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rockandsnowjunkie Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Vancouver
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject: Vanagon Conversion |
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Hello, I'm planning to replace my horribly unreliable 1.9L gas engine in my 1983 vanagon with either a EJ25 or a newer (2002ish) VW TDI engine. With the EJ25 putting out 165hp (with not great fuel economy) and the TDI 90Hp, with a turbo of course, and amazing fuel economy, what (i know this will be conflicting) is a better conversion for resurrecting my defunct vanagon?
Thanks for any advice. |
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djbside Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2008 Posts: 114 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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Have you looked at all at the Bostig Conversion?
I have spent the last 4 months researching the Subie, Tiico, Bostig (Zetec), and the various TDI options out there... Even weighed the idea of a TenCent motor... And to me, the Bostig seems to offer the best of all things to consider. _________________ Brandon...'83 Westy "Rose" |
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RichBenn Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2005 Posts: 703 Location: Lake Tahoe, NV
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Conversion |
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rockandsnowjunkie wrote: |
Hello, I'm planning to replace my horribly unreliable 1.9L gas engine in my 1983 vanagon with either a EJ25 or a newer (2002ish) VW TDI engine. With the EJ25 putting out 165hp (with not great fuel economy) and the TDI 90Hp, with a turbo of course, and amazing fuel economy, what (i know this will be conflicting) is a better conversion for resurrecting my defunct vanagon?
Thanks for any advice. |
Not to be rude, but:
1. Use the search here. Try TDI AND Subaru as search terms. It's been discussed already.
2. Go over to the Yahoo Subaru Vanagon group and search. It's also the place to learn about Subaru conversions.
3. Then, if your questions aren't answered, post but give more information -- do you already have a diesel? How much are you willing to spend(alot for either, BTW)? Do you live in California(emissions)? What are your priorities? _________________ Rich |
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Perales Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2007 Posts: 2046 Location: Nova Scotia
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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Check out Ben's site as well.
http://www.benplace.com/
It is loaded with Suby conversion info. He is in Montreal, but hey, Canada is a small country, right? _________________ -- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino) |
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HeftySmurf Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2008 Posts: 879 Location: Washington, USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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Save your self some work and check out Bostig Engineering _________________ -Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig |
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Grizzly_black Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2006 Posts: 225
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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If I am not mistaken, diesel is cheaper than gas in CA. If you were to convert to a subaru the best you will get is around 22 MPG, The z-tec conversion will get about the same. With a TDI you will get 30+ if you re-gear your transmission. Cheaper fuel and better fuel economy. I would focus on a TDI. Check out the TDI vanagon Yahoo group.
Just my thoughts and opinions.
Grizz |
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meyervw Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2006 Posts: 470 Location: Chico, California
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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Grizzly_black wrote: |
If I am not mistaken, diesel is cheaper than gas in CA. If you were to convert to a subaru the best you will get is around 22 MPG, The z-tec conversion will get about the same. With a TDI you will get 30+ if you re-gear your transmission. Cheaper fuel and better fuel economy. I would focus on a TDI. Check out the TDI vanagon Yahoo group.
Just my thoughts and opinions.
Grizz |
Diesel is alot more in Ca. than gas right now. _________________ Spelling in my post may or may not be correct.
Gustav 1987 Wolfsburg Edition |
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levi Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005 Posts: 5522 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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Since he's in Canada, I can't figure why the cost of diesel in Calif would matter to guy.
Interesting decision though.
The suby doesn't get nearly the mpg, but it's a real easy conversion and cheap, like 3,000 diy.
The tdi gets great (comparitive) mpg, but it's a lot tougher to do, and if you can't handle it, well over 10,000 to have it done.
Which way to go? _________________ One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
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wgargan Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2002 Posts: 871 Location: Dreaming of the Rockies
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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In California I just saw diesel for $2.29 and gas at $1.99
If you get 18mpg with a gas engine and 30 with a diesel then your paying about $.08 per mile with diesel and $.11 per mile with gas. _________________ Current ride:
1983.5 Watercooled Vanagon 'L' Automatic transmission |
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?Waldo? Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006 Posts: 9752 Location: Where?
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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A 1Z or AHU TDI engine can be installed under the decklid using all of the stock diesel vanagon mounting hardware. A mechanical TDI injection pump makes the installation waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy simpler than a Subaru install. Mechanical TDI injection pumps are available from several different online vendors.
Andrew |
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a914622 Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2004 Posts: 840 Location: Westend of HWY2 , Wash
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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I went with a 2.5 suby. DIY lots of time doing the jigery pokery, would cost an arm and leg to get it done(8k?).
Like the Bosting Ztec. But $$. (there was a 89 on the seattle C/L for 10k done)
Love the diesel but again $$. It seams like every freak show out there wants a TDI wich drove the price way up. (I seen a guy stuffing one in a toyota 4x4??? ) The seattle C/L has a 90 diesel for 7k.
A good rebuild 2.1 wbx would be the most cost effective.?
OR wait for the suby boxer Diesel?
