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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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 Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2025 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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| HunterTheBusHunter wrote: |
| Can’t wait to see it run. And curious what you think of the 266 cam. My ABA long block is freshly built on the stand waiting to go in my 90 Carat, but am wondering if I should swap the stock cam out for the 266 before I install. |
Yeah, I'm excited to see how it moves! This vanagon is a tin top GL, so i won't have to push around a lot of weight either.
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111
Last edited by vw62kid on Wed Oct 29, 2025 7:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2025 7:47 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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Well, the vanagon won't be running as soon as I was thinking. I flushed the ATF and serviced the automatic portion of the transmission. Decided to service the differential, and didn't realize there isn't a drain plug on these things. Had to drop the pan. More than likely it was the original gear oil in there so I'm glad I went this route anyways. Just a small delay. In the meantime I'll he filling my coolant system up with a vacuum fill tool.
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111 |
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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 19183
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2025 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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| You’d probably have better luck sealing the pan without a gasket. Automotive sealer like Victor Reinz. If you use the gasket, I’d still use a film of sealer. |
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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2025 8:26 am Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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Got the diff pan gasket on and filled the diff!
Everything is now ready to start. I tried to start it, and it did not start. No starter, and no fuel pump. I did hear the throttle body actuate so i assume the ECU is receiving power. I took the starter out and bench tested it, ended up being a bad starter. I have one on the way so I'll have that replaced today. As far as the fuel pump goes, I'm told it will not receive power until the ecu detects that the engine is spinning through the crank sensor. So I'm hoping the starter will fix both issues. My only suspicion about it is that I didn't hear it prime. Either it did and I didn't hear it, or it didn't prime at all. My plan of attack is to replace the starter, and try again today. If it still doesn't start, I'll investigate the fuel pump. To investigate I'll backprobe to see if the ecu is sending power to the FP, jump the relay to check if the FP is in working order, and check my switched 12v source.
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111 |
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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 4:43 am Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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ITS ALIVE!!!!
I replaced the starter last night. Found out this ecu primes the FP as the engine is rotating. I put it through a successful and stressful break in procedure. I have a lot of coolant leaks to take care of, and the distributor is slightly out of time because it idles very low and has a camshaft code. Other than that, it's running! I'll post pictures as soon as I get it on the road! Can't wait to feel the power it makes.
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111 |
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Kdj
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2017
Posts: 350
Location: Naptown
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 6:40 am Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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Congratulations been following for awhile! It’s a great feeling when your hard work comes to life!  |
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uberaudi
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013
Posts: 663
Location: Hi-top Country
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 9:25 am Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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Nice work!! So fun with the first start! You might verify your cam is timed correctly as I believe the dizzy is fully controlled by the ecu, meaning there is no adjustment you can make mechanically on it.
Keep up the good work!
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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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| uberaudi wrote: |
Nice work!! So fun with the first start! You might verify your cam is timed correctly as I believe the dizzy is fully controlled by the ecu, meaning there is no adjustment you can make mechanically on it.
Keep up the good work! |
I verified my crank and cam are mechanically in time, but I am still having a rough idle. When I rev it, it sounds perfect, and then holds perfect idle for a few seconds afterwards. But after a few seconds it starts to have a rough idle again. My fuel pump is screaming for its life so I'll replace it and the filter to see if that could help.
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111 |
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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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I fixed all of the coolant leaks! I was going to drive it today but my brake fluid mysteriously got extremely low. Also my brake pedal goes to the floor. So I'm going to have to fill and bleed my brakes before I can drive it. Also will be replacing the fuel pump and filter. All while filling and bleeding the coolant system. Hopefully once all of that is done it'll be road worthy!
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111 |
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uberaudi
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013
Posts: 663
Location: Hi-top Country
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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| vw62kid wrote: |
| uberaudi wrote: |
Nice work!! So fun with the first start! You might verify your cam is timed correctly as I believe the dizzy is fully controlled by the ecu, meaning there is no adjustment you can make mechanically on it.
Keep up the good work! |
I verified my crank and cam are mechanically in time, but I am still having a rough idle. When I rev it, it sounds perfect, and then holds perfect idle for a few seconds afterwards. But after a few seconds it starts to have a rough idle again. My fuel pump is screaming for its life so I'll replace it and the filter to see if that could help. |
Have you calibrated the throttle body yet? That could be giving you some oddball idle characteristics.
