that all makes sense then.
for an inline 4 ..the DZ/DK bell housing face is the 'right' or better
fore-aft engine location, for access the timing belt end especially.

what I did once for a 5 speed, which is longer ..
where that plate bolts to the frame with 4 bolts, is ....
  cut out the aft two bolt holes including some frame there..
welded/bolted in an2 inch angle iron for 2 new forward bolt holes...
put a hump in the firewall ahead of and above trans.,
lot of work , but came out just right . Kept the proper 82 DV engine
location that way.

On 4/15/2013 6:51 PM, neil n wrote:
>>> On Mon, Apr 15, 2013 at 12:16 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>>> https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/WBXTransmissionInto81VanagonWasAirCooled#
>>>>
>>>> I installed a WBX transmission so chose to modify the mount to keep
>>>> the engine in the same position as it was with the air cooled
>>>> transmission.
>
> This Jetta engine swap was installed to the OEM air cooled
> transmission which as you know, put the engine about 2" further
> forward. Some time after the swap was done, I installed a WBX
> transmission.
>
> I could have moved the engine but chose to modify the mount. This
> gives room to get at the crank pulley bolts which in turn makes the
> timing belt change easier.
>
> True the muffler ends up close to the apron but so far, this has not
> been an issue.
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 15, 2013 at 5:50 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans
> <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm curious why the front trans mount was modified,
>> not that that's not a good thing sometimes.
>>
>> Not sure why your front trans mnt is modified though.
>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
>
> '88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
>
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> Vanagon VAG Gas inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej
>