

| Subject: | Re: Suburu/Golf debate |
| From: | Mark Dorm |
| Date: | Thu, 4 Jan 2001 13:39:17 -0800 |
<html><DIV> <P>Are you saying you test drove these engines installed in a vanagon? If yes, was the gold a tiico or a eurospec conversion? And what kind of audi 5 cylinder are you talking about? Is it the one with 135hp? </P> <P>the vanagon stock engine 2.1 is what? 90 hp? with 17/18 mpg</P> <P>the golf 115 hp? with 20/23 mpg??</P> <P>the audi??? (135hp....) with mpg?????</P> <P>whats the hp of the suburu? and what kind of mileage does it get? </P> <P>You subies have got my attention - quiet engine, powerful, inexpensive (relative) </P> <P> </P> <P>>From: Warren Chapman <TALLSOUND@MY-DEJA.COM></P></DIV> <DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: Warren Chapman <TALLSOUND@MY-DEJA.COM> <DIV></DIV>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: Suburu/Golf debate <DIV></DIV>>Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 03:12:13 -0500 <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>I can't speak to resale value. I may never sell my converted van. I drove <DIV></DIV>>both engines before deciding on the Subaru. Originally I wanted an all <DIV></DIV>>German van, but even more I wanted more GO power. I drove both engines <DIV></DIV>>(also a 5 cyl Audi) before deciding on the Subaru. I wasn't at all <DIV></DIV>>impressed with the normally aspirated 2.0L Golf motor. I perceived little <DIV></DIV>>or no power increase over my wasserboxer. I was somewhat suprised and very <DIV></DIV>>impressed with the 2.2L Subaru, so chose the latter. <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>I still find the possibility of the 1.8T VW/Audi (turbo) engine very <DIV></DIV>>intriguing but I have a Westy and I understand this engine will not fit <DIV></DIV>>under the rear hatch without modification. <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>I'm very happy with the Subaru (although only just finished the conversion <DIV></DIV>>so not many test miles yet) Substantially more low end torque and <DIV></DIV>>acceleration. Can now climb long grades in 4th at 70mph. <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>I did the job myself, including the wiring, but would not do it again. The <DIV></DIV>>choice comes down to your wallet and the value of your free time to you and <DIV></DIV>>your family. I could afford to hire someone but wanted to do it myself for <DIV></DIV>>the experience. The wiring is a tedious but not difficult job. You can <DIV></DIV>>now hire it done by someone else (David Marshall at Fastforward now does <DIV></DIV>>the job). I would go for it. <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Also, in my opinion, the Subaru kit needs more development for Syncros. <DIV></DIV>>Although Kennedy engineering has a new shorter oilpan about ready for <DIV></DIV>>delivery, currently there is no solution in the KEP kit for re-installing <DIV></DIV>>the Syncro skid plate. Others are developing a solution which will probably <DIV></DIV>>be available in a month or so. <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Hope some of this info is helpful. You may also want to check out the <DIV></DIV>>registry portion of the site below for feedback from other Subaru <DIV></DIV>>converters with more miles than mine. <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>> http://www.cycoactive.com/urabus/ <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Another source of info is the SubaruVanagon list: <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>> http://www.egroups.com/group/subaruvanagon <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Good Luck <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Warren Chapman <DIV></DIV><br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p></html>
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