Yes the Jetta engines go in just fine.  The best way is using diesel
vanagon parts for the motor mounts, etc.  They fit under the deck just like
a diesel motor did...the blocks are the same for the gas and diesels up till
about '95.  I have a '92 1.8liter  in my '84 van and like it a lot.
Digifant EMS, which I think is less trouble than CIS (your 87 is probably
CIS?) and uses many of the very same parts as a WBX engine.

  I am told the 2.0liter ABA Jetta motor ('92>) has more torque, though the
1.8 liter is plenty powerful.  If you use an ABA you will probably want the
head off a 1.8 liter because the intake is positioned better to fit the
engine compartment of the vanagon.

  I guess the inline Jetta, Rabbit, Golf swap may be the most cost-effective
way to re-power a Vanagon..You can get a used motor for $300.  If you want
big horsepower...get a 2 liter Jetta and bolt on a $3k
("complete") supercharger kit.  Said to deliver about 180hp.  Highly spoken
of by all the Import Tuner crowd as a very dependable aftermarket
modification and CARB legal too...I think..That Jetta motor is a favorite of
the Tuner guys and there are all kinds of cheap aftermarket parts out there.

  Don Hanson

On Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 8:25 AM, Woody Halsey <WHalsey@sya.org> wrote:

> I have been thinking the same thing and wondering if the gas engine from
> my 1987 Jetta would work in a Vanagon... (Oh, how I regret letting my
> diesel Jetta go ...)
>
> In general, are there any Jetta parts that fit into a V'gon of similar
> vintage??
>
> Woody
> 83.5 V'gon
> Haverhill, MA
>
>
> W. W. HALSEY II
> President
> Mobile  978.204.5795   Office  978.725.6828 ext.115   www.sya.org
> <http://www.sya.org/>
> 439 South Union Street, Lawrence, MA 01843
> SCHOOL YEAR ABROAD
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Jeff Michal
> Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2009 11:07 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Conversion?
>
> Hi everyone.  I'm rolling around the idea of switching my engine out.  I
> have a 90 GL that I am extremely attached to.  Its got about 135k on it,
> and
> I'm starting to see various end of life type problems with it.  I'm
> wondering if anyone has any recommendations about changing engines.  I
> know
> some of you have done this several times over, probably with more than
> one
> type of engine and more than one van.
>
> I've looked at the diesels, the ej25, the tiico, and the 3.2 porsche
> engine.
>
> The subaru EJ25 engine seems to be the best. I am saying that because it
> makes plenty of power and isnt going to be more than the gearbox can
> handle.
>
> The diesels are not practical in my region because a relatively low
> percentage of the gas stations have it.
>
> The porsche engine is rediculously expensive.
>
> And that leaves the Tiico.  I dont know that this is such a bad idea and
> it
> appears to be the easiest of the conversions, plus the engine will be
> brand
> new.
>
> I recognize that by the time I am done with any conversion, I could
> easily
> buy a new vehicle.  I just don't want to give up the cab forward narrow
> gauge vehicle that I love.
>
> I know that things like brakes, suspension & steering components, drive
> line
> components, and paint/bodywork should be addressed during the process to
> ensure long term safety and reliability.
>
> I'm interested in making the van drive a bit better.  I'm considering
> cutting the ride height by as much as 2 or 3 inches, and I'm after 4
> wheel
> disk brakes and 15 inch wheels.
>
> All that leaves me with is questions.
>
> What opinions do you have about the various options for engine
> replacement?
> Are any of these choices better than buying an ecu and a rebuilt engine?
>
> What sort of upgrades are available for the suspension?
>
> Are there any other hard to get to things I should sort out while I have
> the
> engine out?
>  I'm considering having all the piping replaced with stainless steel, I
> know some good steamfitters that will sort it it out for me all perfect
> like.  Is this a dumb idea? Should I just get new plastic stuff?
>  I'm going to work over the fuel delivery system and get rid of that
> aweful
> plastic firewall penetration.
>  I'm going to have the body straightened, seam rust sorted out, and new
> paint laid down.
>  I'm going to put all new rubber around for all the windows and
> whatnot.
>
> I appreciate any opinions that you can offer.
>
> Jeff
> 90GL
>