I agree with the 16V - lots of torque above 4400 RPM - who drives there.

But... have you seen the power graphs for the 1.8T - 155ft.lbs of torque at
1900 to 3200 RPM!?  Any that on the 'older' 150hp version!  That motor has
some serious pulling power!  The problem with these motors is you are
fighting off the Golf and Scirocco people for these motors and you have to
pay good coin to get one.

If I wasn't so much of a TDI nut, I would say the 1.8T is a great motor for
the Vanagon.

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
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Due to the large volume of email  we  receive,  PLEASE  include  previous
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Kim Brennan
Sent: December 14, 2003 9:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Post 1999 engine mounting kits are ready and lower pricing!

 > Although the idea has been raised (razed?) before, has anyone done a
2L
 > 16V I4 Vanagon conversion?
 > How about a 1.8T?

We just had a nice long discussion about VW detuning various engines
that they put into Eurovans. Detuning the engine to produce LESS
horsepower and MORE torque (at low rpms.)

The 16V I4's do exactly the reverse, and hence aren't good candidates
for the Vanagon.

The 1.8T's are still so new (relatively speaking) that they are
probably pretty expensive choices for the Vanagons. However, consider,
again, that all the vehicles that VW puts that engine in are small
light weight vehicles. And it's great for them. Doesn't mean that the
1.8T is a good choice for a Vanagon, unless someone has a custom ECU
chip that programs it for more torque in the low RPM range. And it
should be noted that Turbos, in general need a certain minimum RPM to
get the turbos up to speed and to really contribute power to the
equation.