Okay, stupid question time, for tweakers only:

Is the in-line 4 that you all are talking about the same 1.8L Turbo that comes
in current Passats?  The same one that develops 150 HP @ 5700 RPM?  The one for
which you can get a chip that'll take it up to a noisy 195(6?) HP?  If it is,
has anyone put one of these in a Vanagon or Westy with the enhanced performance
chip?  What kind of torque does this engine develop with the chip?  Does anyone
here have, or know of, an internet presence where this type of stuff is
discussed at length so I won't have to bore the whole list with my curiosity?

Thanks in advance for indulging me my questions,
Marc Perdue

Dan Kinsey wrote:

> I think these are all very valid points.  Given my experience owning several
> Jetta's/Golf's/Passat's I can say from experience that the l4 engine is just
> about bullet proof.  From what I am finding out about the cost of a *used*
> Subaru engine I think, for myself anyway, the l4 is the best way to go.
>
> In a message dated 5/20/00 12:55:24 AM Central Daylight Time,
> vanagon@volkswagen.org writes:
>
> << -- 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. >>