I have been doing some checking into getting together a kit to put a 1.9l TD
motor into a diesel Vanagon.
In my studies I seem to have come across an idea that has perhaps escaped some
of the other folks who are doing diesel to turbo diesel conversions.
If you are planning on putting a 1.6l TD into your Vanagon why not put a 1.9l
NA diesel in your van instead.  The 1.9l NA diesel motor is very close to the
HP and Torque of the 1.6l TD without the turbo and turbo injector pump and
making a special motor mount on the drivers side and all the other headaches
associated with this swap.
Here are the numbers you decide for yourself:
1.6 TD
68HP @ 4500 rpm     98 ftlbs torque @ 1800
1.9 NA Diesel
64HP @ 4400 rpm     92 ftlbs torque @ 2000-3000
What does this mean?
It means that you can get basically the same hp and torque for less cost,
hassle, more reliability, and possibly more mpg (I think that since the torque
curve peak is at a higher rpm with the 1.9l that this means that it will be
more fuel efficent at higher rpms.  Please correct me if I am wrong.)
So I sell these 1.9l motors (longblocks) for $1900 and they are factory new
and come with a 6 month 60k miles warranty.
These motors are a bolt in swap to the Vanagons since the intake ports have
been set up to use the 1.6l intake manifold.
So if your Vanagon diesel needs some more zip or is getting ready for a new
motor or rebuild time, why not upgrade?
These motors are Turbo Diesel motors so if you want to add the turbo
components from a 1.6l TD motor in the future you can, but they will work
perfectly fine as NA diesels as well.
Let me know if anyone is interested.
Ken Wilford
Van-Again
John 3:16
PS These motors will fit in Jettas, Golfs, Pickups, Rabbits, too!