Mark,

Swapping an automatic to a manual will net you a little better gas mileage
and may make the van a little quicker off a stop.  On the flip side it is
impossible to over-rev an engine with the automatic (unless you shift
manually) and the Vanagon automatics are rumored to be extremely dependable.

I've done a "partial-Lilley" with my '85.  To date I've installed a K&N air
filter, Bosch Platinium +4's, polished the throttle body, and replaced the
exhaust system with ceramic coated stock pipes connected to a Dynamax
Turbomax muffler.  The muffler and cat will get heat shields soon.  All this
has improved the traffic manners greatly and the power sems to come more
smoothly.  Big difference?  Still doesn't slam me back in my seat but I get
around better.

Make sure your engine is very solid before you start messing with it.  Adding
performance parts to a tired engine will get you a dead engine real quick.
Also make sure all the vacuum hoses and sensors are in perfect condition or
you just won't get maximium benefit from what you add.

My next phase will be an MSD coil and plug wires.  I'm still looking at the
MSD 6A (a friend gave me one) -- I'm concerned about the number of wires
coming off the coil -- is it possible for the MSD to mess with my ECU?  I
just don't know and would rather not burn up an ECU to find out (Jay has one
installed on his 'mid-'80's Volvo with a Bosch L-Jetronic similar to VW's
Digijet).  After I go through the instructions again, if I'm still concerned
I'll contact MSD and see what they say.

Beyond that I plan on installing a set of 1.25:1 ratio rockers or, if the
heads start to leak first, a set of Boston Bob's improved heads - improved
ports and multi-angle valve jobs.  New heads will, of course, go to Swain
Tech for the Lilley treatment.

Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy -- 'Roland'

In a message dated 1/4/01 11:28:21 PM, radish150@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

<< Hi all. Anyone know how difficult this swap is? What is the general
opinion of these auto transmissions? Do they really suck gas and power
compared to the 4sp?

Also, was wondering if there was an accepted hierarchy of bolt on stuff that
will increase the power in a 1.9 auto rig? Some of the things I was thinking
about was header and freeflow
exhaust, MDS type ignition, KN filter stuff, does this stuff make a big
difference? Any other tricks?

Thanks
Mark... >>