re your last line there.........
then that means you'll have to do a 50 degree install.
it's doable.
I think what you want to know is 'how can I do it without endless custom
fabrication
or getting into an unsolvable corner' .............something like that.

you know about that conversion shop that does 1.8T Passat type vw engines in
vanagons ?
Sacramento, Ca area. Forget their name right now.
I think their conversions are upright though, not 50 degree.

there are a lot of advantages to keeping the engine at about 15 degrees like
it was in the car it came from.
Quite a lot.
I haven't done an upright conversion, but I'd like to do one, just to see
how good I could get it, how low I could get it, and how much I could leave
the oil and oil pick-up, turbo installation, etc. alone.
Some people use 'other' turbo exhaust manifolds and an adapter so they can
get the turbo higher........especially for a 50 degree install.
It's very doable.
I'd do one.   Not the most 'drop in' engine conversion, but they have been
done, and are very doable. It's just one system at a time.

"not a torque monster' ...........hmm. Turbo gas engines are fun.  I'd
expect it to scoot pretty well.  Just not at 1,500 rpm.
All the issues are solvable.
I get his last name not quite right all the time ............Frank
Garunther..........( last name is very close to that )
he's done a audi turbo engine ............at 50 degees I think. He's a real
engineer/nut ........
takes an engineering approach like you wouldn't believe.
He has even done in flight video inside a diesel oil pan testing baffle
configurations and what the oil does, and stuff like that. I think he is
actually an engineer too.
google him.
he's way into it, and I am certain he has done an Audi gas turbo engine in
vanagon.
Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "TJ Hemrick" <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 4:38 PM
Subject: Audi Turbo motor swap

> No, I'm not trying to start another flame war.  Seriously, I've searched
> the
> web on and off over the past few months for people who had actually
> swapped
> an Audi 1.8T motor into the ol' Vanagon but haven't stumbled into anything
> definitive.   Not that any of mine are actually running right now, but
> that's beside the point!  I've seen pleny of other swaps and yes the Zetec
> is the coolest gas conversion going but I've got access to a very low mile
> 1.8t engine with harness.  Yes, I know it's not really a torque monster of
> a
> motor but I'm really looking into how difficult it's going to be with the
> orientation of the turbo (oil lines and all), intakes and of course I'm
> sure
> we could start a side war on the mounting angle issue.  As for me, (with
> all
> due respect to my trusted source in the great white north - aka David
> Marshall) I'm NOT modding my deck lid come hell or high water.
>
> Thanks,
>
> TJ