I recently fired up my Motronic OBD1 ABA swap after it sat for more than a year.

My impressions after driving a fairly "ok" WBX:

It's buzzy (Fox NON hydraulic mounts), but, it runs fine. It felt good
to zoom around with it on a day permit.

It also sailed through emissions. Image of test results:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8IEs651XT1E/UPoQRu_I99I/AAAAAAAAGoA/dEJtVKDcYyc/s900/Air%2520Care%2520Jaco.jpg

It's not perfect, but overall, it's been very reliable. I mess with
things, partially in an attempt to do some R&D for the 15� swap, but
up until the primary pipes I built finally cracked, it was running
great. If I had kept the exhaust as-was and just welded up the pipes
it likely would have been ok for some time. But. I wanted to build a
new carrier, install Audi 5000 mounts, redesign the exhaust so.... got
the exhaust redone anyway. Then I discovered the mice...   "Houston.
The dash is off!"   image:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zz0J31XXPC4/UPw5UhpIo7I/AAAAAAAAGpc/-6dZIfjuR1M/s720/air%2520outlet.jpg

Anyhow.....

Ya it's a little buzzy, but it has never left me stranded, gets good
fuel efficiency, and has lower emissions than the air cooled that was
in there.

Just sayin', not dissing any other swap!

Neil.

On Sun, Jan 20, 2013 at 9:34 AM, george jannini <georgejoann@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> let's hear about your jetta conversion.. <<
>
>   There is not much, really, to brag about, just minor things.  Like I
> don't worry about  cylinder heads exploding, or doing frequent water pump
> changes miles from home (twice!) or NLA boxer bits.  The engine can pull a
> hill at 5,000 rpm if it has to, and driven conservatively, one should
> expect to get 20 mpg overall.  My best mileage figger was 24 something on
> rural 2 lane at 55 mph.
>
>   The engine is a nearly stock ABA 2 liter block and 1.8 liter head, with
> Digifant brain.  Advertised numbers are 115 hp @ 5400 rpm and 122 lb/ft
> maximum torque @ 3200 rpm.  The peak figures aren't all that different than
> for a 2.1 liter boxer - 90hp and 117lb/ft tops    Gearing is stock, tires
> slightly oversize 195/14, plain ol' steel wheels.
>
>      Engine mounting angle is stock VW and it's "floating" on Mercedes 190
> motor mounts, an extra expense which didn't really change vibration much,
> if I remember correctly.  He'll buzz and thrash pretty good pulling high
> RPMs, (a fair amount of intake noise also) but from idle to way past 4,000
> rpm, noise and vibration aren't a bother, although after 12 years I can
> still recall WBX smoooth.
>
> Geo/ATL

-- 
Neil n

65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp

'88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines