Date:         Tue, 12 Jan 1999 17:47:52 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: how much interest IS there in the 5cyl conversion???
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

The 5 cylinder engines are still being made. You can buy a brand new 2.3 liter one for under $2000. Try buying a brand new waterboxer engine. There are a lot more of these engines in newer cars than waterboxers. Your concerns are much more valid with respect
to the waterboxer engine which has been out of production for 7 years and was never sold in the US in great numbers. There is already sometimes a shortage of used heads for use as cores by rebuilders. New heads can be purchased but what is the quality like?
They not made in Germany as far as I know. Can anyone set me straight on this? As for the fuel injection components, the Audi's CIS system is simpler and there are a lot of them around for parts. The same system has been in use in VW's and Audi's for 20
years so there are a lot of mechanics familiar with it. The engines have been proven bullet proof in different applications over a long period of time. They are still being sold in NEW vanagons overseas.

Mark Drillock

Nathaniel Merrill wrote:

> I am very interested in this swap kit.  I like what I hear on most aspects.... I would find my own engine and most likely rebuild it myself thus keeping the project factor high and the cost (not including my time- see previous) low.  Around $3700 maybe??
> But one thing I have wondered about is the availability of parts for these engines which in most cases are already 12+ years old.  What happens in another 10 years?  Am I worrying over nothing?
> A turbo under the deck would be nice.....
> Nat
> Seattle