

| Subject: | Esslinger 2.3 endoftheroad |
| From: | Patrick Dooley |
| Date: | Fri, 24 Apr 1998 00:23:51 -0400 |
For those following the 2.3 thread, I will summarize. I bought an engine adapter kit from Esslinger Engineering to adapt 2.3 ford motor to vanagon transmission. Kit is ONLY available with 200mm flywheel, vanagon is 228mm. Esslinger has not and can get not 228mm flywheels. So, if you go this route, plan on buying 200mm clutch parts. I even called KEP to try getting a 228 flywheel for the Esslinger plate. Yeah, they can do it for 280 bux. KEP also said the 2.3 motor is a bad choice for vanagons because the motors are prone to vibrations which are amplified somewhat by the boxy nature of the van. This will be a daily driver, so the 2.3 is out. But what if KEP just said that because they know Esslinger sells a 2.3 kit for 200 less than theirs? Maybe, but I doubt it. The plan now is to use a Audi 2.0 4 cylinder in the brick. Won't have as much power, and CIS will be harder to rig than EFI, but these motors are smooth and can be laid over for engine lid clearance. They weigh less and of course, appeal to the purist. And I already have one. Will keep updating as I slowly make progress. Who knows, by next week I'll of changed my mind again.:) -PSD
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