Date:         Thu, 14 Oct 1999 21:35:24 EDT
Reply-To:     Vantaztik@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger&Zoe Ann Banker <Vantaztik@AOL.COM>
Subject:      1.9 heads on a 2.1 engine?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi all.  My local mechanic (a reputable fellow) rebuilt an engine 6000 miles
ago with 1.9 heads on a 2.1 engine.  The cc loss is minuscule, maybe 5cc, but
the compression goes way up to 180.  According to the Bentley, up to 189 is
acceptable, so this looks good.  I rode in it today, a standard 1987 Vanagon,
and the power increase was quite noticeable.  It runs smooth, no overheating,
no problems.  Now mine is being rebuilt, and I told the mechanic to get 1.9
heads for my 2.1.  Has anyone tried this?  Aside from the need for premium
gas, are there any drawbacks?  I am only interested in low end power, so I
don't want big valves, ratio rockers, hot cams, or any other stuff that needs
high rpms to be effective. I am also getting a performance exhaust system
from Fast German Auto.
Will this set-up work well, and are there any other low end performance
goodies I am overlooking?
Roger & Zoe Ann Banker
1987 Syncro Adventurewagen