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Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:01 pm

I'm not trying to be rude but most of you guys on this site work hours and spend countless amounts of money on a 80s water-cooled engine that is out of date and problematic why not just save for the bostig conversion and get the reliablity you want out of your vanagon please no disrespect I'm just curious

Cheers
~DonnieB

Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:10 pm

It just boils down to personal preference i guess some people are sticklers for keeping it all vw you know keeping a wbx'er running is usually cheaper in the short term so that probably makes the decision for some and generally any of the conversions are reliable if done right where the Bostig shines is when it comes time for parts or a new engine if needed plus the kit is DONE
Oh yeah here's all my punctuation marks.......,,,,.....

Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:16 pm

Plus a Bostig converted van drives very differently than a WBX. 7000 RPM redline. Driving one feels more like driving a Honda. Some like it, some don't. Personal preference.

Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:20 pm

fsf1o1 wrote: I'm not trying to be rude but most of you guys on this site work hours and spend countless amounts of money on a 80s water-cooled engine that is out of date and problematic why not just save for the bostig conversion and get the reliablity you want out of your vanagon please no disrespect I'm just curious

Cheers
~DonnieB

There are several reasons.

1. The Wasserboxer is serviceable by any VW repair shop. This is important to Vanagon owners who aren't mechanics themselves.

2. The Wasserboxer passes emissions inspections. Some states are strict enough that a conversion cannot gain approval.

3. The Wasserboxer is smooth running, has nice mid-range torque, and sounds great.

4. Not all Vanagon owners are huge fans of Ford engines.

5. Wasserboxer engined Vanagons are easier to resell and often sell for the same money as a van that has received a very expensive conversion.

6. A properly put together Wasserboxer can last for 200K plus miles, so there is no durability drawback to keeping it.

I could go on, but you get the idea. It's fine that you think the WBX is outdated and worthless, but a lot of us on here like the engine. It does a decent job of powering the lighter vans, gets good mileage (with a stick shift), and it adds a lot of character to the van.

D

Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:40 pm

Yea I understand now just didn't get it before I'm like why in the world are these guys putting themselves through he'll when they don't have too. No offense just curious for me I can't wait to drop a ztec in my van :)

Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:53 pm

Only because I like the 173hp Subaru more :D It fits in the engine compartment like it was meant to be in there, has twice the power of the waterboxer, and significantly more than the Bositig.

But I'd still take a Bostig over a waterboxer.

Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:57 pm

WBX just seems like alot of heart break and crying and tears involved id rather just save and drop a ztec in there. thats just me.

Thu Sep 01, 2011 9:02 pm

Its what i did. Though i never had a heartache with my WBX. I bought the van on 4/20 with the WBX, put maybe 100 miles on it and then took it apart for my Bostig Conversion. I wouldnt bash any particular conversion or staying stock. I wanted to stay stock i thought, but the best builders have long wait times and i had a goal to drive this thing from Miami to Nova Scotia by the end of summer. (i did complete that goal just last week) I did everything mechanical on the car and had the engine bay prepped and ready for the bostig. Received the kit on a Tuesday night, and i had it running by monday morning. I purchased the van already knowing that i was going to get the bostig.

Really happy with my choice.

Thu Sep 01, 2011 9:29 pm

I'll chime in on this one.....

I've went back and forth between all of the conversions for my Syncro and considered building up a nice WBX too. I haven't decided which route I'm going to take yet, because they all have their pros and cons.

What I like about the WBX is the fact that they're a truly unique engine. The design is great, with the few flaws we all know about. If I can figure out a way to get some decent power out of it, with reasonable fuel economy, without completely draining my bank account, its the route I will go. So far it seems like this goal is out of my price range, considering what I want, so I'm pretty certain ill be doing the Subaru conversion.

I am not sure why people talk so ill of these engines...Mine has over 200k on it and sounds great. Definitely not powerful, but what about the simplicity of no timing belt?
I'm really intrigued by its design and just like the fact that it's different.

I also have a 86 Toyota 4x4 truck with the 22RE motor that everyone talks about. Do they run forever...yes...mine has 293,000 on it, but it does leak lots of oil. One area being out of the timing chain cover, which has a bizzare gasket/sealing design. It also is pretty gutless...Where I'm going with this is the perfect & most reliable 22RE engine is not perfect. Same with the WBX.

Thu Sep 01, 2011 9:38 pm

Bro I have a 22r in my 1989 Toyota le moon buggie

Fri Sep 02, 2011 6:27 am

Any time you put a different engine in your Vanagon you are re-engineering the vehicle and have to manage all the components to make sure they work well together. Even with the popular Subaru conversion (like mine) unexpected things come up. Despite all of the modifications suggested by various people on line I still get a check engine light for the neutral switch in my installation. Yes, I have added a switch but the ECM still, some times throws a code.

I use this problem to illustrate some of the things you have to deal with when you re-engineer something. I WILL figure this problem out and in the mean time I am really enjoying the extra power and fuel efficiency of the Subie engine. I like the challenge, but if you are not ready or don't want to deal with issues like this than maybe one should stick to the stock engine. There is more than one "engine conversion gone horribly wrong" threads on The Samba, just read them to see why one might want to stick with the stock set-up.

Fri Sep 02, 2011 6:36 am

Been a long time since I owned a Subaru, had a new 73, back in 73, had a used 78 back in about 80. Many engine problems with both these vehicles, so a Subie conversion still has a little bad taste. I realize this was WAAAY long ago, back before a lot of you guys were driving, or walking for that matter. My WBX was relapced and the new one has less than 40k miles, so something I keep in the back of my mind, but not something I am concerned with at this point.

I will say, For most of it's life, I loved that 73!

Looking back, should have bought the VW then.

Fri Sep 02, 2011 6:58 am

fsf1o1 wrote: WBX just seems like alot of heart break and crying and tears involved id rather just save and drop a ztec in there. thats just me.

and i imagine you already have a bostig in your vanagon

Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:23 am

YAECT.

Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:31 am

Damn! I'm starting to think the moderators of this site should just instantly lock all engine debate threads and just have one in the stickies. Seems like about once a week somebody starts a 'which-enigine-is-better' or a 'MY-engine-is-better-thread.' Jeez :?

Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:46 am

somebody call smokey the bear theres some firestarters round here

Fri Sep 02, 2011 8:13 am

GBA 88West LA wrote: somebody call smokey the bear theres some firestarters round here

You're d&*n right son, and it's YOU! EVERYBODY knows it'a Smokey Bear - NOT smokey THE bear!!! :twisted:

Fri Sep 02, 2011 8:15 am

psych-illogical wrote: Damn! I'm starting to think the moderators of this site should just instantly lock all engine debate threads and just have one in the stickies. Seems like about once a week somebody starts a 'which-enigine-is-better' or a 'MY-engine-is-better-thread.' Jeez :?

Well... It is a very important topic. Besides A WHOLE WEEK has gone by and maybe some new technology or new engine has been invented...

Fri Sep 02, 2011 8:29 am

Why in the wide, wide world of sports do so many grown men insist on wearing panties around here? I'll never understand!

Fri Sep 02, 2011 8:44 am

Williamtaylor33 wrote:
Oh yeah here's all my punctuation marks.......,,,,.....
:D