has anyone done the bostig conversion?

DRAPER · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:55 am Post subject: bostig dipstick

Took about 20 minutes to modify the dipstick during the install to adjust for the access door in my Doka (which is larger than the Vanagon). No reason it won't also work with a van. All the parts are just modified from stock. I did have a different handle and decided to use it instead. I can send photo's upon request, as I can't seem to post them here.

Samboni · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:53 pm Post subject: Bostig ground clearance

There was a question regarding ground clearance so I took some measurements:
1987 VW Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
(lower from factory with the alloy rims)
Bostig 2.0 Conversion installed in 2009
Rear Wheelarch hight: 28"
Cradle to ground: 4 3/4"
Oilpan to ground: 4 1/2" (lowest point)
Tires: Rear: 195R14C Front: 185R14C
I drive gravel and dirt roads daily and sometimes off road (as a farmer would do to get to a tractor, not as a 4x4 enthusiast would do in Moab) and have put 4200 miles on this conversion. Yes, I have bottomed out, but I haven't done any damage, other then scratched some paint of the cradle and oilpan.
There is a Oilpan that comes with the conversion, that has better ground clearance, but I decided to leave the Ford Focus Oilpan on there until I got better feeling for the used motor. So this is probably the lowest you can get, but in all honesty, it is not as bad as it looks, when you remember not to stradle high objects in the middle of the van.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Samboni · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:26 pm Post subject: Feedback on my Bostig conversion

I bought a 2WD 87 Carat on ebay in March 2006. It was a good buy and I love it. But it had the wrong coolant in it and I knew on the 1000 mile drive home already, that I had a headgasket problem. So I babied it and checked and replaced coolant very regularly, never drove top speed and got along just fine. Even took it on a road trip from Canada to Arizona and back. No problem, just check and top up coolant every morning and hope for the best.
In Winter of 2008 I was late for a doctors appointment and gave it the pedal to the metal treatment. Ran great, then blew some plastic end from the cooling system and overheated. At that point I didn't raelly care anymore since I had known a long time I would need a motor. I had spent a lot of time comparing and researching conversions.
For me the Bostig seemed the right one. I am not a mechanic but have learned to find information for my Van on the web and do some stuff myself. The Bostig team is absolutely amazing when it comes to instruction videos, and helping on the phone. Extremely courteous, professionell and very knowledgable. I was able to put the motor in myself due to the good instructions.
So far I have 4200 miles on it and I love the fact, that I do not have to check the vitals of my engine everyday. The power is not amazing but ample. Ground clearance is a bit of an issue and I just decided to order the High clearance Oilpan which is optional.
Cost also tends to be a liitle higher if you are in Canada, since our parts stores and wreckers charge quite a bit more then in the USA. So the used motor and other parts (used alternator, AC compressor, Air filter box, etc) all cost a little more in Canada.
This conversion was not cheap but gives new life to a vehicle we as a family really like.

Alaric.H · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:37 am Post subject:

RCWesty · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 11:02 pm Post subject:

I would love to do the bostig conversion for my syncro if I could get it through our smog regulations here in Reno. I guess I'll have to wait until I move, but hopefully they are working on it for the potential CA buyers. My guess that what works there will also be compliant here.
_________________
89 Burgundy Westy (sold)
90 Blue Syncro Westy

climberjohn · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:33 pm Post subject:

Alaric,

That looks like the highest ground clearance I've yet seen with a Bostig, most impressive.

Can you tell us what your wheel center to top of wheel arch measurement is, please?

Related thread:
Bostig drivers, show us photos of your rear end
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=367076

Thanks,
-CJ
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

BillM · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject:

I just installed the same kit. I live in driving distance to Bostig so I went
and picked up my kit. It has all the new 2010 stuff. The same intake
adapter as you have pictured,the new thermostat housing,dual starter option,stainless custom heat shield,hc oil pan,obd extension,front Bostig tranny mount, and the new cradle.
The new cradle is like an x-wing fighter and looks very well designed. I'll tell you how friendly it is for a transmission swap tomorrow. All in all very happy with the kit. I am wishing I trimmed the "firewall" a bit before installation. I may lay a tarp over the motor and still do it.
I'd also liket o replace the Van-cafe stainless pipes I have with a custom set from Terry K this fall. i have yet to ask him but I would like the oustide diameter of the 86-91 plastic pipes . I want them to end in the engine compartment like the earlier metal pipes did. The icing on the cake would be if a 5/8 nipple could be added for the heater core return line. It would get rid of the plastic t.
Anyways,I love the Zetec so far. I used a new motor I got from the Jim and Brady so I am slowly breaking it in. I just developed a problem with not being able to shift into 3/4 gear so I t h ink the slider is going bad.
It sure does look nice in your van Alaric.H Hope you have a blast with it.

Bill

Alaric.H · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 11:24 am Post subject:

New Bostig products
It is not a great picture but you can make out a couple of new billet pieces from Bostig a over flow canister a intake manifold and one of the best engine carrier bars ever put on a vanagon. Pretty impressive clearance.

squeegee_boy · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject:

[quote="mtnwater"]

candyman · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject:

awesome thanks guys!

mtnwater · Samba Member Joined: August 15, 2008 Posts: 215

[quote="squeegee_boy"]

vwlovr · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject:

squeegee_boy · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:45 pm Post subject:

240Gordy · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject:

there are aftermarket dry sump systems available for the zetec.
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR

candyman · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

well,
looks like i may be headed down the zetec route this winter. my question to the syncro guys with zetecs, What are you doing about your stock skid plate? will they fit with some mods? I am concerned about having my drivelline exposed

HeftySmurf · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:18 am Post subject:

Mad span
I spoke to a guy who attemting to do so. Some different steps need to be taken. He said he has spoke with Jim and Brady and they are working on it..... Curious to see how it turns out. Thatd suck if you do the install and it doesn't pass....
_________________
-Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig

madspaniard · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:13 am Post subject:

Changing subject,

I'm not sure this has been asked or answered before, are we ever going to have a Bosting option in California? I mean, I'm drooling over the idea of having a Zetec reliable engine in my Westy but it needs to be CA legal for me to go for it....I bet there is a good market in Cali for the Bosting guys, there are plenty of Vanagons around here and engines are getting older by the day
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

hiram6 · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:58 am Post subject:

I'm with smurf on this one.

Baja bug = air cooled, right? Vanagon/Zetec = water-cooled. You really up to the engineering involved here?

I know I wouldn't be.
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.

HeftySmurf · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 6:54 pm Post subject:

Dude, you need to rethink what you are doing......
Bostig makes a Vanagon conversion, not a Baja all that will need to be customized......
So you will need to make numerous custom parts to do what you speak of
which will cost thousands of dollars....... Brick wall

Your budget is 2k and the bostig set up into a vangon is around 5k ] d'oh!

_________________
-Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig

vindeta · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

yea Kennedy does make an adapter for it.

i really dont know a whole lot about doing engine swaps, so if someone could kinda explain the overall procedure or if theres a thread somewhere with alot of good info on it that would be great to.
so what all do i need?

ill have the engine, all the wiring harness, radiator, ecu (computer), everything else to make the car go, it was a running, driving car before.
(he only wants $150 for it)

so in theory i just need to "unplug" it from the escort and "plug" it into my car??

is that correct?? is it just a matter of wiring it in?
(besides hooking up the radiator)

thanks alot guys i really dont know much about this so any effort you put to explain it is appreciated.
_________________
75 baja in progress!
http://www.azbaja.com/ForumsPro/viewtopic/t=5767.html
build thread^^


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