Hi Joel

I've been thinking about the turbo diesel but recently found a supplier
of new VW 1.9 diesels who will import them to the west coast for about
$1600. I am getting used to going slow again (I drive the Celica if I'm
in a hurry) and a few more hp with a normally aspirated engine would
probably do just fine for the Vanagon. I'm looking mainly to high
mileage and longevity.

I do plan on the TD for my '81 pickup however if I can find one at a
decent price. Used ones around here are around $1500 for a complete
running engine. I haven't checked the self-serve yards yet but heard of
a couple purchased cheap but needing rebuilt.

Jim
Esparto, California
'81 Rabbit diesel
'81 VW Pickup
'82 Vanagon diesel

Joel Walker wrote:
>
> >I'm getting about 32 mpg all around with my '82 Vanagon diesel
> but at
> >the expense of not having enough power to cruise at much over 65
> without
> >hurting the longevity of the stock 52 hp engine.
>
> brag, brag, brag. that's all you diesel guys do! :)  in all
> seriousness, though, you might consider putting a turbocharger on
> it. turbos and diesels are made for each other ... the boost
> comes on only when there is a load on the engine, like going up
> hills. the biggest effect is that you won't NOTICE the hills so
> much any more. :)
>
> the downside is a loss of about 2-3 mpg, and a LOT of heat in the
> engine compartment. makes changing oil every 2000 miles a
> necessity (if the turbo uses the engine oil as a coolant).  and i
> mean a LOT of heat. :( but usually, there is enough airflow to
> keep the turbo cool, and a diesel doesn't have a lot of
> electronics back there to worry about.
>
> just a thought. there was a fellow who wrote up some stuff about
> putting one on his diesel in texas, so he could run a/c. :)
>
> joel