OK, I've been reading these posts for a few months now, hoping someone else would ask "What the heck is a TDI?"  No one has, so now I am asking.

Karl Wolz
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael J. Sullivan 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Thursday, June 10, 1999 2:46 PM
  Subject: Re: Engine Swap - what about TDI?

  Dear Douglas,

  I am "in the middle" of doing my TDi conversion but have to temporarily stop due to moving to a new house, an impending heart operation (yikes!), and an unresponsive, over-booked mechanic. Looks like it will have to wait 'till September unless my mechanic (who will remain un-named) gets a fire under his ass to start making some progress.

  As far as acceleration goes, I own a Passat TDi and I assure you, you would never know from a performance point-of-view that you were driving a diesel. In short, a great engine. BUT, while I would whole-heartedly recommend this engine swap in a 2-wheel drive Vanagon with a 5-speed, I would not recommend this conversion for installation in a Syncro, especially here in America (which is the vehicle that I have). This is for a variety of technical reasons that I will give later.

  In spite of my reservations (for others) of using this engine swap in Syncros, I feel strongly this is the perfect solution for my trip to South America with the "Caravaners" in the year 2000: great mileage, great low-end torque, and (hopefully) great reliability.

  Cheers,
  MJS

  At 02:55 PM 6/10/99 -0400, Fitz-Randolph, Douglas wrote:
  >I'm curious too. Changing engine types seems like a Very Big Deal to me -
  >especially for the cost vs. a rebuilt WB.
  >
  >Also, why is *everyone* recommending the 5-cyl conversion? What about the
  >TDI? That would seem like the ultimate engine to have in a Vanagon for those
  >looking at spending thousands and thousands of dollars anyhow. I've driven
  >this engine in Passats and also in the new Golf and it is excellent - and
  >driving behind one you'd hardly notice it was a diesel. Imagine getting 30
  >mpg in a Vanagon - that's about 500 miles per tank! (That figure was quoted
  >in an ad for a TDI conversion Vanagon FS in WI - YMMV). Plus, you could
  >carry extra fuel without breaking the law or risking your life! And with
  >gasoline prices and taxes sure to continue climbing, gallon for gallon
  >diesel might even become a cheaper alternative. And diesels last practically
  >forever.
  >
  >Aside from limited fuel availability and cold weather issues in some areas,
  >what are the drawbacks? Lower ground clearance/engine height? Cost?
  >Difficulty of conversion? Is it practical only for already-diesel vans?
  >Doesn't work for Syncros? I know this has been discussed before, but I
  >haven't really found any definitive sources of information on the topic in
  >the archives or on personal sites. Anybody know the whole story?
  >
  >Doug Fitz-Randolph
  >Yarmouth, ME
  >dfrandolph@talkam.net
  >'90 Syncro

  Michael J. Sullivan
  Marshfield, MA
  Tierra del Fuego 2000 or bust!

  '87 VW Vanagon GL Syncro Westfalia "Sunny" (soon to be TDi-powered)
  '89 Audi 200 Turbo Quattro Wagon "Wizard" (soon to be for sale)
  '96 VW Passat TDi "Teddi" (46mpg)

  *********************************************
  work: http://www.openmarket.com
  my vanagon: http://www.hsdesign.com/vanagon
  scan tips: http://www.hsdesign.com/scanning
  *********************************************

[text/html]