On Monday, November 4, 2002, at 06:46 PM, Brian T. wrote:

> I have been poking around for future motors for my 85'
> Westy and am really curious why nobody is using the
> VR6 engine as a transplant.
>
> If anyone could enlighten me on why this might be
> would be great.

I couple of folks (in Europe and not on this list, as far as I know)
have stuffed a VR6 into the Vanagon.

The issue is one of height. Basically, with an inline 4 cylinder to get
the engine under the normal deck, you have to tilt it over at 50
degrees. If you don't (standard tilt is 15 degrees), you have to raise
the engine lid height. This was what they did in South Africa.

Tilting the VR6 isn't going to make a difference. You have to raise the
lid.

And with that said, you don't HAVE to raise the engine lid on the
Transporters...only Westys and Passenger Vanagons. The Transporters
(i.e. those with the pick up bed) already have a raised deck.