Robert,
Have you ever driven an I4 converted Vanagon?  I have a "tiny" 1.8L 1986
Jetta GLI motor in my 1984 Westfalia - this makes aproximately 102hp @ 5300
RPM and 110ft/lbs of torque @ 3200 RPM - you know, plus or minus are digits
here and there.  Almost the same specs as a 2.1L wasserboxer - little more
power little less torque - in reality more torque and power due to the
130PSI wasserboxers that are out there in most people's vans!  Top speed of
my van on the flat is just a tad over 150km/h (5200 RPM) - who drives that
fast?  I can maintain 100km/h with no problem even going up the steepest of
hills by dropping a gear - gets me from point A to point B at the same
speed of most of the other cars out there.  The 1.8L performs with the same
power characteristis as a 2.1L wasserboxer only you can rev it out just a
little more for better acceleration when passing someone.  Why would I want
to throw money into a different transmission - sure a five speed would be
nice, but the 4.85 R+P / .85 4th 4 speed that is in there is perfectly
suited to the $250 1.8L engine that I have installed in there.  150km/h is
fast enough to me and acceleration is not measured with a desk calander any
more so I am pretty happy with it - besides who needs speeding tickets!
There are a lot of people out there who do clue in to reality and realise
that their van isn't worh dumping over $10,000 CAD for a new engine and
transmission - most people have to buy groceries and pay the mortgauge and
a five speed transmission is only a toy and a dream.

At 04:45 PM 05/09/2000 EDT, Robert Lilley wrote:
>When you are thinking about engine options also factor in 'The
transmission' as part of the package.
>
>In SA, with the basic engine (2.3L 5 cylinder) comes with the four speed.
ALL other engine options come with the close ratio .457 five speed.  The
five speed makes better use of the engines power, while giving you a
overdrive.
>
>If you are thinking about spending bucks to go to Tii conversion I4, you
will spend @$5000+ for the engine + ??? for labor.  Add a close ratio
tranny to make up for the lacking low end, add another @$2000 on top of
what you have spent and you would pay for a WBX rebuild w/mods, SA 5 speed,
hoses, and many other parts towards a restoration (Which I did).
>
>
>You can modify an engine AND ADD a .457 SA five speed tranny for about the
same cost as the Tii conversion alone.
>
>
>I just put on a new ECU (I want to run the new ECU before I add the
Upgrade chip, to get a before and after conversion performance).  With the
new ecu the top end power is a stronger, bottom end is smoother and the gas
mileage has increased about 1 mpg around town (I have not tested at highway
speeds, 65-75 yet, so I should also see an increase on highway mileage).
>
>
>Like I have said, I can go in fifth from 40mph (35 if I do not feel like
shifting) to 90 mph+.
>Fourth can go from 25mph to 75mph.
>The engine can go down to 1500 move the van with no trouble.  I can keep
it in fifth
>
>Adding the ECU chip upgrade will increase both power and mileage.
>
>While you can swap to the Tiico 's kit, you would then need to spend more
money to make it run better at low end: cam, intake and other changes to
make better power at low speeds OR live with having to rev the engine,
which can then shorten it life....
>
>Robert
>
>

-- David Marshall - Volkswagen Enthusiast - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
-- 78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Iltis, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westfalia        --
-- 85 VW Cabriolet, 87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 VW Syncro Double Cab --
-- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org  --
-- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca  --
-- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list)  --