The TDI is a great engine, I think it is really 149lb@1900-2900 and
90hp@4000, I would hardly call it "simple access".  In order to make a TDI
run you need the *complete* wiring harness from the donar vechicle,
throttle peddal with potentiometer, speed sensor in the speedometer to name
a few things - this "drive by wire" system is what I would rate as exotic
when it comes to a Volkswagen engine - but it is a FANTASTIC engine for
bottom end power, economy and saving the environment.  The VR6 would be a
simpler engine to wire up and get running, the problem is it is thirsty and
heavy!

At 08:37 PM 01/12/1999 -0500, Bulley wrote:
>From what I've seen, the 1.9l Tdi is the simplest access to lots of "grunt"
>without going to something exotic.
>
>While I don't have the specs at my fingertips, I recall something like 145
>lb/ft of torque at 2100 rpm. THAT's nice. Coupled with it's 105 hp at 4200
>(again, just recollection), it gives you torque when you need to get going
>and stamina when you want to go faster. Sweet.
>
>Bjorn Ratjen [SMTP:bratjen@DIRECT.CA] just landed one of these motors, He
>prolly knows the specs. Bjorn?
>
>G. Matthew Bulley
>Bulley-Hewlett
>Corporate Communications Counselors
>www.bulley-hewlett.com
>Cary, NC USA
>888.468.4880 tollfree
>
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>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From:   Steve Cotsford [SMTP:Piper109@AOL.COM]
>Sent:   Wednesday, December 01, 1999 7:49 PM
>To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject:        Re: 4 Cyl VR-6: Maybe Not!!
>
>The 16v VW engines are not known to have a lot of torque but rather develop
>their power high in the rev range.  In other words you have to make the
>engines sing before you get the extra benefit of their advanced design.
>For a Vanagon I would have thought that engines that develop healthy torque
>at low RPM would be more suitable.
>Having said that I dont know which among the VW engines would best meet
>that
>description.  Probably the Audi 5 cyl.
>A good engine to use would be the 2.7 litre 6 "eta" from BMW which is known
>for high torque and high economy.    Whether it could be made to fit of not
>I
>confess to not know.  I just have a fondness for the grunt it puts out .
>Just my tuppence worth.
>Steve
>
>

--   David Marshall -                    - 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) --