Yay Steve,

Speedboats, Learjets, Kawasakis.
Sailboats, hot air balloons, bicycles.

I prefer the latter in all cases and I like my Wasserboxer the way it is,
too.

Karl Wolz

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, February 08, 1999 11:57 PM
Subject: Re: I drove it! (engine swap info)5Cyl. commend

>Am i the only one who likes the performance of the opposed cylinder engines
as
>opposed to the in-line engines?  I like the wasserboxer....it cruises like
my BMW
>motorcycles of days gone by, anfd has been just as reliable (not a single
>breakdown or engine-related failure of any kind in 100k other than a water
>pump.)...although i guess i am very lucky on that score given all the
problems
>others have had.  True, it is a dog, but i've gotten used to that and it
doesn't
>really bother me anymore....it will cruise at 75 mph fine on the freeway.
I've
>had it up to 90-something.  80 is no problem, but why in a 5000lb tank?  I
surely
>understand why many want to upgrade...but am i the only nut who does
not...who
>actually likes the beast the way it is?
>steve
>p.s.  kyle...i saw your finished product and was very impressed with the
quality,
>etc...and mean to take nothing away from it ... just expressing my
eccentric
>opinions on motors.  :~)
>
>Detlev Hanschke wrote:
>
>> In a message dated 99-02-08 20:33:12 EST, you write:
>>
>> Hello Chris ,
>>
>> < hey have taken the O.E.M. VoSA
>>  Engineering Ideas and put a perfect power plant in the place of the SA
....>>
>>
>> I think each one of us have the own philosophy about upgrating
>> and  I think that the South African
>> way the right evolution for the Vanagon is.
>> SA offer a 4 Cyl. inline 1.8 l engine on the lower end
>> and a 5 Cyl. inline 2.6 l engine on the upper end.
>> Now it's up to every one of us how much power we need and how much money
>> we like to spend for the power we will get.
>>
>> <We (a collegue and I) will be installing
>> the Conversions at our Shop in Vermont, and soon we will be one of the
east
>> coast installers. >
>> I know about the price politic from Overland/Eurospec
>> but still I think even for a low budget ($2700 for our Kit and if you
luck
>> $300 for the Donor Car)
>> and with a little Handyman skill you can convert your Vanagon with a long
>> lasting reliabl and
>> Strong engine .
>> This engine is designet to pull heavy cars like the Audi 5000 / 100 or
later
>> the Euro Van.
>>
>> << accelerating to a comfortable 85mph to pass all of the traffic  >>
>>
>> Even on a steep pass and with 80 miles on the Speedometer you can easy
>> accelerat
>> (Customer comend    "  It seems the Altermont is flat " 1400 feet high )
>> and this with one of the  smallest 5 Cyl. 2.14 l and 103 hp and an
compression
>> ratio
>> from 8.2 : 1  what allows you to use almost every Gas , even in Mexico
when
>> you
>> can not be sure what you get when you stop on a Gasstation.
>> An this engine is the smal version on the lower end
>> you can pump it up to 158 Hp or more but then you have take care about
your
>> Transmittion(because of the torque this engine work perfect with a
Automatic).
>> Every one have to look on all the PLUS and MINUS and find the way to go.
>>
>> I hope I will see you for an road test here in Livermore and you can
>> experience
>> the different and deside what is the right conversion for you.
>>
>> Sincerely         Detlev :     Volkwagen Mechanic since 1977 / Working as
Car
>> High performer  since 1981
>>                                        Winkler related since 1986
>>
>> Vanagon Projekt
>> Livermore
>> 456 Franklin Lane
>>
>> 925 606 8797