I received the Van as a gift.  I don't know much of anything about
Vanagons, diesel or otherwise--which is why I'm hoping to sell it to
someone who does.  The only information I have about the conversion is
what I'm hearing from the guy who did it, Scott Daniel of Turbovans.  I
asked him about the injection pump, he replies:

        See my post on the diesel vanaogn email group about that...
        It's a real mechanical tdi injection pump from France.

The van is, indeed, more sluggish than I would expect from a 1.9L with a
turbo.  I can hear the turbo going when the pressure is over about 5
psi.  But the power is... well, it's exactly what I would (naively) have
expected from a Vanagon.  65-70mph tops on the highway, 55-60mph
uphill.  The steep grades in SF are strictly second-gear.

But it's been extremely mechanically solid--starts clean every time,
runs strong.  I encourage anybody who's interested in it to come take a
ride.

-bmc

BenT Syncro wrote:

>On 8/30/05, Gary Lee, Vanagon Racks <gary2a@telus.net> wrote:
>
>Is this engine/pump/turbo combination still considered a TDI?
>I wouldn't consder it so.
>
>Gary
> You are absolutely correct, Gary. It is indeed just a TD. The seller seems
>to genuinely not know much about the conversion. Unfortunately, most people
>only see the letters TDI and not that is only based on that engine. However,
>even for a 1.9TD the engine felt anemic compared to the one I have in my
>Syncro. Granted I have the smaller turbo which should theoretically give
>faster response. The engine on this van lacked even top end power. I meant
>should clarify my statement that it felt like it was in limp mode and not
>that it was.
>
>
>