<<snip>>>5) I'm a Porsche 914 owner and know the possibilities for V-8
Conversions for that car, what is the most popular way of boosting the
juice in
a Vanagon these days?<<<snip>>>

Boy, this topic is going to start a flame war for sure :o)

Hope not.  I am a new member of the list, but I don't think that raising
this topic is restricted in the "rules" section of the mailing list.

This topic is regularly "argued" on the RennList.org (a Porsche Owners
email dist list) but the consensus is that it is kosher to
discuss it.  "Purists" provide the opinions about not altering a car, but
are countered by those who wish them well with whatever
they would like to do with their cars, and request the same blessings.

My interests in raising the HP levels are with efficiency and economy in
mind.  Sure a small block Chevy is VERY cheap, but the cost
of modifying the chassis (at least a Porsche 914) to safely utilize all
that torque makes it a VERY costly enterprise.  My goals for a modified
Vanagon would be centered around better passing and mountain climbing
torque.  A small V-6 would be lovely, or even a turbo-diesel.
An Audi Turbo I-5 would probably be the "happy" compromise but begs the
questions about transaxle torque loads:

What are the torque ratings for a stock Vanagon Transaxle?

Are there any Audi offerings that are better?

Does the aftermarket offer any "beefed" version of the stock unit?

My 901 transaxle in my 914 is known to live with no more than 250ft-lbs
max, and certainly not in the weak 1st gear.

thanks,

Brian Mifsud