"\Simply put the Vanagon in it's original form is poorly powered. Sure it'll
go 70 or 80. Until you reach the first uphill. That's when 90hp shows it's
real lack of umph."

Amen,  Yet my 86 Westfalia Weekender feels peepy compared to my older 81 (67 hp) air-cooled full westy!

Even with a Subaru conversion, these vans are still not as powerful as modern vans.  My 2002 Odyssey has 240 Hp and 5-speed (Auto).   The newer Odysseys have 255 Hp!

BTW.  - why do people mention bigger brakes are necessary after a conversion?  if you don't drive at a higher speed than you did before the conversion, you don;t need bigger brakes.    Hell, VW did not put bigger brakes in Westy's vs passenger vans, even though most of the time a Westy will be carrying more weight.

Bigger brakes makes sense, but they don't become necessary because your van acceerates faster.

Now tranny and CV's are affected by acceleration, or the total load put on them.

Someday, I hope to have a Sunaru or Zetec or wat ever great idea someone comes up with.   Subaru is releasing a flat four diesel to get market share in the European countries where diesel is cheaper than gas and therefore more popular .

JR