I have 3 Vanagons. One still has the original waterboxer engine in it.
The tiico engine has a higher RPM range than the waterboxer which gives
me a decided advantage in the mountains where I can run the engine at
5000 or 6000 rpms and not be concerned. Do that in your waterboxer and
you'll be rebuilding it (if it is salvagable) pretty soon.

The waterboxer is nice and compact and has good torque in low rpms
(better than the tiico), but the inline 4 gives you a broader range of
rpms at which to operate...this means you can use a lower gear.

For instance I was driving in 2nd on my Syncro...at 40mph in the Tiico.
Going up hill. No problems no heating issues. In my Westy camper
(standard waterboxer engine) Going up hill at 30mph in 2nd overheated
the engine.

In addition because of that broader range of rpms, when I >DO< shift
gears, I drop down to 3000 rpms (and can still accelerate) instead of
2000 rpms.

Now you'll argue that my two vehicles are completely comparable. I will
argue that I've done the EXACT same roads with the EXACT same vehicle
where only the engine changed. And guess what. The Tiico was nicer. And
no vibrations.

And I will be doing my service and not selling the vehicles. Others may
feel similarly.

Stop being a troll.

> you are a die hard. and probably dont really notice the vibration on
> your
> ass, because it is so numb. I am sure that your van is less than pure
> and
> probably drives like a botch job. BUT you have owned it so long you
> dont notice it.
> If you were to re-drive a real Vanagon then I am sure you would see
> where I am