I don't normally get into these discussions but as a two and a half year
Westaru user I can answer your question.

I still leave open mouths off the line at the green light when I am in a
hurry.

I'm not sure what the German Japanese comment means but they made a good go
of it in WW2.

The repairs comment is a holdover from the "when is it gonna break again"
mentality of owning a 1.9/2.1 VWater.  It took me a while to relax, too.
The fact is in almost three years I had the timing belt replaced on teh
Subie by a good local garage.  They appreciated seeing swap and didn't have
a problem.  I would never go to a VW dealer.  And brakes and non-engine work
will still be done by the local guys with the pile of engines out back.  The
only risk I see is if there is a wiring problem.  I spent 40 hours on my
harness and I believe it will outlast my VW.  The only problem I had was a
recent radiator change.  I appreciated the chance to get back under the van
as I had not seen it in almost three years!  I quite missed it I believe.

I haven't needed an engine analyzer for the Subie since I read the select
monitor the first time I ran it (cost me $10.00)

When all is said and done I am extremely pleased with the swap.  The only
thing left is to run a bypass as described in a previous post.  The other
downside is that the Tachometer doesn't work.

John Fleming
85 Westaru 178,000

----- Original Message -----
From: t <vbob@PRIMENET.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2000 1:24 AM
Subject: Re: Subaru vs. VW Swap

> And the Subaru engine swap is legal in the state of Calyforneeaaa.
> Iffun the swap is done here, or if you ever plan on living here, until
> the I4's become certified, Soobaroos seem to be the way to go.
> I suspect, that swap or not, my vanagons will never see the inside of a
> VW garage.
>
> BTW, with the gearing in the Vanagon, why are you that concerned with
> bottom end torque anyway? Before you know it, you should be out and into
> the power band of the 'roo. Any input from Ron Bloomquist? How does this
> thing get off the line?
>
> tim o'brien (lover of that nasty inline 4 from Toyota 22RE)
>
> David Marshall wrote:
> >
> > I have no experience with the Subaru engines but I have a few things
> > against them in general:
> >
> > -- No bottom end torque as compaired to a 2.0L I4 or WBX
> > -- Japanese engine in a German van
> > -- The VW dealer will laugh at you if you come in for repairs
> > -- The Subaru dealer will laugh at you if you come in for repairs
> > -- A 2.0L I4 can easily make 130hp with a mild cam and a chip
> > -- The VW engines can be fully serviced by the VW 1551/2 computer
(assuming
> > you get a used North American spec engine).
> > --  VW I4 engines are cheaper than the Subaru engines.
> >
>