I'm not saying it is impossible - it is quite possible - just that I have
'been there and done that, got the t-shirt and now that the film is
developed I'm not going on that vacation again'  It is just a clearance and
weight issue - if you don't mind cutting up your van / truck then the VR6
will work out for you.  The 1992 VR6 did have a distributor, but it sticks
out of the side of the head like the 16V do - I'd rather deal with coil pack
to tell you the truth! :)  The 1.8T can make just as much power as the VR6
and it weighs about 60% as much.

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: Kim Brennan [mailto:kimbrennan@mac.com]
Sent: November 9, 2002 9:52 PM
To: vanagon@volkswagen.org
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: engine swaps... VR6

On Sunday, November 10, 2002, at 12:24 AM, David Marshall wrote:

> 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.

Money I have. Time I can make. As to the "ignition coil pack"...not all
VR6 engines used it (it was introduced in 93, prior to that they used
distributers.)