Not stupid at all.  I've been thinking the same thing.  I have a
subaru in my 87 westy and thinking of a diesel or even hybrid setup
for my 84.  Here's one guy who's done one.

http://www.haywood-sullivan.com/vanagon/TDI/

Not sure about the 4cyl but anything is doable.  Depending on year, I
believe the 4cyl TDI's put out anywhere from 90 to 120 hp.  Much more
power than the stock vanagon diesel (48hp I believe)

Mike
On 17 Jul 2006 at 22:25, Jeff Palmer wrote:

> I'd love to sneak one in my 85 Westfalia.  Or a new 2.5 five
> cylinder.  How stupid is that?!?
>
> Jeff
>
> On 17-Jul-06, at 8:36 PM, Mike Miller wrote:
>
> > I had one. Pretty nice engine. Lots of power and great mileage.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> > On 7/17/06 5:36 PM, "Wil Haslup" <whaslup@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >
> >> I looked at a new Beetle diesel with the 1.8 TDI engine the other
> >> day.
> >>
> >> Is this a gas converted to diesel or a "ground up" diesel?
> >>
> >> They put this engine into the Jetta and Passat and I haven't seen
> >> any bad press on it.
> >>
> >> Anyone have any thoughts on it or how it compares to old school
> >> diesels in VWs?
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Wil
> >>
> >>
>