(much snippage)
>
> How do I go about an engine conversion?  Do I just get an engine and
> then order that adapter kit from Kennedy Engineering or Hetlef
> Hanschke (sp?)  and go to it or will I need other stuff?  Where do I
> find an engine?  How much is it all this likely to cost.
>
>> I guess what I'm looking for is the total low down on engine
> conversions for the ignorant.  Or perhaps the question I am truly
> asking is this:  What's the cheapest simplest way for me to get my
> vanagon to cruise at 70mph? (or at least stay above 55 on hilly
> interstates?)

Mac:

If you want to add more power to your engine, you can either build it up
or swap to a new powerplant. Since you have an air-cooled Vanagon, I
see  one easy option - order a "hopped up" version of your 2.0L. I have
no first hand knowledge of quality, but I remember Stephens Machining
selling Vanagon "Stage 1", "Stage2" etc engines that had larger bores or
different heads and cams. That is one option. Requires only cash, and
little custom work.

Another option would be to install a Porsche 911 engine. Basically the
same engine you have now, but with 2 more cylinders attached. Bolts
right up to your tranny, and you can hook up the Porsche heater boxes to
the stock heating system.

Installing a water cooled engine means you will need to plumb in a
radiator and interior heating system, which can add to the effort and
cost. My basic recommendation would be to keep air-cooled engines in
originally air-cooled Vanagons, and water cooled in the 1983.5 and newer
Vanagons.

There is a bunch of info regarding conversions on my website at
http://www.relitech.com/tomc/tomvw.htm
and on David Marshall's at
http://www.volkswagen.org

Happy reading!
TomC