Dave,
      I have a Syncro. If I install a inline 4 Cyl. at 15 deg. Would
I have to cut a hole in the engine compartment lid? It seams to me
that the 2 1/2 inch you need to clear the lid maybe just enough
difference between the Syncro and the 2 WD. Also different
 I4 cyl. have different heights.... are you refering the 2 liter?
            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler

On Mon, 17 May 1999, David Marshall wrote:

> Just about any Volkswagen inline four fits a Vanagon.  This includes the
> 158hp 1.8L G60 Corrado engine and the 150hp 1.8L Passat Turbo engine.  Can
> the transmission take the huge jump in power should be the question!
>
> On the Audi scene again just about every engine out there will fit
> including the 2.2L 168hp 5 cylinder turbo, although it is a REALLY tight
> squeeze!
>
> They *all* have their limitations though.  None of these engines will fit
> with out some alteration of loss of "something" as the Vanagon's engine
> compartment is very shallow.
>
> I have the most experience with the VW inline four engines installing them
> in both 2WD and Syncro Vanagons.  There are two ways you can mount these
> engines [for now] the 50 deg angle like the early 80s Diesels and at 15 deg
> as is found in the Golf / Jetta.  The 50 deg angle will not interfere with
> engine lid or decrease ground clearance, but you will have to cut a section
> out of the frame rail on the driver side of the vanagon to make clearance
> for the intake manifold.  You also need to luck out and get all the Diesel
> parts to do the conversion.  The 15 degree angle approach, like I am doing
> at Fast Forward ( http://www.fastforward.ca ) does have it's limitations
> too.  You must raise the engine lid about 5 to 7 cm or lower the engine 5
> to 7 cm (which BTW, do not loose 5 to 7 cm of ground clearance as compaired
> to the original boxer engine).  Parts are more readly available for this as
> our kit will be ready for sale by the end of the week.  Our forth prototype
> (same as final version) is installed in my Syncro and it does not affect
> the skid plates at all.  Changing the engine oil in the I4 is as simple as
> changing the oil on the wasserleaker.
>
> I think the Subaru conversions are a practical engine swap as long as you
> don't mind loosing ground clearance, which can be somewhat overcome with a
> dry sump oil system.  The other problem deals with maintainance.  I
> personally feel the most Volkswagen and Subaru dealships are going to look
> at you quite funny if you bring your van in for engine servce.  The Subarus
> are also very complicated to wire up too.
>
> The advantage to the Volkswagen inline four engines is that all of your
> parts come from one place so your keeping it all Volkswagen.  The mechanics
> at the dealership will have no problems servicing the inline four engine as
> they are setup the same as any Golf or Jetta.  The head mechanic at the VW
> dealership where I live thinks the I4 swap is fantastic due to the
> simplicity, availability and the price.
>
> I'm not trying to do a hard sell here, I am just trying to weigh both sides
> of the argument.  I sell both setups so it doesn't really matter to me
> which direction you go.  From what I can see the Subaru kit is a more
> expensive and complicated setup.  When it is running and you can live with
> -6" of round clearance they are great engines offering more power than most
> VW engines.
>
> If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, via the list or
> via personal email.
>
>
> At 13:23 17/05/1999 -0400, Markus Benne wrote:
> >I'm having a hard time figuring out which VW engines fit in the
> >Vanagon without moving the deck.
> >
> >Which Golf engines fit?
> >
> >Which Audi engines fit?
> >
> >Will a G60 equipped engine fit (my friend may have a line on one)?
> >
> >Do any of these reduce clearance?
> >Will any of these interfere with the Syncro skid plate?
> >
> >My preference is still the Subaru but the loss of clearance is a big
> >issue.
> >
> >Thanks a heap,
> >...Markus
> >
> >ps:  If anyone has direct experience with the Subaru conversion, please
> >contact me.
> >
> >
>
> --   David Marshall - Vanagon List Admin - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
> --    78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westie, 85 VW Cabriolet   --
> --       87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 2.0L VW Syncro Double Cab      --
> -- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org --
> -- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca --
> -- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list) --
>