Very intersting idea.
I am looking at all options when its time to replace my engine in my 89 Wolfie. I read about inline fours, subaru conversions and others on this list. I like the WBX it has served me well. It now has 180K on origional engine, with heads never been done. It is getting tired and leaks coolant at about a quart a week. I am hoping it will make it thru the winter but who knows.  

Ken
89 Wolfie
89 BMW 525

----- Original Message -----
From: Daryl Christensen
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 9:37 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: I added a Turbo to improve air flow...

Boston Bob is gonna yell at me...but to heck with him :),
Mind you I am not a died in the wool hot rodder with any performance
experience...just a retired VW mechanic with a new toy so any suggestions
are appreciated. Trannys I do know, Performance tweaks & engineering I
don't.

I just put an old Subaru 1.8 Turbo on my 2.1 Syncro Westy with taller 3rd &
4th gears in the trans. Got big valve heads, good rods and a cam with more
exh lift from Bob during the rebuild and so far thats it...got ratio rockers
to try later. Put a few hundred miles on it to break her in before I
actually hooked up the turbo. I run it at 4 psi of boost and that seems
perfect to drive with a bit of extra power when needed and not so much that
I am worried about tearing it up soon. Granted there is always a longevity
downside to more power. No appreciable turbo lag or whine.
I will add an aditional injector setup (splitsec.com) to keep it from
running too lean over 2 psi of boost and that is in the works. Got a LED O2
mixture indicator from listee Ken Lewis...works slick so far as an indicator
and small enough to be unobtrusive.
Makes it more fun to drive without the downshifting normal with the 5000
plus Lb.vehicle (even with the tall gears).
Daryl of AA Transaxle
Duvall, WA. (Seattle area)
1-877-377-0773 toll free
425-788-4070
aatransaxle.com