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dustyrhodes Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2010 Posts: 38 Location: Venice, CA
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 12:20 pm Post subject: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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Hey everyone,
Just picked up an '89 westy and unfortunately, it seems like the motor is bad. I'm probably going to just have it rebuilt but I'm window shopping engine swaps.
I don't love the raised deck lid, but the 1.8T seems like a great option. GMW and SAH have very similar prices for crate engine installs and both are CARB legal.
Does anyone know how different the kits are? As far as I can tell from what limited information is out there, the GMW option comes with stainless exhaust be default and uses a raised lip on the deck lid vs raising the whole rear area.
Other than that???
Thanks |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12103 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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A W K W A R D |
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dustyrhodes Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2010 Posts: 38 Location: Venice, CA
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 2:29 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
A W K W A R D |
What's awkward about my question? _________________ 1989 Vanagon Westfalia |
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ScottShelley Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2012 Posts: 596 Location: California
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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You will get a great job either way. I have talked to both Stephen and Paul, they are both great guys. I would go visit the shops and talk to them. They both had examples of their installs at Syncrofest. I'm guessing the wait might be shorter at GMW. |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11998 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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GMW has diesel style carrier bars made for them while stephan reuses the factory carrier bar. I like the GMW system more as it looks more factory. |
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casey79westfalia Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2003 Posts: 1716 Location: Baltimore
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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I don't think there is much of a difference. I have stephans 1.8t kit and it 'looks as clean and factory as a 1.8t could. I have not driven mine yet so I can only dream of how it will drive. Stephan always answers my questions. I will say this kit is not the easiest thing I have done. The manual is vague in areas and really takes some thought. This conversion is certainly for more advanced mechanics. But it stays vw and the 1.8t motor really just feels right in the vanagon. Stephans kit had an upgrade for stainless exhaust,cruise,ac,chipped. Which produces in the range of 250hp. I chose that version since I was saving money doing the labor myself. Doesn't look like germanworks has a kit out just yet?? I wanted to do the build myself since I was painting my own van and doing the rest of the restoration at my shop. Not to mention Stephan is 2600 miles away. I had stephan regear and rebuild my gear boxes and added a decoupler. _________________ 66 Westfalia
87 Westfalia Syncro "Phoenix"
88 Double Cab
76 Porsche 914
2014 Audi Q7
2010 Tdi Sportwagen
Currently looking for 62 Double Cab, 66 Westfalia Parts!
(Rear seat and pedestal, bumpers, mirrors)
http://www.baycountrymotors.com
My 87 Syncro Westfalia 1.8t Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=418933
"Do it the right way, or you'll pay for it" |
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zeohsix Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2012 Posts: 501 Location: United States
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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syncrodoka wrote: |
GMW has diesel style carrier bars made for them while stephan reuses the factory carrier bar. I like the GMW system more as it looks more factory. |
The SAH engine mount wouldn't work with my Burley Syncro 16 trailing arms....The GMW mounts were made by Burley and they are like the factory VW diesel carrier bars. I also think the GMW engine cover spacer is better design than the SAH spacer. _________________ I'm Cheap! I'll build that Syncro Westy myself and save money but, my labor is "FREE" especially if I ever go to sell it! One thing is I will know the quality of the parts and labor that went into the build and rest better when I'm actually driving said Westy down the road! |
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Birdcage Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2013 Posts: 203 Location: Collins of fort
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 9:03 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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GMW _________________ @syncrostyle
@optoverland |
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Herr Motorspiele Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2007 Posts: 436
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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Mountain1.8t Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2013 Posts: 340
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 10:39 am Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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To the original poster, are you going to do the install yourself, or have GMW or SAH do the install? I recently installed the SAH kit myself. At the time I was considering which kit to go with, GMW did not offer a DIY kit. That made my decision right there. |
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Reventlos Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2009 Posts: 103 Location: Costa Mesa, CA
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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<The SAH engine mount wouldn't work with my Burley Syncro 16 trailing arms....The GMW mounts were made by Burley and they are like the factory VW diesel carrier bars. I also think the GMW engine cover spacer is better design than the SAH spacer.>
Interesting! I also have Burley's trailing arms, and I'm not aware that Stephan had any issues installing my 1.8T. He did have to alter my Burley skid plate, however, as would be expected. I'll check with Stephan to see if the trailing arms were a problem. |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12103 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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I'm having a hard time understanding how an engine mount of any kind interferes with a trailing arm of any kind. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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greebly Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2009 Posts: 965 Location: Here and now
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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zeohsix wrote: |
I also think the GMW engine cover spacer is better design than the SAH spacer. |
I am rather fond of the storage space that the SAH engine cover spacer provides for small spare parts and tools.
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greebly Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2009 Posts: 965 Location: Here and now
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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I cannot comment on GMW never dealt with them. I can say that you can deal with Stephan with confidence. He really went the extra mile in my dealings with him. |
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ThankYouJerry Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012 Posts: 2271 Location: Shakedown Street
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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greebly wrote: |
I cannot comment on GMW never dealt with them. I can say that you can deal with Stephan with confidence. He really went the extra mile in my dealings with him. |
I can enthusiastically second that! _________________ 1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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modelttouring Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2008 Posts: 26 Location: El Sobrante CA
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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Stephan's autohaus did my van conversion 6 years ago and I am still smiling .Both shops do great work and have good displays of their conversions.You will enjoy retraining your right foot after the conversion is done. |
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Bills85Westy Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2009 Posts: 423 Location: Napa CA
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:00 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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ThankYouJerry wrote: |
greebly wrote: |
I cannot comment on GMW never dealt with them. I can say that you can deal with Stephan with confidence. He really went the extra mile in my dealings with him. |
I can enthusiastically second that! |
Same here.....Mine was a DIY kit from Stephan and he really went the extra mile to be available and answer questions for me.
One question you might ask is "How many now has each shop done?" which might provide a little insight into the depth of their experience in not only installing, but troubleshooting and servicing the vans they've worked on.
I asked Stephan at the last Syncrofest and I think they had produced 81 conversion kits (both sold as kits and sold and installed by SAH).
I know my kit was #75
Bill _________________ 89 Tristar Syncro Doka - White
85 Westfalia Syncro (conversion)
SAH 1.8T Conversion - 2005 AWP
Engine Conversion Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612144&highlight=
85 Doka L345 Grey - 1.9L |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7404 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:28 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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Bills85Westy wrote: |
I know my kit was #75
Bill |
Geeze, so how many of these conversions are out there?
- SAH = 90 or so
- Bostig = 420? 10 - 15 per the early releases = 200 - 300, 15 X RG 8 = 120
So less than 1,000? This is a small market. Or so it seems. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Michael4104 Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2014 Posts: 340 Location: Livermore, Ca
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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How long did it take to do the conversion. From either GMW or SAH? I've heard 6 months to a year? _________________ 1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold |
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mreuter Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2008 Posts: 390 Location: oakland
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Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: German Motor Werks vs Stephan's Auto Haus 1.8t? |
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Difference also is that GMW uses a custom build harness and SAH uses the original 1.8T Harness and modifies it. Another difference is that SAH has a CARB sticker and registration and smog seems to very easy. GMW needs to do trip to the CARB center for every conversion they do but they told me that is not a problem.
I talked to SAH and GMW and only SAH has the DIY kit I need to do for my conversion. GMW is working for 2 years on the DIY version but not out at the last time I talked to them. |
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