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vw62kid
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Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 8:06 am Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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| uberaudi wrote: |
| Have you calibrated the throttle body yet? That could be giving you some oddball idle characteristics. |
Oh yeah good point! I've had a few people recommend that now. I'll do it through VCDS here's shortly. I'm having a hard time believing that my timing could be off mechanically considering it will run perfectly fine and then have a rough idle. I'll do that throttle body adaptation soon here!
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111 |
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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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Bled the brakes today, and drove it out of the garage. It seems the ECU is taking time to learn the throttle body position and timing, but it is adjusting. It is running a lot better now! So with that being said, I drove it all around town today! It is a blast to drive. No rocket ship by any means, but definitely faster than the old wbx that was in there.
I'll post cooler pics once the break in period is over and small things are taken care of.
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111 |
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uberaudi
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013
Posts: 663
Location: Hi-top Country
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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Woohoo!!! Nice work!
The driveability, not the power increase, is what really makes an ABA so well suited to a Vanagon. Its like driving a real modern car haha. They should've come this way from the factory, or at least with this level of EFI control. Game changer!
If you will find yourself on dusty roads in the future, you may want to block off that passenger d-pillar for your open intake and have it pull in fresh air from the vent above. These Vanagon engine bays get dusty real quick! One trip to the desert and you'll be happy you did!
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vw62kid
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Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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| Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2025 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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| uberaudi wrote: |
Woohoo!!! Nice work!
The driveability, not the power increase, is what really makes an ABA so well suited to a Vanagon. Its like driving a real modern car haha. They should've come this way from the factory, or at least with this level of EFI control. Game changer!
If you will find yourself on dusty roads in the future, you may want to block off that passenger d-pillar for your open intake and have it pull in fresh air from the vent above. These Vanagon engine bays get dusty real quick! One trip to the desert and you'll be happy you did! |
Thanks!! Yeah so far the power increase is definitely noticeable. I feel like it'd pull harder if I fixed my dragging drum brake and inflated my tires all the way haha. That'll be when I can get a good gauge on how much faster it is over the wbx. And yeah great idea! I'll definitely be building a guard plate later on for it.
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111 |
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vw62kid
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Topeka, KS
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| Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2025 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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So far I am about 20 miles with the new engine. So far I love it! Definitely makes more power. Once the break in period is over and I fix a few things around the vanagon like my dragging brakes, I'll have an accurate perspective of how much faster it really is compared to the wbx. Until then, I am putting miles on it and having fun with it!
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62 Ragtop Project (Anthracite Grey)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597378&highlight=
59 Logo Single Cab Project (L345 Light Grey)
90 Vanagon tin-top ABA convserion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...1a11892111 |
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uberaudi
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013
Posts: 663
Location: Hi-top Country
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| Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2025 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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Rad! In a lightweight tiptop I bet it really shines! When I put a Techtonics cam and had my ecu chip tuned in my old ABA, my redline was bumped to 7200! It had some pretty decent pull up there and sounded great while doing so. Have fun with it!
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metropoj
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Joined: April 23, 2004
Posts: 1345
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 6:57 am Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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This is a nice little project you got rolling along here. Nice hanger design on the install.
| ?Waldo? wrote: |
| Nice job on the exhaust hanger. You are correct that hanging off the engine rather than the body is the way to go. |
Funny though, as the TiiCo Inline 4 conversion progressed, it was changed from mounting to the engine directly to hanging off the body. Vibration from the engine was blamed for cracking the exhaust header.
Overall, the TiiCo exhaust header was of very poor quality thin steel and mine cracked with both engine and body hanging systems, lol.
Now, I am doing a simple 1.8l install on an 86 Automatic and trying to decide which way to go for hanging the exhaust ... so this is interesting bit to digest.
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86 TiiCo powered Westy. |
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?Waldo?
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Posts: 10166
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 10:27 am Post subject: Re: ABA Vanagon Conversion |
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Vibration from the engine will obviously always act on the exhaust or at least the side that is connected to the engine. Connecting some of the exhaust to the body will cause vibration to be transmitted from the engine, through the exhaust, and to the body. The engine moves a significant amount relative to the body and connecting some of the exhaust to the body adds stress to the exhaust due to the movement of the engine. Hanging only off the engine allows the exhaust to move with the engine. It is obviously possible to hang the exhaust off the body successfully as most cars are built that way out of necessity due to having the engine in the front of the vehicle and to allow the exhaust to exit the rear of the vehicle, but in situations where it is not necessary (engine in rear) it is intrinsically better to hang entirely off the engine.
Last edited by ?Waldo? on Wed Nov 19, 2025 9:47 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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