Comments: cc: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/enriched; charset="us-ascii"

Dear Larry,


I won't be "converting" until next spring/Summer -- I'm still in data acquiring mode.


One thing that is a MAJOR stumbling block is that the TDI redlines at 4400rpm while the Wasserboxer redlines at 5400. Thus, if you don't change your gearing somehow, the max speed will be about 70mph at near redline!!! Needless to say, this is unacceptable.


Changes I'm planning on doing: Going to 29.29" tires (up from 26.7") AND chaning of 3rd/4th gears from 1.23/.85 to 1.19/.77. This unfortunately requires the gearbox to be rebuild BTW, which is VERY expensive!!!! Also, the 1.19 3rd gear is a custom order item.


All in all, the TDI conversion has to be one of the most EXPENSIVE conversions you can do to your Vanagon. ;(


Cheers,

MJS


At 11:02 AM 11/2/98 -0500, Lawrence Johnson wrote:

>Michael, ultimately we'd like to install a TDI in our syncro when the boxer engine

>starts to be more trouble than its worth to repair. Are you documenting the conversion

>process? Are you planning on posting it on your web site? It would make the conversion

>a lot smoother if we knew what pit falls to avoid.

>Thanks, Larry and Avery Johnson '86 Syncro Westfalia




<bold>Michael J. Sullivan

</bold><italic>Director of Catalog Design

Open Market, Inc.

</italic>

'87 GL Syncro Westfalia

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