Also look into an inline 4 vw motor.  Many of them in Vanagons and nobody
seems to complain much about them breaking or anything.  You could get the
motor in the junkyard in Mazatlan for $p 3000 or so.  Takes an adaptor plate
and some deisel Vanagon parts, often available on The Samba.  Very drivable
and easy to work on or have worked on.  Everybody can fix a Rabbit motor,
right?
  Don Hanson

On Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 12:00 PM, Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@gmail.com> wrote:

> Don't exclude the Bostig Zetec (Ford) engine. It's basically the racing
> Cosworth, dual overhead cam, 16 valve engine. Good torque and HP and is
> VERY
> tuneable with the Bostig Kit. Jim Akiba and Brady Horrace are the guys at
> Bostig. Great product, and excellent support during and afterwards. The
> motors are probably the most available engines in the world, and so are
> inexpensive to get/replace.
> I have a Subaru 2.2 ('90) rebuild that cost me about $4K plus another $3K
> for all the rest (harness, I had no core for the motor, exhaust and other
> conversion parts that I got from Mastercraft that included Small Car SS
> exhaust header/entire SS system, shortened oil pan, KEP adapter and intake
> system). So mine was right at $7K. Been well worth it despite some "sorting
> out" that seems to be average. Very reliable conversion but the Bostig
> Zetec
> is also, and quite a bit simpler. It has very convenient diagnostic system
> properties that do not come with the Subaru, unless the Vanaru "kit" does
> (Subie conversion outfit and very good, reliable, thorough). Hans is "the
> guy" there. Tom Shiels did my harness and he's outstanding to work with. I
> still talk by phone with him on issues having to do with the Subaru
> conversions but nothing to do with the harness he provided. Very helpful
> and
> kind.
>
> Bob Stevens
> Salt Lake City
> '87 Syncro Westy
>
>
> >
>