I currently own a 1986 2.1 Syncro but my last van was a 1980
air cooled.

I loved my air cooled van and it was not so much
underpowered as undercooled. It would easily get up to 70 or
75 mph on the highway, but if you stayed there long the
gauges were not happy. Often on a long trip my speed would
unconciously drift up (seems I check my cylinder and oil
temp gauges more than my speedometer) and I would find
myself haveing to pull over to cool down.

On hills forget it, you have to drop to third gear and put
the flashers on.

If you are more disciplined than I am you will probably get
by just fine, particularly if you install an aftermarket oil
cooler. But if you live someplace really hot, or have a very
heavy right foot be wary.

I didn't sell the 80 because it was slow, in a way that is
part of the appeal. I boght the syncro because I always
wanted 4WD. The 2.1L makes a huge difference though, I doubt
I could go back to air cooled after driving this.

Thanks,
Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2003 01:11:12 -0500
>From: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
>Subject: Power of a 2.0L Air cooled vs 2.1L???
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>I just wonder? The vanagon is bigger than the Bus, less
power than the 1.9
>or 2.1L, how is it???? driving a Vanagon air-cooled!
>
>I have my eyes on a 82, very nice, i wonder about how
powerful it will be
>compare to a 2.1L?????????????????????????
>
>Ben
>http://www.benplace.com/