you can probably buy a 1.9NA from Quality German pretty easily. ( or at
least see some pictures of one )
the engine code is 1Y, btw.

though as mentioned, watch out for very rusty engines and vanagon
components from europe.

very similar to 1.6 NA , biggest difference is the block is about an
inch taller.
the real right way to do one in a vanagon is match the oval port DV
intake manfiold to the D shaped 1.9 intake ports with welding, porting,
resufacing .

< there is a version, was sold by eurospec ..with a 1.9 hydrualic head
on it, made in mexico ..but still having the oval intake ports on the
head, to make it more of direct a bolt-in. >

the 1.9NA is the most improvement in power, for the cost, with very
minor changes to the engine installation over stock 1.6 NA.
Goes a good 35 % better I'd say. Injection pump needs to be right of
course.
fuel milage about the same.

On 5/15/2013 1:01 PM, Jim Felder wrote:
> I just want to reiterate that I put a lot of miles on my 83 5-speed. I
> drive it in a state, mostly, with pretty patient people, mostly. It does
> OK, slowing down to 50 on all but the steepest hills, but people just go
> around. Nobody honks or flips me off. The car gets around just fine and is
> comfortable to drive. It gets good mileage and is easy to work on. I do all
> of my own work, 100%.
>
> If I were to go to a TD, which I have a couple of to rebuild with all the
> work already done, it would be to be able to run a Behr underdash air
> conditioner, not to go faster. Or a 1.9 NA, which I would like to get my
> hands on but have never even seen.
>
> Jim
>
>
> On Wed, May 15, 2013 at 2:42 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
>> yes..they are great vehciles..
>> the 82 just needs 'more' engine and a better-geared trans,
>> and the 83 only needs a better engine.
>>
>> common choices are
>> 1.6 TD,
>> 1.9 NA
>> 1.9TD .
>>   Either of the 1.9's are fine, the 1.6 TD is all right.
>>
>> They don't fit in our driving patterns at all really ..
>> on the unsafe sideeven.
>> when I first got mine ..
>> I think people just like to get near it ...like that felt cozy maybe .
>> even slowingdown for astop at the end of an off ramp ( where DV's are
>> just fine about being at about the same speed as other cars ) people
>> would be right on my butt.
>>   I think they wanted to be close to that brown van, like it was a teddy
>> bear.
>>
>> I have also noticed this ...
>> whole other subject ..
>> I have noticed some people, one gender more than the other.......
>> actually feel better driving closer to other cars.
>> Mostly the one gender wants to run their own race and zoom along
>> indepently ...in front of everyone if they can ..the other
>> gender.....with internal wiring that is a lot about nurturing close-in
>> things ....may actually 'feel better' when closer to other cars. I'm
>> quite sure of this factor ..though it is not recognized anywhere that I
>> know of.
>>
>> the navy also identifed that one gender with a natural built-in killer
>> instinct makes fine fighter jet pilots ..
>> their mindset is way out there...shoot that thing down 50 miles away.
>>   The other gender didn't really have that..
>> very good at close-in things like what's in the cockpit ..not so good at
>> 'way out in front' or killer instinct.
>>
>> Same in driving..
>> especially with a nice cute  brown cozy looking teddy bear of a van
>> ....going about an average of35 mph much of the time.They just want to
>> be close to it.
>> Doesn't happen with faster vans ...or lighter colored ones , or at least
>> not nearly as much.
>>
>> they just need decent power and gearing is all.
>> Most poorly marketed car ever sold ...besides maybe Yugo or AMC Pacer ...
>> people scooped up 82 DV's ..
>> found out how awful there were......
>> VW improved the 83 by a good 40 % with just the trans , but it was too
>> late by then .( in the US )
>> not many of those sold, compared to 82's.
>> they are such a great overall vehicle though ..
>> so we all keep them alive , all this time !
>>