Hey Don,

I raise one objection with your post:

"going the way you've chosen is  significantly easier and
less expensive than a Ford or Subarau conversion"

I'll give you the possibility that it's less expensive (it can also be
more, depends on the project manager ie owner) It is *certainly not*
significantly easier, it is much more difficult. Having watched the
progress of you and Neil over the years, and having plenty of
experience with our own conversions I can say this with absolute
certainty, and I stake my livelihood and reputation on it every day.

My point is NOT to start a pissing contest, it is to prevent the
spread of mis-information, which is ironically one of the things that
can make such projects troublesome since authoritative sources on
one-offs don't exist until after they've been completed.

I respect your expertise and experience, but I object to that one
statement wholeheartedly based on my experience and expertise.

Jim Akiba

On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 8:02 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
>   Post your question over here, too...
>
> vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
> @googlegroups.com
>
>   I don't think there is an actual comprehensive 'how to' site or blog,
> though there are a lot of informational write ups dispersed throughout the
> Net.   The VW Vortex site is a useful one that gets overlooked in a Google
> search sometimes...
>
>  The inline conversions can be quite simple...or a bit more complicated if
> you choose a later engine and change over your engine management
> system...   Still, going the way you've chosen is  significantly easier and
> less expensive than a Ford or Subarau conversion......  If you use an early
> 90s inline you can even keep most of your current engine managment and
> intake stuff, plus all the instruments plug right in, etc etc... The 1.8l
> gas inline, the most common choice,  is mostly a matter of bolting stuff
> in...it is pretty straightforward and has been done literally thousands of
> times....especially by people who've gotten sick of their diesel VW
> motors...
>
>   It's strange that the inline VW conversion isn't more popular.   It's
> not the "Trendy" popular conversion that the Subarus are, but it's do-able
> for thousands less.....  I think maybe the  original Tiico conversions and
> their associated bad reputation for vibration may have rubbed-off on all
> the inline conversions.  Nobody I know that runs the non-Tiico inline has
> any complaints of vibration..
>
>    I ran the 1.8 liter Rabbit/Cabriolet/Jetta motor in my 84 non-popup with
> a westie interior for about two years.   If your main reason to convert is
> more power, the 1.8 liter  (usually from a Rabbit)  motor is only a little
> power improvement over the WBX,  but they are simple and dependable and
> very cheap...  If you want a bit more power without much more work, I am
> quite happy with the 2.0l ABA (93 Jetta) block combined with the old head
> from my 1.8l    8 valve.   This seems a pretty popular configuration of the
> inline motor, done often in other VWs.   Techtonics Tuning (
> http://www.techtonicstuning.com/main/index.php)   had the few parts I
> needed to do the head swap.   It was quite simple (about 4hrs), You may
> have to fiddle a bit to keep your auxiliary belts all lined up.
>
>    I find this hybrid motor to be just fine...guessing it's about like a
> 2.2 subie, power-wise...makes 23mpg and I very rarely find myself wanting
> 'more motor'.....   I paid $300 for this ABA motor, spent $600 total
> combining the two, including changing clutches,  and later I re-sold all
> the power steering power brake AC crap off the ABA for $200... You can find
> the VW inlines on CL or in your local parts yards very cheap.  They are
> very plentiful.   You can go into any autoparts and get what you need or go
> to almost any VW mechanic and he'll be comfortable working on it..
>
>    I doubt you'll regret the change.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 3:50 AM, J Stewart <fonman4277@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Yesterday I took the first step toward starting an engine conversion. I
>> had seriously considered Bostig and Subaru, both fine conversions. I've
>> driven a full Westy with a Subaru 2.5 and it was amazing. But in the end,
>> there desire to keep it all VW won out. I found and purchased the later
>> ('83-up) diesel engine carrier bars, engine mounts, diesel oil pan, and a
>> couple of other items. Now, I know I also need the Kennedy adapter plate
>> too, once I decide which in VW engine is going in there. I'm sure there are
>> plenty of sites which detail doing this conversion, but if anyone can point
>> me to one please do! Also looking for an engine to buy-local to the
>> Washington DC area. My old 1.9 is still humming away, runs like a sewing
>> machine, but the right head is weeping coolant (for over 10 years! Yes, 10
>> years) and I just need/want more power. Mine is an '85 Weekender,
>> automatic, power steering and a/c (which I'd like to keep) Thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>> Jeff Stewart
>>