Any Tencent/Vanistan Engine owners in the Bay area?

[mekanism]

What kind of reliability do you get with a Tencent engine? Are there any customers that have, say, 100k on one? I have been doing research on all of the swaps and have looked into staying with the WBX as well, looking to get the best bang for my buck. And how long is the wait list?

[regis101]

I am going to assume that he can build a nice 2.2 that will pass the Cali smog ritual if you tell him that's what you need.

Heck. Just put more Cat on it. We've been doing that forever on any post 76 vehicle ever since Arnie and his boyz removed the 25 and out rule.
_________________
Peace, ~R

[hbmbguy]

[BetaVan]

[dhaavers]

[BetaVan]

@Ahwahnee - The hose below the one you have pointed out. The PO had a metal H Pipe made that I don't think is to spec. There was also a rigid plastic pipe connecting what should have been one hose. It's the hose that connects to the water pump. It has 2 bends - hence the need for a diy rig job. Don't know if they couldn't find the OEM hose at the time, but that's what happened.

Also, coolant tank with all the hoses attached was a bit loose - as in sort of free floating I think what happened was as we drove down some fire roads, hitting big bumps made everything move back and forth. A touch here, a touch there, and before you know it, I was smelling coolant at a rest stop.

Tank system tightened down and a new hose.

[mbwesty]

What's the HP and torque on the tencent engine? I am looking into a upgrade/conversion for my 88 Westy. From what I read GW is very expensive when compared to Subura/Zetec/etc, but I think that's from couple years back as I think they are all about the same now. I can swap the engines myself, and I am gearing towards an upgraded Waterboxer 2.5 as my kids will be able to get mechanic to work on it when I am dead...I need more power than my stocked 2.1 and I can find data and reviews on the 2.5 but can't seems to find the spec. on this highly praised tencent engine. Please let me know. Thanks! Tim

[Ahwahnee]

[BetaVan]

@ Olivelawn - It's possible. I may have a gig that day (photographer). Still waiting to hear back from client, but if not, I think I will try and make it. I'd like to hear about the trip to SA and look at other vans

[olivelawn]

@Betavan-Are you coming up to Ocean Beach for the 8/25 send off in the new TC equipped Westy in 2 weeks? I'd love to have a look.

[BetaVan]

[stevey88]

Betavan,

Why are you changing your engine? I thought yours was recently rebuilt before you bought your van.
_________________
Steve

[insyncro]

They are smooth runners from my personal experience.

[syncroid]

[Crankey]

wow, this is a great looking WBX !

[BetaVan]

[ZimZam]

That pop top camper is ingenious. sorry for the continuation of hijack
_________________
'85 Cabriolet (Margo)
'87 Westy (Heidi)
'75 Porsche 911S Targa

"Nobody trusts anyone, or why did they put tilt on a pinball machine.”
- Steve McQueen
"It's just metal, when rusted and dented , anything you will do will be better. Stop being afraid. What they (VW) did many year ago is not better then what you will do now." -Ben

[tencentlife]

That sure looks like it. The guy's name is Jason, and he was getting it together for a show last year, I shipped him the engine in June. It having my exhaust would be a sure way to confirm.

dhaavers, I don't like to put up numbers because, like Ben said so well, it's not about numbers. But numbers attract bench racers like garbage attracts rats, and I'm not sure which I dislike more.

Ben has one thing wrong, because he's too kind, and that is that I'm too humble. No, I'm damn proud of what I do, and I don't like it being picked apart by self-important people who will never be my customers.

But, I have published my dyno chart and peak numbers a couple times here already, so it would be unfair if I didn't admit that. Here are 2 links to threads that I think contained useful discussions (and not just because I come off looking good!) where you can read the info. A quick search would turn these up for you but I'll do you the favor:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=383201

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=421679


Any prospective customer is welcome to ask me for that info any time they want. The OP had already asked and I had sent him the dyno chart before he even began this thread. I think he's smart to ask if someone can let him test-drive one, I'm only sorry there's no one near him that can oblige. Reviewing my PM's just now I realise that I neglected to answer his followup question about owners in the bay area, had I done so this thread might not be here.

My smug comparison to Zetec above is based on info Jim used to have on his site, and also on the impression of one of my customers who test-drove a local NA Zetec Vanagon and mine, by the time he shifted mine into third gear he was saying how much more torque it had. The numbers supported his impressions, I wouldn't say anything based on just a seat-of-the-pants. That said, I have to reiterate how much admiration I have for Jim and his crew and what they are doing, I think it's fantastic and no one else has developed such a complex and complete systems approach to the conversion question. Kudos to them. Once again, it's not only about power, their passion and dedication shines.
_________________
Shop for unique and useful Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
also available at VanCafe.com!

Please don't PM here, I will not reply.

Experience is death to doctrine.

[Baxta]

[nelinor]