1.9 - 2.2 Gowesty Swap

[leewdave]

Hello.

I have a 1983.5 Vanagon Campervan with a 1.9L and standard transmission. Engine has close to 300,000 Miles on it and has been generally low power and needing upgrading.

Last weekend I found a 1986 panel van with a 2.2L Go Westy and rebuilt transmission which seems to have about twice the power my 83 has.

Bought the 86 for its engine and transmission (although its body is the tits which was a surprise). Drove it about 700 kM from where I bought it to where I live (450 Miles) and it just hummed the whole way. Could not be happier with it.

Plan is to swap the 2.2L and tranny into the 83, and then swap the 1.9 and tranny into the 86 and then resell it.

Looking for any advice or things I have not thought of to do the swap. Not planning to swap the EFI systems, any issues with that? I expect the cooling systems will be the most difficult, and realize the O2 sensor differences will need to be addressed, anything else Im missing? Both have very good shapes Radiators, pipes, etc.

Both have good exhaust systems so plan on keeping the exhaust as is (meaning keep the 2.2 exhaust with the 2.2, etc), just changing out the O2 sensors so they work with the different EFI systems.

Have never done anything even close to this but have read a ton and seems doeable. Am I living a fantasy here?

[Phishman068]

That’s going to be a great upgrade to you 83, and such a downgrade to the 86 that no one will buy it. Additionally, it’ll be very expensive to swap both, as you essentially need to update both to 2.1 spec in terms of cooling system (including the front to back pipes) and exhaust.
My recollection is you basically need to run the 2.1 exhaust to run the 2.1 cooling system and vice versa, so even the 1.9 going in the 86 will need a fresh 2.1 exhaust in order to bolt up to the 2.1 cooling pipes and system.

I do know it’s possible to put a 2.1 exhaust and cooling system completely in a 1.9 van and still run digijet. Not sure which intake is used (those are different between the two as well)

You basically have to get two full sets of 2.1 accessories, everything other then the block, to do what you’re doing.
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[hdenter]

Just keep both vehicles stock with regard to EFI, cooling and exhaust and the rest of the accessory parts. Just swap the long blocks. The 2.1(2.2) will run just as well with the diji-jet. There are some minor tweaks to be done. The bolts on the top of the engine where the plenum attaches are different, just bend away or modify the mounting tabs as needed. If you do a search you can find threads on what else is involved, it's very easy. Also, IDN how Canada feels about changes that effect emissions...

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[leewdave]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

In the end I have decided to proceed with this project. The HP and the Transmission upgrade in my campervan is just really worth it for me.

I pulled the engine and tranny from the 86 and am in the process of cleaning it up, changing all the seals, etc. Also going to install the majority of the Manispeed EFI system while its on an engine stand. It showed up last week, excited to start work on that.

I purchased another 2.1 plenum as well as a 2.1 air box as I will need these on the gowesty 2.2 that's going in my 83. Plan is to use the 1.9 exhaust and cooling on the 2.1. As long as I can get the cooling to work (and I'm still a little nervous on this), I'm not worried about the digijet since I'm switching to manispeed.

The Manispeed requires the 2.1 plenum and airbox which is why i bought extras of each.

Anyway, I'm sure ill start to run into lots of real questions as i continue, but really appreciate the help. The removal went pretty well considering i have zero experience in any of this. Lots of reading and taking my time worked so far.

@Phishman068, my plan for the 1.9 is to just run the 2.1 exhaust and water system on that and the 86's dijifant so I don't think it will be that difficult in putting the 1.9 into the 86. I don't think there is any issues there but I'm pretty ignorant of most things when it comes to this.

I have a VW shop in town who has showed interest in buying the 86 once I'm done. Its a transporter panel van is in amazing shape body wise which is why they are interested. I'm personally amazed at its lack of rust and wear on this thing. I expect they will swap the engine again as they do rebuilds etc all the time. I would have just gotten them to do the swaps for me but they quoted $15K+ to do the work and that was a lot more then I wanted to spend on this. They have offered to look them both over once I'm done to make sure there are no obvious concerns with my work.

They are going to use it for a parts delivery van is what I'm told. Ill take a loss due to it having the crappy engine but i think it will only be a couple of $K loss. Think this is still pretty cheap for getting a 2.2 gowesty and upgraded tranny in the campervan IMO.

[E1]

Didn’t the 2.2 in the ‘86 already have the 2.1 plenum and the rest?

We have a 2.1 transplanted into an ‘84, but using all the stock Digijet stuff including the original 1.9 intake until we install the 2.1 manifolds and throttle.

So going that direction’s fine, but I know nothing about putting the 1.9 into a Digifant system. The throttle switches will need addressing, Digijet uses four-into-two wires. Digifant uses a two-into-1 and the mechanic doing the swap didn’t want to tackle that.

Our van was already plumbed like a 2.1 system even when still having the 1.9, which the prior owner spent a bundle on.
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If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s

AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

[Wildthings]

I swapped a 2.1 into my 83 1/2. The 2.1 was complete as far as the exhaust and cooling, but I stayed with the Digijet that was already on the rig. The entire swap was pretty easy.

[leewdave]

"Didn’t the 2.2 in the ‘86 already have the 2.1 plenum and the rest?"

It did/does, however im transferring that stuff to the 1.9 so it works with the digifant in the 86 when i put the 83 engine in it.

I still need another 2.1 plenum and airbox for the manispeed EFI install when i put the 2.2 in the 83.

[leewdave]

Got most of the accessories off of the 2.2 and started cleanup.

Found a rebuild sticker on it, any idea how to get more info based on the sticker?

[hdenter]

VW did all their north American rebuilds in Canada. Unfortunately, they were not always done well.

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[Vanagon Nut]

If you search "yellow sticker" here you get hits. e.g. :

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=340283&highlight=yellow+sticker

Neil.