One of the poster's requirements was for a  not-big-bucks conversion.
I'd think that more or less rules out the bostig for him, not that they
don't cost less out the door in the end than some other conversions.
I don't think the poster needs or is ineterested in a 1.8 T conversion
either ......turbocharged gasoline, 5 vales per cylinder..some 200 hp or
so ?
only about $ 15K roughly. I'm sure they're nice. He could buy two used
functioning vanagons for that.

smiley face here :-)
Scott

On 12/24/2013 4:28 AM, Jack R wrote:
> I know a couple volks who are very pleased with their Bostig conversion.
> http://www.bostig.com/
>
> In my case, I came very close to putting in a 2.5l 5 cly TDI (owned the
> motor, and was ready to proceed), but the cost to beef up the trans due to
> the torque of a diesel among many other things, resulted in converting my 84
> Wolfie to a 2.1L out of a 91 in tip top shape.  Very pleased in all.  As I
> use my Westie for a few weekends of Michigan Camping, and put about 5,000
> miles on it a year, the ROI from the costly conversion to get more MPG or
> performance is not there for me.
>
> Each conversion is a unique decision, and Scott makes some valid points on
> your current situation.
>
> Good luck with whatever you do... I'll speak for everyone on this list, we
> ALL hate to see any Vanagon leave circulation!!
>
> Jack R.
> 84 Westy Wolfie with a 2.1L (owned since 87, and restored to original
> splendor)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Scott Daniel
> Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 7:14 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Engine woes - what to do?
>
> I'll have to second this. Inline 4 gasser didn't pop into my mind as a
> solution out of the poster's current delema ..
> but yeah ..
> simple , cheap, durable, easily repalced, all VW , good fuel economy, decent
> power ..
> there is a lot to like in a VW-based  I4 gasser conversion.
>
> ...if I ever find time to my to play with my 3 actually.... ..mutter mutter.
>
>
> On 12/23/2013 4:07 PM, Don Hanson wrote:
>> I'll chime in for the inline VW swap as probably the simplest and most
>> economical way to go.   Like Jim, I really like the power, the fuel
>> economy and the overall simplicity of having a VW motor on VW parts in
>> my VW van.   I did keep the Digifant  1.8 liter head and all the wires
>> do plug right in, pretty much.  It bolts right in using VW diesel
>> parts that are available and proven...the diesel VW engine is the same
>> block as the gasser, so all the parts for mounting it are factory
>> stock.   ABA blocks are also identical.   My motor cost me about $600
>> to build from a $300 Jetta ABA and I sold off the extra parts to
>> almost make a profit.
>>      You can find almost unlimited inline VW motors for under $500 all
>> over everywhere.  The only downside is there is no one source of
>> information on this particular swap, not that it needs a lot of
>> explaining.  Inline parts are dirt cheap, they are simple to work on
>> and quite robust.   I was a VW rookie when I got mine already
>> converted, but the fellow who did the conversion was a carpenter and
>> not a mechanic.  I've since done a lot of swapping around and messing
>> with it, mainly to learn and because they are so cheap and
>> simple....They are easy to mess with....I never HAD to work on mine
>> much, but I chose to go to the ABA 2.0 liter block after reading about
>> it and finding one for $300...Took me 2 days, about to swap all the
>> stuff over and re-install it into my van.   I have a spare motor now,
>> too...should I ever need one.
>>
>> On Mon, Dec 23, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Todd Last <rubatoguy@comcast.net> wrote:
>>> After almost 230,00 miles my '88 Vanagon is displaying symptoms of a head
> leak - I have not yet confirmed this or done a recent compression test, but
> plan to do so.  I have concluded that one of the worst things you can do to
> your van is not use it. Bad things happen when they are left sitting!
>>> In any case I am looking at my options, and started out thinking about
> replacing the heads, then thought if I was going to do that, I might as well
> put in new piston rings too, and well, once you do that you might as well go
> a step farther and do an engine rebuild.  Of course, once you get there, the
> question becomes, stock, modified (like GoWesty) or engine swap.  In looking
> at these options, it looks like a cost of $5,000 or more. From what I have
> seen, Subaru conversions can reach over $10K.  Yikes!
>>> I was wondering if I could get opinions on the best course of action in
> this situation, not wanting to spend tens of thousands of dollars. Would
> list memebers give me their 2 cents worth and if possible, what the
> aproximate costs for the various solutions range from?  I'm not sure if it
> makes more sence to just install new heads and hope for the best, or go full
> bore and swap the engine.
>>> What does the voice of experience say? Anyone out there have opinions on
> the GoWesty performance engines vs. a Subaru transplant?
>>> Thanks,
>>> Todd
>>> '88 Westy
>>>