What a wired subject....

Raimund,

you're right, the SA engines are offering more torque on
low rpm's. In other words, the injection system (similar
to Bosch full electronic engine control) cuts off torque
and power at a certain limit. The limits are 100kW and
200Nm.

The SA gearbox is strengthed compared to the European
or US versions!

The European 136 PS Audi engines delivers about 180Nm
to the tranny, which is about that torque of 95PS WBX.
So no fear about the gearbox, only additional stress
is the higher revolution end of 6500 rpm at Audi (WBX
ends at 5500 rpm).

>On manual trannies not the diff is the weakest point,
>but the gears. Since this problem is non-existent in
>automatics, their only problem MAY be the diff.

Oh, that's not true. SA engineers found that at high
rpm on the European tranny will melt down the fourth
and fifth gear. That's why they modified that box.

>Summary: In my opinion an automatic Vanagon can stand
>higher power conversions than a manual.

I learned that I have to agree on this. You're right.
But there is a problem to find the adapter to mount
the automatic to the crank case.