question:  what would i take to put a WC (1.8L RV jetta, digi I) engine
into my 82 Westy

was doing a project that at this point was primarily educational.  A
lot of hands on was also done as i had a proposed donor (getting ready
for the salvage yard) on hand to do a lot of work on.  this included
doing everything for an engine pull just short of actually pulling the
engine out of the donor.  completely dissecting the wiring harness to
isolate only the wiring needed to actually run the engine with computer
  and all sensors and test run it.  On my 82 westy dropping under
plating and spares etc.
thanks to the many that posted answers and sources of info to many of
my questions

this has been done on WC vanagons. (including at least one with the
same engine)
digi 1 in the donor is basically the same as on WC vanagons

step one
convert van to WC
can be done, but after reviewing flow dynamics with other
tuner/modifications people it would require either a much enlarged hole
in the front of the AC vanagon or massive fans or a custom designed
radiator system
all other plumbing would be fairly straight forward.
estimated 10 to 12 hours for fabricating and installing.

electrical-the digi 1 wiring harness and coil would be complete from
the donor engine.  only proper grounds and 12V would be needed.  some
idiot light change overs could  be done but not really needed as all of
my current  gauges would do the same job.  a water temp would  need to
be added.  1 to 2 hours
noted that i could actually leave all wiring associated with the AC
engine in place wrapped up in case i needed to put the original engine
back in.

Engine hole.  would have to be  modified or headers from a less
efficient WC engine would have to be used.  minor time or major time
depending on how  often you had to lift and lower  and modify and then
reraise the engine.

exhaust.  would have to be custom setup
time there would also be dependant on the tight tolerances  for making
it fit right.

fuel pump-stock pump is actually capable of the slightly higher
pressures needed.
since already injected fuel plumbing is in place.

kennedy adaptor set would work  for  mating to tranny

custom engine support bar needed
overflow bottle support needed
air box support needed and  possibly new hosing setup
custom  oil pan with modified oil pick up tube
new vacuum line to brake  system  connection needed.

end conclusion is that it is a  workable project but it would be far
better to start with a WC vanagon and buy a kit.  Relating to vanagon
engine mods in general when i ran up the costs for  using a donor
engine versus buying a kit, the savings were not very good.  the  costs
involved with trying to  configure a new header system were significant.
jimt