Don,

The price on the ABA is just too tasty! as you may know, my preference in 2.0L blocks is for the Audi 3A in that the block height is the same as the Digifant engines (your ABA is 16 mm taller), has all the bottom end goodies, but adds a higher flow head, better exhaust and the intake and sparks are readily converted to the Digifant standard. Good luck and don't forget to use a hydraulic press on the engine cover!

Frank Grunthaner

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Sat, Jun 5, 2010 9:01 pm
Subject: A new project..inline 4 VW van

  I have a good running 84 van with a 92 Jetta/Golf/Rabbit 1.8 liter motor.

It's mounted using diesel vanagon parts (the same block) and I am running a

5sp manual tranny.  This has been a great set-up for me so far. (3yrs and

appx 50k miles for me, bought it as is..)

  Today I bought a second motor, a 2.0 liter ABA Jetta motor..a 94 with 125k

miles on it, complete for $100 off Craigs list.  They usually go for around

$250-$400.

  My planned project is to pull the 1.8 liter and swap on the bottom end of

the 2 liter motor.  The 2.0 liter ABA is supposed to put out about 25 more

ponies and I am told they are better designed for lower RPM running with a

forged crank and some under the piston oil squirters.

  I'll take some pics as I go.  Should be able to do it in a day, once I get

my aftermarket distributor clamp in the mail.  The reason for swapping on my

1.8 liter head is the 2.0 liter has a 'cross flow' intake, which wouldn't

fit under the decklid...but the 1.8 top end bolts right on, and my current

head has a nice aftermarket cam already.

  Very inexpensive way to power a Vanagon.   I've been shopping the inline

motors, mainly just for fun as my current one is still running fine, but

when I saw the $100 complete motor...Hadda buy it.  I can re-sell the head,

the water pump, the alternator, the distzy, etc and actually make money on

my swap while getting some extra HP...Shoot, I have to pay almost that much

to fill up my F-250 Ford diesel pickup every time I get fuel..

  That is the plan anyhow.

  Don Hanson