Of course there are lots of thoughts and opinions on engine conversions.         One major consideration are your plans to support it. In many ways the Water Boxer is still simple low technology and can be diagnosed easily. Almost all the popular conversions add a good level of complexity and while they may be more reliable in some ways when they do go sick you will have to deal with it.  

An engine with a bad valve or even a piston does not necessarily mean a full replacement. And even if it does unless you are doing your own work and able to deal with used parts and some fabrication replacing in kind will be the lowest cost option. At some point if looking at 8 to 12 k for an engine upgrade you have to ask yourself about the sensibility of having one of these vehicles. If a pair of heads and a gasket set get you going for 5 years that can be a lot of money saved. As your engine may have been damaged by an overheating event keep in mind that any conversion could have suffered the same damage from that same event. 

As Jim noted you have to get goals and expectations. Then set budgets and the path to get there. 

Dennis

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of John Rodgers
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 7:09 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Engine swap

I know my '91 Carat will need a new engine out there in the  not  distant future and am wondering what good combinations are out there for an autotranny match up.

Anyone actually  own such? What is your experience?

Thanks.

John