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Subject:Considering I4 swap: 1.8 89 Golf vs. 1.8 VW Fox (90?)
From:M.R. Nimmo
Date:Fri, 27 Jul 2001 09:15:50 -0700

Haven't sold my 84 Vanagon, and really don't want to.
I'm playing around with the idea of selling my other
ride (the reliable Toyota van-- I must be nuts) and
finishing the restoration of my vanagon.  I do love my
vanagon.

Found a rusty diesel vanagon complete that can be had
for a nice price, but still considering buying the
conversion kit from Fastforward.  Found two 1.8's, a
Golf 88 or 89 and a VW Fox, same vintage I believe.
My mechanic really, Really, REALLY doesn't want to
switch over the FI, and wants to bolt on a Weber 32/36
or the Solex 34/5 kit (shows rabbit, golf, but not
"crossflow" head, whatever that is) assuming they fit.
 (It will be cheaper than the ECU for the 1.8's
anyway, right?)  The mechanics cheap and I trust him
with my life or wife, but FI is not his thing.  And
there's no other option anyway.

Please don't lecture me on "Mother Earth" and I know
FI will give better driveability, mileage, and power.
I'm looking for cheap and reliable.  As for Mother
Earth, I give at the office by keeping these old heaps
for a longgggggggg time.  My 3 cars are all over 150k
miles.

Any thoughts on this conversion?  Those 1.8's bolt up
ok to the diesel/Fastforward kit?  Proper oil pan?
Will the carbs bolt up to that head?  (I know I will
have to modify the engine cover.)

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