On Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:02:09 -0800, "Zeitgeist" <gruengeist@GMAIL.COM> said:

> I think the point being that VW should've used the introduction of the T3 to
> turn over a new leaf and leave the flat engine configuration behind for
> good.  They had a host of robust 4 and 5 cyl engines in '79, so it just
> seems silly that they bothered to start with the carry-over 2.0L AC from the
> '79 Bay window bus.  Despite all the bashing it gets on this list, the WBX
> is a good engine, that can typically provide a long service life...but, it
> was old-tech engineering that was outdated even when it was introduced.  The
> Audi 2.3L gasser and 2.0L turbodiesel fivers were a perfect match, though
> they should've opted for a distributor-less design in the former to avoid
> engine lid issues.
>
> Oh, if only I ran the world...

As I recall from prior discussions of this topic, there was a political consideration as well: by inventing the WBX they could keep employed a lot of the workers who used to build the air-cooled version of the engine.  This kept the unions from getting grumpy about layoffs.

Allan
--
1991 Vanagon GL