I agree.  I really like a Volkswagen in a Volkswagen.  I have the Gen V inline Golf engine in my 87 Westy.  The engineering and mods to the ECU were made by FAS in Maine.  It's nice having OBDII.   I have done a couple of cross country trips, along with a few East Coast down and up trips.  It's a daily (almost) driver/hauler and used whenever we go away (hotel stays too).  There is always something in there we need.  From multi-day camping/hiking to being my ski vehicle, it's very versatile and with a hot little engine.  80 is no problem so long as the hill is not too long or there is no room to get going.  There is a nice wide powerful RPM range in all 4 gears.   I have the long use engine as opposed to the hot rod engine.  Would a 2.5L subie be better?  Sometimes climbing some high hill (and you folks have sent us up or down some doozies) on the highway at high altitude I find myself wishing for some more HP, then I remind myself I got a new factory engine, not an older technology and otherwise rebuilt subie engine and I deal with it. I have been using it for about 5 years now, and have had no real engine related issues other than those caused by Old RT. 66 or where I have driven it.  The guys at FAS keep telling me I don't have a Syncro.  Bottom line, it's a reliable engine system and all the parts are available easily.  I like it.

Dave B,

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Fri, Jan 12, 2018 1:21 pm
Subject: Fri: opinion on the proper conversion for Vanagon

I have an 84 tintop with most of the Westie interior and a 5 sp manual
transmission, powered by an inline VW motor that's installed on the factory
inline deisel engine mounts.  I happened onto this rig on a whim... there's
not much "buzz" about this kinda Vanagon... though they are around and have
been done for years.
   I'm no expert, and I can't quote exact figures, VW numbers, current
costs, etc. but here's my take on this type of Vanagon.
  I think, for those who're using the Vanagon a lot, it's a great set up.
It is very simple and easily maintained, performs like a normal vehicle and
has very good gas mileage.   The increase in power from a stock WBX motor
is not so much as to  break things, and these inline VW motors are quite
robust.
  I like the way the inline conversion makes the Vanagon still a Vanagon..
Many other types of conversions seem to make these vans into something
else...
  I like to be able to get parts in small towns, if needed.  I like to be
able to fix it without a degree in computer science and a flatbed ride to
some dealership...
 It's a VW van... I've got now an ABA Jetta inline that my wife leaves
over tbe summer in the desert.  Her work car.  That one is super, too.
Great little simple cheap motors...very appropriate for a Vanagon,