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Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:35 am

has anyone put a Corvair engine into a Vanagon? It was a thought I had, they put out 110 hp or so, I remember seeing adapter kits for sand rails. Seen a van w 911 engine, but $$$! In junkyards around here, there's at least a dozen, most still w intact engines.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:42 am

Been done. Corvair is aircooled. Also an outdated motor. Wouldn't put it in water cooled vanagon , that would be two steps backwards with what else is available.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:14 am

What is the parts availability for those things? If you were going into an aircooled Vanagon it might make sense, but I think even in that case it's at least one step backward. The 2.0 liter aircooled engine was quite a bit for sophisticated when it was retired than the Corvair engine and I would think you could build it up to be a lot more reliable and efficient even if it doesn't kick out quite as many horses.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:46 am

I went to a show in woodstock, ct on sunday. There was a bay w corvair drivetrain and cv adapters. The owner said it works great for him, looked stock, clean. I'm still thinking about it for when I camper out my 81 sunroof.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:15 am

Corvair? You're a couple of steps from a Porsche 911 Turbo motor. Go for it! The Porsche, not the Corvair. :-)

Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:51 am

R Berthiaume wrote: I went to a show in woodstock, ct on sunday. There was a bay w corvair drivetrain and cv adapters. The owner said it works great for him, looked stock, clean. I'm still thinking about it for when I camper out my 81 sunroof.

Must have been Mike Hill's bus. He did a great job on it from front to back. It was not cheap to do, but it came out very nice.

Why would you not just do a Raby Camper Special? It will fit right in there and will look pretty much stock.

http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/store/

Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:27 am

Corvair put out a turbocharged engine for a few years, if you insisted in putting one in.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:56 am

Aside from the very old engine design and a poor oiling system =

THE ENGINES RUN BACKWARDS !! like a honda. So you need to find a tranny that will work backwards.

If you must have an air cooled, I too would sugest a Porsche.

jcl

Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:24 pm

Put together a Raby Power Stroke. More power than a Camper Special, but still stock fit and appearance.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:50 pm

Wildthings wrote: Put together a Raby Power Stroke. More power than a Camper Special, but still stock fit and appearance.

A power stroke would also be a good choice. I am not sure if the L-tronic FI will support it. Best to discuss that with Mr. Raby IMO.

An air cooled Porsche engine would have a difficult time dealing with the low end torque demands of a vanagon due to its weight and gearing.

If you have never rebuilt a 911 or 914-6 engine, it is real money.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:04 pm

Randy in Maine wrote: Wildthings wrote: Put together a Raby Power Stroke. More power than a Camper Special, but still stock fit and appearance.

A power stroke would also be a good choice. I am not sure if the L-tronic FI will support it. Best to discuss that with Mr. Raby IMO.

An air cooled Porsche engine would have a difficult time dealing with the low end torque demands of a vanagon due to its weight and gearing.

If you have never rebuilt a 911 or 914-6 engine, it is real money.

I think that Jake recommends the use of carbs with the Power Stroke. Don't off hand know the power limitations of the stock VW FI system. You are right best to check with Jake.

Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:47 am

The powerstroke must use carbs or prorammable EFI as the stock system is not adequate.

Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:47 am

The powerstroke must use carbs or prorammable EFI as the stock system is not adequate.

Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:01 am

just some thoughts I had. someday I'll put some power in my van, but for now I'm just putting the stock motor back together w new rings n bearings. 67 hp isn't much to haul around 2.5 tons, I shudder to think what a dressed westy weighs.