Alot of questions...congrats on your crew cab.  Repowering with anything is
possible if you have the $.  Really though I'm pretty sure that you'd find
the 2.5 6 cyl out of a bimmer simlpy too long a motor.  The 2.0 4 cyl is
more likely, but why rebuild the wheel when there are complete kits to
install the 2.0 VW?   The Corvair is kind of a cool idea except that it's
probably lower on the refinement scale than the WBX, and it's air-cooled.
Don't think I'd want to take on that reengineering project.  Engine swaps
are big projects.  Unless you want your crew-cab to be off the road for a
year while you figure out how to install your favorite engine, stick with
one that's already been engineered for  you.

Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "DAN WILKIN" <msfandan@HOME.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2001 12:23 PM
Subject: engine swap question

> HI - I'm new to vanagons and the list. After years of searching I finally
> found what I have been looking for .......... a Vanagon crew cab. I have
> been following the list for the last couple of weeks and have observed a
lot
> of talk about engine swapping. Mine has some life left in it but I can see
> that within the next year or two I will have to re-power. It hasn't taken
> many miles to realise that the WBX motor is to say the least
"underpowered".
> Has any one ever tried a swap with a BMW engine? perhaps the 2.5 litre out
> of a 3 series? Or a 2 litre out of a 2002 (or 3 series)? In my early
stages
> of Vanagon ownership and observing the list, the Golf engine would seem
the
> most likely candidate. Volvo in a VW? Subaru in a German vehicle? Has
anyone
> ever tried a Corvair motor? Why do you keep the fuel injection system form
> the WBX when switching engines? ....................... Just a few
questions
> from a new guy ................. thanks for your time.
>
> Dan Wilkin
> Victoria BC
>