Does anyone know of a car that has more engine swap possibilities than a
Vanagon?

Jim

On Tue, Dec 24, 2013 at 6:28 AM, Jack R <jack007@comcast.net> 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
> >>
>