I kid
good luck jcl |
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airkooledchris Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005 Posts: 2707
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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without either unlimited time for a DIY build, or unlimited $$ to pay for a proper TDI, Suby or Bostig install, id also go the rebuilt 2.1 WBX for your van. bang for buck-wise it really can't be beat... (unless of course money or time aren't a concern for this project.) |
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HeftySmurf Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2008 Posts: 879 Location: Washington, USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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Isnt an engine conversion more about less fussing with the engine than MPG? A few MPG if not a big deal, however cost of upkeep and posssbile parts, or even a new motor if it blows can be astronomical. I can get a Ford Zetec for about $300 here in MIchigan with less than 20k on it. When I was looking at Subby conversion I couldnt find one with under 100k for under 2k, same thing with diesel. The guys at BOSTIG have done there home work on this one foiks....
BTW it runs E85 (its about $1.50 by my house today) if you simply reconfigure, which is no hassel. And if its a matter of power, the future holds the plan of a turbo to give you another 80 or HP to the extra 45hp gained with the engine conversion its self, _________________ -Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig |
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jackbombay Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Eastern Idaho
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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wgargan wrote: |
If you get 18mpg with a gas engine and 30 with a diesel then your paying about $.08 per mile with diesel and $.11 per mile with gas. |
I very rarely get MPGs as low as 30 with my TDI. My TDI has all the electronics. _________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
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ftp2leta Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 3271 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Conversion |
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rockandsnowjunkie wrote: |
Hello, I'm planning to replace my horribly unreliable 1.9L gas engine in my 1983 vanagon with either a EJ25 or a newer (2002ish) VW TDI engine. With the EJ25 putting out 165hp (with not great fuel economy) and the TDI 90Hp, with a turbo of course, and amazing fuel economy, what (i know this will be conflicting) is a better conversion for resurrecting my defunct vanagon?
Thanks for any advice. |
I would go Bostig ratter than VW, that is for sure. Just because it's another VWm haaaa ha ha ha.... I just change a clutch this week on a Jetta Diesel. beuarkkkkk..... i had dirty oil even in my underwear. he he he.
Bostig does some good work, i agree. Me, I'm happy with Subaru.
Just a little note about all the folk that think that a 2.5L is thirsty, your deadly wrong. A 2.5L will beat any IN SHAPE VW gas engine. Most of the time you will get a 20% increase in fuel consumption. So please... after 42,000 km i should know.
I really like the cool fight between stock engine, Bostig, Diesel and Subi but let's keep it straight and fair, it's all good for the customers, the curious and the DIY, the more option the better it is!!! No one here will ever be my customer, i'm too expensive anyway so it's just for the fun of it.
Here is my engine after 1.5 years.... (i took the pictures 3 days ago)
Remember one thing, i'm my first and most important customer!
This engine as been out 2 time now for some personal modification, i should do a dyno test next week, i think i have pass 200hp, still no Turbo and still pretty good on fuel. We are working on 2 new heavily modified heads. I took pictures.... i will show everything someday, but before, i have to keep working and finish the work on the STI engine.
Cheers, Ben _________________ Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
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FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta |
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Ryan Keating Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004 Posts: 217
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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I have a 84 westy with a suby 2.2 ej22 and a 85 passenger with a great running 1.9 and the difference is huge. The suby westy is much faster and climbs the canyons to the ski resorts much more easily.I can only imagine what the 2.5 would do. If I could have found a good donor for a TDI I would go that way but the conversion cost is much higher. Which ever way you go it's fun and the rewards are great. I think the stock vanagon engine was great when the speed limit was 55 but with it being 75 the stock engine must go. Good luck. |
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levi Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005 Posts: 5522 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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Ben that engine is so clean it's disgusting! How can you live with that thing? _________________ One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
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ftp2leta Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 3271 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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levi wrote: |
Ben that engine is so clean it's disgusting! How can you live with that thing? |
I can't sleep at night Your right, tomorrow is will take some disgusting VW dirty oily dirt stuff from one of the many dead engine i have in the shop and pour some on it.... Haaaaaaaaaa.......ha ha ha, i'm soooooooo bad!!!!
JUST A JOKE!!!!! take it easy
Ben _________________ Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
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FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta |
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fairweather Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2007 Posts: 663 Location: Aspen, CO
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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Unless you really like the challenge of putting a square peg in a round hole get an engine from tencentlife, it's plug and play compared to anything else. No trying to match different coolant lines or wires just hooking the old stuff back up where it came from.
When I was in my teens I put a V8 in my CJ5, it was fun but what a pain in the a@@. I swore to never swap in a non-standard engine again but I'm not to bright so I put a TDI in my van and learned the lesson all over again.
Personally I would probably put in a TDI again but I like the challenge and don't need my van for a daily driver. If I couldn't burn biodiesel I wouldn't do again though. You also need to rebuild/regear your tranny or you'll hate it. |
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regis101 Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2005 Posts: 2078 Location: Livermore, Ca
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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fairweather wrote: |
You also need to rebuild/regear your tranny or you'll hate it. |
No one thinks of the $2k+ needed for the trans when it's a gas to diesel conversion. _________________ Peace, Regis |
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