If all of us would convert our vanagons to VW 1.9L TDI engines we would have
the same power and more torque and longevity compared with the waterboxer.
We would also save a couple of buckets of fuel. 

Let's see:
Let us say that the list members have 600 vanagons (553 according to Joel
plus lurkers). Let us say they all drive an average of 16000kms (10000miles)
per year. 
With a TDI you save about 5L per 100kms or 800L per year at our average
distance. If we add our total fuel savings that would make 480000L or
roughly 126000 gallons per year for all members of the converted list together.

In addition we would increase our driving range to 800-900 kms (500-560
miles) between fillups.

Cool stats.

Bj�rn