TheSamba.com :: View topic - tencentlife/Vanistan engine install thread

Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:38 pm

vanjoe wrote: Did you get 10 cents throttle body?
Yep, it's a piece of art. :)

Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:23 pm

Congrats on that. But I am going to have to say I am jealous. I was saving for one but going through a bad divorce right now so its on hold. A piece of art is what it looks like in his ad.

Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:44 am

tencentlife wrote: who would have guessed it's the lurkers who have all the money!

Well...Time is money. So judging by how much time the regulars "spend" on here, that wouldn't leave much extra...

Sun Sep 25, 2011 10:11 am

Makes sense to me.

Sun Sep 25, 2011 11:33 am

ftp2leta wrote: tencentlife wrote:
If you had simply preceded this statement with "I think..." or "I believe that..." then I wouldn't feel like you were putting words in my mouth (I find that a little irritating).

Ha ha ha.

Why using those pushrods tube anyway, just asking!

Ben

use these instead:http://www.launchpnt.com/portfolio/transportation/magnetically-actuated-engine-valve/

gotta laugh at this video!http://awackydo.tv/WACKY_VIDEO_ARCHIVE_2/Entries/2010/9/18_RACING_FUNNY.html

Sun Sep 25, 2011 5:15 pm

Ok, so this morning I was finally able to acquire the replacement exhaust donut from an O'Reilly auto parts store. Headed up to the van, and the mechanic was already there dropping the right bolts for me to swap the donut in. I love this guy, and the fact that he was willing to come in on a Sunday to help me wrap this project up is awesome.

Cranked in the donut, and then re-tightened all the exhaust system bolts to make sure we're good and tight. We then tweaked the fuel mix since now we're on all four cylinders - the mechanic was just laughing at how far off it was after our adjustment yesterday.

The engine now runs extremely smooth at idle (~1050rpm in neutral, ~850rpm in gear) and the flat spot in the 2k RPM range is now gone completely.

After getting the fuel mix re-adjusted, I decided to go hit a gas station to clock out the miles per gallon from yesterday's poorly adjusted driving -- 11.5MPG. :( I'll update with better numbers once I fill up again.

Talk about a blast to drive around now. On the drive back from the mechanic, I zoomed past what looked like an 87 Westy on I-405. After I shot past him at 70mph (!!!), I slowed down on a downhill stretch and he caught up -- but then we hit a hill. :) I continued up the hill starting at 55, accelerating to 65 -- while the other Westy was slowing down on the way up the hill.

Next project is getting the VDO gauges (oil temp/pressure) installed. I think I have a good mounting solution, but just need to go by TAP Plastics tomorrow to get some shim plastic, then I'll just need to run the wires.

Oh, and since folks asked who the mechanic was -- Porbug Automotive up in Lynnwood. I've been taking my Westy to George up there since I got it in March 2010 on the recommendations of lots of other Seattle-area Westy drivers, and I couldn't be happier.

I didn't have time today to grab any good video (too much fun just driving), and the audio on my camera is horrible - anyone in the Seattle area an AV guy that can help get some good audio of this engine+exhaust online?

Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:28 pm

More musings from the crowds. :)

A guy I work with has been considering a Syncro Westy, and some time ago we had the opportunity to check out a 1.8T converted Syncro Westy. My coworker did the driving then (you wouldn't want to see me at the controls of a stick shift!), and so I was curious how he'd compare that to my new ride.

I took him for a spin today. Without me asking for a comparison, he immediately made the comment that this engine and exhaust combo have more pull off the line than the 1.8T syncro did. Granted, the experience with the 1.8T syncro was a few months ago, but that was the comment.

I don't want this to become a conversion bashing thread, but I do think it is useful having comparisons - and, as others have noted, there's not been a lot of talk on the threads here about real experiences with the 2.2 WBX from tencentlife.

Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:00 pm

Sounds like it's time for a showdown! Is the SIR 1/4 mile in Kent still running? Let's see...Marius and his Vanistan vs the 1.8T and Darryl and his Bostig Turbo vs a Suby 2.5. That would make for a great day at the track! 8)

Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:34 pm

mariusstrom wrote:

I don't want this to become a conversion bashing thread, but I do think it is useful having comparisons - and, as others have noted, there's not been a lot of talk on the threads here about real experiences with the 2.2 WBX from tencentlife.

Oh no, you didn't!

After your post above I really hope this thread does not go south with engine conversion comparisons,:agrue: please keep it on topic...please!

Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:39 pm

photogdave wrote: Sounds like it's time for a showdown! Is the SIR 1/4 mile in Kent still running? Let's see...Marius and his Vanistan vs the 1.8T and Darryl and his Bostig Turbo vs a Suby 2.5. That would make for a great day at the track! 8)
I'd be in. :)

I can't seem to find anything on SIR's website about using the track to test slow vehicles. It's all geared towards semi-pro and pro racing, it seems.

Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:18 am

madspaniard wrote: mariusstrom wrote:

I don't want this to become a conversion bashing thread, but I do think it is useful having comparisons - and, as others have noted, there's not been a lot of talk on the threads here about real experiences with the 2.2 WBX from tencentlife.

Oh no, you didn't!

After your post above I really hope this thread does not go south with engine conversion comparisons,:agrue: please keep it on topic...please!

I completed a Vanistan replacement, broke it in and drove it against a few Subaru powered vans.
The Vanistan, although very smooth and more powerful than a stock waterboxer, did not finish first in any of the tests I did.

Apples to oranges I feel.
Nothing beats displacement and my converted vans have far more than a 2.2 waterboxer.

dylan

Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:03 am

insyncro wrote: Nothing beats displacement

...except increased charge pressure.

Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:11 am

photogdave wrote: Sounds like it's time for a showdown! Is the SIR 1/4 mile in Kent still running? Let's see...Marius and his Vanistan vs the 1.8T and Darryl and his Bostig Turbo vs a Suby 2.5. That would make for a great day at the track! 8)

Count me in...I'd love to watch this!

Scott

Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:00 am

The name went back to the original track name, Pacific Raceways, back in 2002. http://www.pacificraceways.com/Index.aspx
I don't know if there will be any Friday night bracket racing scheduled for the rainy season but there's a test 'n' tune at Mission next Friday! http://www.missionraceway.com/
There's quite a bit of 'informal' drag racing on Fraser Highway in Langley. Its where I found that my van is a quick as a 350 powered Monte Carlo with headers - at least until 55 mph or so... ;)

FYI - Not dissing anyone's engine choice but its kinda pointless to be trying to compare one engine in a Syncro with a different engine in a two wheel drive van - there are a LOT of differences between the two platforms.

And yeah, I'll represent in the 2WD 2.5 Subaru class! :)

Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:17 am

Although I do think it would compare favorably with a 2.2 Suby, especially off the line, I want to make it clear that I'm not making any claims!

Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:19 am

My 2.3 Rocky Jennings engine is also very smooth. It won't pull on the top end as hard as a suby. I think I have more bottom end grunt though. I have a friend w/ a Tiico and otherwise identical syncro to mine. I have better power and torque below 3500 rpms. He can pull away on the freeway with his higher rpm range. I can get up to 50 mph faster.

Very happy so far. :)

s

Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:29 am

Andrew A. Libby wrote: insyncro wrote: Nothing beats displacement

...except increased charge pressure.

:D , couldn't agree more, simply adding displacement (and weight) just isn't what it used to be.

When Tencent put the hammer down at the top of the Schafer Switchbacks during Syncro Solstice all I was thinking was "Wow, that was fast" Love the one you're with and you got the pick of the litter.

Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:53 pm

Okay, I admit, I am a lurker, but I am glad there is now a dedicated thread, because I have one of Chris's engines on order. Unfortunately, it won't be ready until January. It will go in my '90 Westy which I bought new, well, 21 years ago and it now has just over 200K miles.
I intend to do the install myself and I have 3 months to get ready. It may take me that long, because at 73, I don't move too fast.
Anyway, I am working on getting the exhaust off, actually just spraying everything with PB Blaster and loosening what I can reach from underneath., and I have a question. I intend to remove the cat and muffler before I drop the engine, but how much of the rest of the exhaust system can I or should I plan on removing while still in the van? And where are the best places to separate the components?
The exhaust is all original, in good shape and I intend to re-use it.
I am in Northern Arizona, Clarkdale, in case there is someone who would like to volunteer to help me out if I get stuck :).
Thanks for reading,
Jerry

Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:18 pm

fairweather wrote: Andrew A. Libby wrote: insyncro wrote: Nothing beats displacement

...except increased charge pressure.

:D , couldn't agree more, simply adding displacement (and weight) just isn't what it used to be.

When Tencent put the hammer down at the top of the Schafer Switchbacks during Syncro Solstice all I was thinking was "Wow, that was fast" Love the one you're with and you got the pick of the litter.

Right.
Have you guys driven a Subaru powered Vanagon?
Apples to oranges.

Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:23 am

I suppose if Chris built six cylinder engines, then it would be relevant to this thread, but...