Some people will say it is worth it to upgrade a wasterboxer's hp.  Maybe it
is, I have never tried.
I do think it would be more expensive in the long run.

I think a swap is a better approach to more power.
You simply have far more choices this way.
You can drop in a high torque TDI and still get great mileage or a chipped
220hp 1.8T VW/Audi gas motor.  Kennedy makes adapter plates for most any
other engine you can think of.  Try a 3.8 turbo Buick mill or a Chevy 4.3
vortec.  Almost anything is possible, especially if you have good salvage
yards in your area.

I bought a complete Ford 2.3 turbo motor for $200 from my yard.  This
includes accessories, turbo, manifolds, wiring harness, computer, etc.
With a free flowing exhaust and 20 psi, this motor puts out nearly 200hp.
200hp for less than some WB bolt-on mods.
Not to slam anybody, but you don't need coatings, big valves, balancing or
any other expensive machining to get 200 reliable horses from this mill.
Head gaskets are $12.  And you only need one.  If you somehow blow a gasket,
the head comes off in 30 minutes, and no machine work necessary(cast iron
head).

Somebody with time, skill and motivation can make a conversion work much
better than hoping up what VW stuck there originally.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Sean Lynch
> Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2000 1:19 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Performance Wasserboxer: Fact or Fiction
>
>
> As my '86 GL nears total stripdown, I've started looking at the supposed
> "performance" parts available for wasserboxers. I've noticed that
> big-valve
> heads
> really expensive. Ratio rockers too? Are these parts worth it?
> I've committed
> to spending whatever it takes to fully overhaul the beast, and I'd like to
> increase the bottom-end grunt a bit, since it's a bit weak on accelerating
> off a light with the A/C on. Plus, I'd like to tow with it
> sometime. I know
> that there are conversions available out the wazoo, but I'm bent
> on staying
> with the original motor. I've also heard rumors of P-Chips, but
> I'm skeptical
> that a lousy ROM could cure its hesitation. If anyone's tried this stuff
> before, I'd appreciate any input. Particularly cam recommendations,
> mild-street type. Thanks in advance.
>
>                                    Sean L.
>
>                                              '82 GL Diesel "DSELBOX"
>                                              '86 GL "ICEBOX"
>                                              '86 GL Weekender (no tag yet)
>
> P.S. Still looking for a tan driver's seat for the dieselbox. :)
>