Patrick,

Thought you would be dreading a reply from me on this, huh? No, this
one is happy. :)

Aha, a DO-ABLE swap! When I blow up, this sounds like a good route to
take. 2.3L Ford turbos (the ones in the T-bird) are plentiful, and it
is easy to find a choice one. What are so bad about them? They hold up
better that Rabbit gas motors, and I can back this up!

Problem: I have never tried to contact Esslinger Engineering. Nobody
around here carries this kit, so I'll have to go to EE. A search on
Dogpile turned up nil. Where did you get this bad boy?

Best regards,
Sam

---Patrick Dooley <pdooley@GTE.NET> wrote:
>
> Just got my adapter kit from Esslinger Engineering to bolt a Ford
2.3 turbo
> motor to my 85 vanagon trans.  The pieces look very nice.  The
adapter plate
> is 3/4 inch aluminum and includes a raised circular section to
center the
> transmission bellhousing.  The flywheel looks like a new piece, but is
> probably cut/welded, anyway, the finished product is very clean.  Also
> included is a throwout bearing, a ford dealer item.  And necessary
bolts and
> instructions.  Not bad for 275 US dollars.
>
> I will hang the motor from the diesel style mounting bars with the
> appropriate modifications.  Only undesirable aspect of the
> conversion(besides the fact its a ford motor) is that the engine lid
must be
> cut and raised.  May not be a problem for lucky non-USA folks with
crew
> cabs.
>
> Will try to post pictures if I ever get my web page going.  Gonna
dial the
> motor for around 160-180 horses, but I know people that race 2.3's
on the
> west coast that get ~400 hp from the same animal.  Don't think thats
a good
> idea for a van, though.
>
> Wish me luck, PSD.
>

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