Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 22:53:13 -0400
Reply-To: thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Mullendore <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Swap - what about TDI?
Several of us have already or are in the process of converting with the TDI.
IMHO it is the best engine for the Vanagon conversions. Gobs of torque, fuel
thrifty, and lasts (relatively) forever. The biggest drawback at present is
finding a complete donor car for the engine and the many needed bits. This
will change as more and more are sold, however. The other smaller problem is
getting the diesel-specific Vanagon parts to install the inline engine in
the proper VW 50 degree attitude. Ground clearance is not an issue at all.
Diesel Vanagons of course are the easiest to convert, but all can be
converted to diesel, even the Syncro, with the factory TD Syncro fuel tank
and slightly different engine carriers. I have heard that Winkler offers a
conversion kit, with most of the bits to make a TDI conversion a lot less
time consuming than sorting everything out yourself.
Karl
'87 Syncro Westy TD (to be TDI this month!)
>Subject: Engine Swap - what about TDI?
> Frank H wrote:
> <<How many of you folks that are recommending an engine swap have actually
> done
> it?>>
>
> I'm curious too. Changing engine types seems like a Very Big Deal to me -
> especially for the cost vs. a rebuilt WB.
>
> Also, why is *everyone* recommending the 5-cyl conversion? What about the
> TDI? That would seem like the ultimate engine to have in a Vanagon for
those
> looking at spending thousands and thousands of dollars anyhow. I've driven
> this engine in Passats and also in the new Golf and it is excellent - and
> driving behind one you'd hardly notice it was a diesel. Imagine getting 30
> mpg in a Vanagon - that's about 500 miles per tank! (That figure was
quoted
> in an ad for a TDI conversion Vanagon FS in WI - YMMV). Plus, you could
> carry extra fuel without breaking the law or risking your life! And with
> gasoline prices and taxes sure to continue climbing, gallon for gallon
> diesel might even become a cheaper alternative. And diesels last
practically
> forever.
>
> Aside from limited fuel availability and cold weather issues in some
areas,
> what are the drawbacks? Lower ground clearance/engine height? Cost?
> Difficulty of conversion? Is it practical only for already-diesel vans?
> Doesn't work for Syncros? I know this has been discussed before, but I
> haven't really found any definitive sources of information on the topic in
> the archives or on personal sites. Anybody know the whole story?
>
> Doug Fitz-Randolph
> Yarmouth, ME
> dfrandolph@talkam.net
> '90 Syncro
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