Over the last year or more there has been much talk about transplants of various kinds of 4cyl VW engines into US/Canadian Vanagons/Westfalias/Transporters. I understand that VW of South Africa produces a model of Vanagon (Caravelle?) that uses the Audi/VW 5cyl. engine. At 2.4L displacement it would presumably have more torque and horsepower, than the  4cyls. at lower rpm and not much greater fuel consumption? Yet we don't hear anything on the list about using those engines for transplant, either as gas or diesel? I'm wondering why? Is the S.A. chassis different and the engine wouldn't fit other chassis types?

I would assume that the VW of S.A. would have all the necessary engine mounts and exhaust system parts and brackets etc, probably even wiring harness for sale. Is there an issue with compatibility of  the transmission that makes this option impractical or is there some other reason it is not being considered?

Alan Pickersgill
'85 Transporter converted to Westfalia
Ottawa ON
Canada 

[text/html]