Vanagon Conversion

[rockandsnowjunkie]

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.

[djbside]

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"

[RichBenn]

[Perales]

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)

[HeftySmurf]

Save your self some work and check out Bostig Engineering
_________________
-Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig

[Grizzly_black]

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

[meyervw]

[levi]

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

[wgargan]

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

[?Waldo?]

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

[a914622]

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

[airkooledchris]

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.)

[HeftySmurf]

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

[jackbombay]

[ftp2leta]

[Ryan Keating]

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.

[levi]

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

[ftp2leta]

[fairweather]

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.

[regis101]