Hi David,

This is great info.  I am especially pleased to hear you have put on some trouble free miles and only a mild repair. 

Can you share any specifics about any other related engine upgrades?  Are you using parts from your 1.9 or did you update the cooling system, ECU, fuel injection.

I take it your van is a Standard.  Mine is Auto so I’d love to hear what the Turbo option really impacts in driving.

I’m looking at options for a 2.3 transplant.

However, at the moment, the 1.9 is alive and sounding happy.

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto 

> On Jul 31, 2019, at 7:09 PM, David Boan <dboan@outlook.com> wrote:
> 

> Eric
> 
> I replaced the 1.9 in my '85 Westy 4 years ago with the GoWesty 2.3.  It has about 25,000 on it now and runs well.  I did have a recent water pump failure, which was the only issue I have had with the engine.  The shop that replaced the pump said that it was rare for that to happen with that engine.  The extra horsepower is nice, but I do not have any hard numbers on performance.  One thing I did was to have the transaxle rebuilt at German Transaxle, and with the extra HP I went with a higher ratio 3rd and 4th gear.  I also went for the super differential since this is a 2WD and I am driving more on forest service roads.  I can cruise at 65 mph, which is about 3200 rpm and 20 mpg (depending on the load).  
> 
> One reason I went with that engine was that I was not looking for higher speed.  It is still a 34 yo vehicle and I am just not comfortable flying down the road at 85+.  I want available parts, reliability, and an engine that is more widely known should I need a mechanic out of town.  
> 
> Let me know if you have any questions.
> 
> Dave B
> Boise
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com <mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>> on behalf of Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET <mailto:ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 6:19 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>>
> Subject: Re: What water boxer to replace my 1.9?
>  
> Hi Stuart,
> 
> Wow!  Great info on the transmission.  That sounds like a very good improvement on a my nicely working but high miles transmission.  Does this do anything to address the high milage torque converter?
> 
> I’d like to learn more about the GW engines and I was leaning toward the 2.3. 
> 
> Keep this great info coming as I need to know what I don’t know!
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 85 GL Auto 
> 
> > On Jul 31, 2019, at 5:27 PM, <stuartmacm@gmail.com <mailto:stuartmacm@gmail.com>> <stuartmacm@gmail.com <mailto:stuartmacm@gmail.com>> wrote:
> > 
> > Hi Eric,
> > 
> > Engine time comes for all of us sooner or later.  Go Westy sells reworked headshttps://www.gowesty.com/product/cylinder-heads/3376/new-gowesty-amc-cylinder-head?v= <https://www.gowesty.com/product/cylinder-heads/3376/new-gowesty-amc-cylinder-head?v=>  , If you opt for a GW 2.3 engine I doubt that you would get much of your core charge back for a 1.9 core, might not even be worth shipping it back.  German transaxle can Upgrade your tranny with a four gear Audi planetary gear (their "Turbo" upgrade, call to see if they have the parts) and also add a 3.27 ring and pinion, which lowers the cruising rpm a lot, about 800 rpm. I have it along with the turbo upgrade and it's great, much better on long trips!  https://www.germantransaxle.com/NEW-Ring--Pinion-Ratios-for-3-speed-Automatics.htm?m=97&s=698&&id=1394 <https://www.germantransaxle.com/NEW-Ring--Pinion-Ratios-for-3-speed-Automatics.htm?m=97&s=698&&id=1394> 
> > 
> > Stuart
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com <mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>> On Behalf Of Eric Caron
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 7:52 AM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Subject: What water boxer to replace my 1.9?
> > 
> > Hi folks,
> > 
> > Well it is time.  Even if the engine in my van comes to life it is clearly time to replace.
> > 
> > I don’t want to go the route of a different engine or engine swap.
> > 
> > I’m interested in a quality 2.1 or 2.2 engine.  Stronger if that is still in the reasonable original style engine category.
> > 
> > I’m asking for thoughts and tips on what may be out there for a strong engine.  I’ll start by looking over the GW options but I don’t really understand yet all that implies.
> > 
> > Though my engine is running many 1.9 supports such as the cooling system I do have the 2.1 Stainless GW muffler, a very nice oil cooler, cooling system on the Auto transmission. 
> > 
> > So I’m looking at dropping the 1.p and working with friends or a shop to put in the next engine. 
> > 
> > I’m also considering if I should send out the transmission for overhaul.  It seems to be working well but has about 155,000 miles on it. 
> > 
> > I’m wondering what they could do to improve my working transmission?
> > 
> > So, question is what water boxer   engine might you recommend?  A quality engine is my priority followed by price and warrantee. 
> > 
> > Transmission recommendations to go with that.
> > 
> > Later question, is what support equipment on the engine to keep using and what to replace. 
> > 
> > I’m counting on the list for direction!
> > 
> > Please, let's not talk other style engines in my request.  I’m determined to stick with an original VW Vanagon power plant.
> > 
> > Eric Caron 
> > 85 GL Auto 
> >