Hey all,

Some of you know me from way back when and I pipe
up from time to time.  But that is irrelevant.

For some time now I've been pondering an engine
replacement as my 1990/91 Westy approaches 200,000
miles.  I've read good things about the Subaru and
good things about the TDI and other diesel trans-
plants.  Ideally my preference would be some kind
of hybrid with an automatic transmission but I
think, at best, that that is out of the question
and financially un-reachable.  And wouldn't I
like to have an SVX or Porsche 6 cylinder pushing
my box at 80+ mph down the interstate and watch
my travel times shorten substantially.

But yesterday, I spoke with one of the California
Smog BAR representatives that was their most
experienced gurus on engine replacement.  I was
pleasantly suprised to hear from him that California
did indeed allow for diesel conversions still as
long as it was a newer engine for light class trucks
or cars.  Now this is still a bit premature for me
to celebrate, but it sure sounds promising.  He gave
me a number for a referee to discuss specifics if
and when I needed to.

So what I'm getting at here is that I feel that I'm
going to be able to do this transplant and not get
dinged by the referee when I go to get an inspection.
This is very contrary from what I've been reading
about on this list about diesels in Calfornia.  Has
anyone on the list actually done a recent conversion
in CA and survived the smog inquisition?

Now beyond that, I'd really like to have a TDI trans-
plant with an automatic transmission.  Traffic is
just getting too annoying with a standard tranny and
I'd really like to give my left calf and foot a break.

I know there was some discussion about this a few
moons ago and that there was some expensive gear
that had to be installed to make up for the difference
in the ratios.  Was there a group purchase?  Has
there been any successful completed projects with
automatic transmissions mated to a diesel TDI?

Thanks for letting me ramble...

Steven

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