Yes, I have some experience with the Audi 5 in a Vanagon. They are
strong and durable engines in the heavy vehicles they came in and I have
18 months and 18k miles on the 2.2 version in my 87 Syncro Camper. I
have had no problems so far. They are basically the 4 cylinder engine
with an extra cylinder on the end and some mechanical improvements. They
share the bore and stroke but the extra cylinder makes them 25% larger,
more powerful, and smoother. The engine compartment of the Vanagon was
designed with the inline 4 in mind (diesel version) so they can be
installed readily with mostly factory parts. The 5 cylinder is longer so
it is a tighter fit. This adds to the cost and difficulty of the
conversion but the result is worth it to me. Most of the 18k miles have
been done fully loaded for camping and towing a small boat trailer of
800-900 lbs. The low end torque of the 5 cylinder makes this towing
comfortable, not the white knuckle experience it sometimes was with the
stock waterboxer. Highway passing is possible even loaded like this
where before I was often stuck behind slow moving vehicles unless there
were long clear openings ahead. We now arrive at distant Baja
camping/fishing spots faster and less frazzled. My Syncro has been
transformed. I plan to keep this thing a very long time. And yes, it is
smog legal in California.

Mark Drillock

Heath Vogt wrote:
>

>
> So why not do the Audi 2.3L 5 cylinder swap?  I haven't heard much about this
> one, but if that engine can move a big 'ol Audi 5000, it aught to be able to
> move a bus pretty good.  I don't know alot about the reliablity of the engine
> other than knowing there were alot of Audi 5000's around when I lived in WI
> with 200,000 miles running strong with naturally lightened bodies (rusted out
> like crazy).
>
> Anyone have any experience with these?
>
> Heath
>
>