Hi Joel I've been thinking about the turbo diesel but recently found a supplier of new VW 1.9 diesels who will import them to the west coast for about $1600. I am getting used to going slow again (I drive the Celica if I'm in a hurry) and a few more hp with a normally aspirated engine would probably do just fine for the Vanagon. I'm looking mainly to high mileage and longevity. I do plan on the TD for my '81 pickup however if I can find one at a decent price. Used ones around here are around $1500 for a complete running engine. I haven't checked the self-serve yards yet but heard of a couple purchased cheap but needing rebuilt. Jim Esparto, California '81 Rabbit diesel '81 VW Pickup '82 Vanagon diesel
Joel Walker wrote: > > >I'm getting about 32 mpg all around with my '82 Vanagon diesel > but at > >the expense of not having enough power to cruise at much over 65 > without > >hurting the longevity of the stock 52 hp engine. > > brag, brag, brag. that's all you diesel guys do! :) in all > seriousness, though, you might consider putting a turbocharger on > it. turbos and diesels are made for each other ... the boost > comes on only when there is a load on the engine, like going up > hills. the biggest effect is that you won't NOTICE the hills so > much any more. :) > > the downside is a loss of about 2-3 mpg, and a LOT of heat in the > engine compartment. makes changing oil every 2000 miles a > necessity (if the turbo uses the engine oil as a coolant). and i > mean a LOT of heat. :( but usually, there is enough airflow to > keep the turbo cool, and a diesel doesn't have a lot of > electronics back there to worry about. > > just a thought. there was a fellow who wrote up some stuff about > putting one on his diesel in texas, so he could run a/c. :) > > joel |
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