> Is it really all that better?
>  My Wasserboxer is in the 130HP range and a few other mods 150HP to 200 HP+
> is  possible, with all the reliability of a stock.

>>I may have missed it, but did you dynotest your engine after mods?
I have not yet because of time and I am working out bugs in my FI system.
Before I bought the Vanagon, a wire to the hall sensor cracked and damaged
several FI parts. I need to get a Idle control module.

>>That's quite an HP jump, and it's almost impossible to get something for
nothing.
>>Increased HP=increased drivetrain stress, heat, etc.

Actually I decreased the stress in the engine: counterweighted crank, full
balancing, rebuilt parts to exact lengths, matched ported: intake, exhaust,
oil pump, careful assembly.  All these will decrease the stress, reduce the
harmonics, increase bearing life AND increase the HP that is wasted.  I then
increased the flow of air through the engine from the intake to the exhaust
tip.  Then I add other T1 HP parts to prevent know T1 AND Wasserboxer
failures (remember the Wasserboxer is basically a T1 engine with water
jackets).  I increased the valve lift, but rather than going to heavier valve
springs I lightened the weight the spring has to push to prevent the lose of
HP and increased cam wear with heavier springs. I then added the ceramic
coatings to protect the engine from the heat and head corrosion.

In the tranny I have an HD four spider diff rather than the stock 2 spider
unit.  I do not do burn outs so the rest of the drive train should hold up
fine.

>>Also, claiming "stock" reliability for a Wasserboxer is not exactly a
ringing
>>endorsement.

I was referring to the mileage of the engine: many go well over 100,000 miles
on the engine NOT the leaking problems.

>>A key to longevity is an overdesigned engine.

That is why I did what I did...

> Notice that the writer SAID that the Eurospec engine power was really no
>  better than a STOCK Wasserboxer????

>> I think the writer is wrong. And even if he is right, there is a marked
>> improvement in drivability (much less shifting) over the WBX.

I SHIFT LESS now than before
With my engine, I can go down to 35mph in fifth gear and still accelerate
back up to 80 mph.
Once I am moving, I am usually in fourth (below 45) or fifth gear,
occasionally shifting to third if I slow to a crawl due to traffic.

>> The price? A
>> drone from the I-4 (and a much lighter wallet) rather than a more tolerable
>> rumble and smoother running.

Not me...

>> Let's face it, if the WBX was a success, VW would have stayed with it,

Unfortunately VW moved to front engine vans.  They had a SIX cylinder
Wasserboxer that was to come out but went to front engine vans and a company
in Germany bought the design.  I have heard it is available in Germany
somewhere.  I have some German VW mags, If I could only read German...
There is a 2.5L upgrade kit available from the Projektzwo:

The projektzwo designprogramme is available in the USA from:

1552 Design, 4803-A Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304 USA
Mr. Adrian Jones
Tel. 703-461 8511,   Fax 703-461 8531

Best regards
projektzwo GmbH

You can get all the cool projektzwo stuff.

>> I still miss the smoothness and the sound of my WBX. One day
>> soon, I hope to find a Westfalia and make it a project WBX restoration.

I do not...

>> However, for my daily driver, I'll take the I-4 in my Carat, warts and all.

Enjoy your warts and all...However I do not like warts...

On other point, I should be able to pass emmisions with no problems...

Robert