I would hazard a guess that if one were to look into the Suby/Vanagon
or Tiico swap history, there might be indicators as to why  there
isn't as much talk

I'm thinking that it takes time for a conversion to "catch on" (for
lack of a better term). With more end users, more talk.

It does look like a sweet conversion though --- :^)

Just a thought.....

Neil.

On 3/3/08, Peter Young <pyjme@aol.com> wrote:
> All of this talk about engine conversion options - Tiico, Jetta engines,
> inline 4's, Subaru engines - yet no one ever talks about the Bostig
> conversion! I currently own a
> 1981 westy, but I hope in the future to either: go Neil's route and convert
> it to water cooled OR buy a water cooled van and convert it into a camper
> (using the 81' guts -
> I love the faux wood grain!). Either way, I want to drop in the Bostig
> conversion because I like the Zetec engine and the fact that their kit comes
> as a turnkey motor with mounts and all of the appropriate conversion parts
> (which is really only one engine/tranny mating part), and I currently own a
> 2001 Ford Focus wagon with the same engine. The Focus has really
> demonstrated the reliability and power of this engine. I have only had to
> get it worked on once for a bad exhaust sensor, and it only cost me $150.
> Besides that, just change the oil regularly and I haven't had to think about
> that car running. The Bostig conversion gives you that same reliability in
> your vanagon (who doesn't want that!), 130hp that doesn't require any engine
> compartment mods, and actually improves ground clearance in the rear (if you
> pay a little more for the shortened oil pan). In addition to all of this,
> the engine tune is selectable between octanes and can be set for an economy
> mode to improve gas mileage. For a price there are also super chargers
> available if you want, though they just make a vanagon ridiculously,
> obscenely more powerfully than anyone really needs (up to 195hp).
>
> What's the downside? It is an expensive conversion initially. The kit is
> $8775, then add $225 for the shortened oil pan. If you want the super
> charger it's another $2950. THe ECU reprogrammer to change tunes comes
> included with the engine. While expensive, it doesn't seem that bad when
> compared to the other kits where you may have to refurbish the donor engine
> before installing it, fabricate mounts, buy extra proprietary conversion
> parts, etc. etc...?? The Bostig conversion is just a simple drop in,
> requiring you to only hook up the coolant lines, fuel line (the fuel return
> line is eliminated - another bonus!), 7 wires, and a couple other small
> things. That's it. Bostig says just about any automotive shop can do the
> conversion in 10 hours, and that anyone with only a little knowledge could
> do it in about 15 hours. Personally, it would probably take me longer than
> that but than I am not the brightest weekend mechanic in the world by far
> (just look at my previous posts!). Another thing to consider is that after
> the initial investment, your maintenance costs are going to be almost nil -
> this is probably a case where you really do get what you pay for. Here are
> the links to the Bostig site and a YouTube video of their super charged test
> van in action:
>
> http://bostig.com/products/zetec/
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B9_FeHKlXE
>
> All of the proceeding rant is, of course, just my opinion based on what I
> have heard about other conversions and info from online. I haven't actually
> seen a Bostig van in person. I would be interested to hear if anyone out
> there has the Bostig conversion - is it really all they say it is?
>
--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/