Date:         Sat, 12 Dec 1998 23:12:45 EST
Reply-To:     Blbachman@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Blaine Bachman <Blbachman@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Eurospec Conversion
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Let's see if this works - used to be that non-subscriber mail didn't bounce,
but now?

Anyway, I'm a former list member (but couldn't keep up with the mail (and
frankly, had heard the tire discussion one time too many) so I bailed).

I've got almost a week of commuting on a Eurospec conversion and I figured I'd
report on it since I didn't see too much traffic on the archives.

I think I like it!  My installation is on a '91 Westfalia automatic.  I do
notice the added power, and it's comforting to know that the very reliable
Golf powerplant is pushing the car.  Minor downers are that there's nothing
you can access via the license plate door - ya' have to open the cover to
check and add oil or coolant.

I also imagine that the car "leans" to the left slightly, especially with me,
the sink/stove/fridge, and the top of the engine on the left side.  I
wonder....

Be advised that this is a costly bugger.  $4995 for the basic conversion, a
grand to my local "licensed" shop for the installation, about $450 in "extras"
for my particular installation, and $350 for the Governor.  Additional (read:
not free) parts are required for the power steering, auto trans, air
conditioner, cruise control, and even the dynamic oil pressure system.  In
some cases, the cost on the extra "kits" seemed a bit extreme.

The rebuilt/readjusted servo for the autotranny still needs some
work/adjustment.  Right now it's set up a bit too "hot" - it won't hit 3rd
until about 45mph (40 if you throttle back quite a bit), and I'd say it
downshifts a bit too easily, both into second and into first (I stomped on it
going up a steep hill in 2nd doing about 30mph and it went into first - talk
about rev thrills!)

And there's a pretty hairy harmonic vibration in the shifter at about 4200RPM
- put my hand on it and it dies out.

Anxious to see what the gas mileage shows - I seem to have traveled further on
a quarter tank of gas than with the old engine.

All in all - okay.  I don't recommend you do it just for fun, because of the
cost.  Save your money up and do it when the ol' wasserboxer takes a dump.
Those South Africans are on the right track.

Questions?  Drop by for a tour if you're passing through Albuquerque.

-Blaine