Forget the VR6 in the Vanagon unless you have a LOT of time and a LOT of
money - you have to do some fancy fabrication and make a new thermostat
housing and figure out what to do with the ignition coil pack - on a Syncro
there ISN'T any room in this area due to the fuel tank being in the way.
These engines are also very HEAVY as well - want to go fast - install a 1.8L
Turbo motor in there - fits as good as any of the 'standard' I4 engines.
Wiring for the VR6 is about as 'hard' as any Motronic I4 or the TDI or the
1.8T - takes me about 6 to 8 hours to do the whole harness.

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3

http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160

- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Kim Brennan
Sent: November 9, 2002 6:56 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: engine swaps... VR6

On Wednesday, November 6, 2002, at 01:05 PM, Ben T wrote:

> Keep in mind that they will fit where most VW inline 4's can fit. That
> is why
> they were designed to be so narrow. The mounting holes appear to be
> exactly
> as the inline-4 engines. The only problem I can see in the Vanagon
> application is the angle of installation. Because the VR6 is wider on
> top
> unlike an 8-valve I-4, tilting does not gain you anything to clear a
> stock
> Vanagon deck. I was considering it for my Syncro double cab which has
> plenty
> of vertical room.

Hey, Ben, do you think the "standard" I-4 engine brackets (for the
Vanagon) can be used on the VR6?

I figure the VR6s have been around long enough that they should be
available in my local junkyard for reasonable prices. Of course, the
wiring is another issue. But, yeah, I'm considering putting a VR6 in to
my TriStar (doublecab) as well.