I want to look for turbo vanagon engines.

[bangmika]

What are my options? I'd like to stay volswagen, to avoid heavy modifications.

[1621]

I'm about to have my engine conversion started in a couple weeks. There is a shop in Sacramento, CA that puts Volkswagen 1.8 Turbos in Vanagons (found in the New Beetles, GTI's, and Audi A4s among others). The stock 1.8T puts out up to 180hp by itself, and after the ignition immobilizer is nullified for the Vanagon by APR (they are one of the leading perfomance chip manufacturers for VW) I'm having it chipped up to roughly 210hp & 240 ft.lbs. of torque. I drove a Syncro Westy with that set-up at their shop and it was SWEET!

I'll definitely post once all is done and I have some miles on it.

Lundy

[gears]

Which Sacramento shop?

[Christopher Schimke]

This one is from Europe somewhere. I don't know too much about it except that it's still a 2.1 and puts out 300hp with torque to match.

_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected]

[aviatorjames]

What a rape-job.
That's the most un-clean, un-functional modification I've ever seen.

_________________
...some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints...

[Kelley]

Looks like a subaru.
_________________
74 rusto-custom type 1 Sedan - SOLD
ZRX1100c3, Mean Green - SOLD

Growler wrote:

I hate people. Are you people? I hate you.

Just trying to remember classic Samba quotes from the 'Days of Yore'

[1621]

Stephan's Autohaus. They mention the 1.8T conversion on their website, but have recently worked out all the bugs in terms of getting the new set-up through the smog referees. Anyhow, take a look.

http://www.stephansautohaus.com/

Lundy

[PNW Westy Owner]

Last year on a trip to the Bay Area, we had a failing starter in our Westy Weekender and made a pit stop at Stephan's Autohaus. Stephan was super nice and he showed me his personal ride which is a SynroWesty with a Tiico in it (at least it had this in it in June '05). While we were there, another customer was working on what was likely their first 1.8T install into a 86 Synro that the owner had put a Westy kit in it (including top) from a 80/81 westy I think.

Anywho, I think the owner of the conversion was living out of another westy in a vacant lot across the way while the work was being done. At the time I was there, the motor was in, but I don't think it cleared the decklid. They were also attempting to install the dash cluster from the 1.8 donor vehicle. The owner had fitted it in the dashspace and had heated up the dash cover and kind of molded it over the new cluster. It seem to fit and it did not look too hacked. At the time I was there, I think they had gotten the motor running and were mainly working out the wiring issues.

[1621]

That's the one I test drove. It has amazing power, feels like a modern vehicle merging on the freeway. I didn't care for the dash setup, so I'm opting to disable the engine immobilizer with the switchblade like key. You're also right on the decklid, it does need to be raised. However, they created a unique setup by taking square tubing and welding it together to make a tool tray with clear plastic lids that fit over the individual compartments. No longer will I need to pull out the kids' car seats and dig around for my tool kit when working on the engine. Anyhow, an altogether sweet setup, and Stephan himself says he'll likely make the switch soon. The customer service has been fanastic so far, and I'm looking forward to posting here in a month or so with the results. Stay tuned.

Lundy

[BenT Syncro]

I've seen Stephan's work. Typically very "stock looking". His blue Westy is a beauty. He had done the 1.8T conversion on Werner S.'s Westy. I believe they are going to do a joint venture to do these conversions.

I am not a uge fan of the 1.8T just because it does not feel as strong as some of the other engines available now. However, if I were going to do one, I'd ask Stephan.


BenT
vanagoncafe.info

[RichBenn]

[1621]

Having driven their first conversion with the 1.8T (not chipped 150hp version in a heavier Syncro Westy), it actually made merging onto the freeway fun again. Perhaps I'm just comparing the experience to my 80hp 1.9, but I think the engine has plenty of pep. I am really excited to test the 200+ hp chipped version in my lighter 2wd Westy as I think the difference will be remarkable, but I guess that's stating the obvious.

My other comparison is of a friends chipped GTI. It definitely has the snap-your-head effect at 2500, but it is also on a significantly lighter vehicle. I did not experience that in the Syncro. Having said all this, only time and experience will tell. I spoke with Stephan a few days ago, and he says he'll be able to start on my van in the last week of September, first week of October time frame. From there it's about a month to complete the conversion and pass it through the referees for a BAR Label. Don't worry, I will be following up on this topic when all is complete.

Lundy

[r39o]

How many hours do they guess it will take? Besides the base engine and goodies from the donor, what else do they need to add? Co$t?

The idea of all VW appeals, but if it gets too out of hand with bizarre stuff then it begins to get less interesting.
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[BenT Syncro]

[WBX man]

Look at this:

http://www.schick-tuning.de/t3.htm
_________________
2,1 DJ WBX Vanagon/ T3 with Megasquirt/ Renault-Lotus UN1 gearbox/ 320 mm AMG front brakes/ 280mm Eurovan rear brakes

My recent projects:
http://www.t3nettet.dk/viewtopic.php?p=6342#6342

[BenT Syncro]

[WBX man]

[1621]

[r39o]

[gears]

What year is your van, Lundy?