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Captain Pike Samba Member

Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 2964 Location: The Topless Bar On Mustafar
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Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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ebennett will do fine on this convert. Homework done, understands the nuts and bolts. Get ready for a true German flip.
The I4's are the bastard child of VW in the Vanagon. Definatly the father but won't admit it.
South African parentship excluded
I'll clone my exhaust pipe if you need it, local guy can bend you a new one. Just find a clamp exhaust manifold__flange between 3 and 4. You have seen it__make the call. _________________ Whisper__"If You Build It_______It Will Run"
1959 panel van, 1966 single cab. 73' 181. 91' H6 Vanagon(Under construction). 3 Xterras, 2 08 Subaru Foresters. |
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bread geek Samba Member

Joined: October 30, 2005 Posts: 266 Location: fryeburg ME
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Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: tiico |
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i belive they are more inclined to work on a jetta motor than a subie.granted some of the conv. parts are hard to find but over all it is still vw. |
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ebennett Samba Member

Joined: December 18, 2003 Posts: 277 Location: West Chester PA
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Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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I've decided to do a conversion myself.
I've got the all the diesel parts I need, less the input shaft and the starter. I am going to install an ABA block with all A3 accessories and serpentine belt.
Not sure how I am going to make the AC work
I am going to install a SOHC big valve head from an A2 jetta/golf. Not sure if I will go CSI, CSI-E or digi injection
Exhaust will be custom made _________________ GDTRFB |
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Escorial Syncro  Samba Member

Joined: May 02, 2004 Posts: 400 Location: Manitou Springs, CO
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:04 am Post subject: |
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Bread Geek wrote: "try getting a vw dealer to look at a subie conv.good luck."
Are VW dealers able to work on Tiico motors now? When I had one Tiico had a South African fuel injection system no one had ever seen at my dealer. Nor could they order parts for it because all the part numbers Tiico provided were gibberish in their parts computer.
Has this changed? _________________ Joel Lane
Current driver: 1987 Syncro Westy poptop, ALH TDI @ 15 degrees
Personal Project:
1985 Westy with 1990 Syncro running gear, ALH @ 50 degrees, Stage 4 "clutch saver" tune, trans with all GT gears, R/P and trans cooler and mainshaft oiling. |
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brando90gl Samba Member

Joined: July 31, 2007 Posts: 355 Location: Marion,NC
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:22 am Post subject: |
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I agree, love my Tiico as well. No bad vibes in my engine compartment! |
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bread geek Samba Member

Joined: October 30, 2005 Posts: 266 Location: fryeburg ME
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Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 4:17 pm Post subject: tiico |
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try getting a vw dealer to look at a subie conv.good luck.if properly installed you should not have any vibration issues from your tiico. i have had my tiico for 3 years and love every minute i drive it.jon at foreign auto is an ace on these motors. he keeps mine dialed in right and tight.tiico all the way.my honest opinion.5 speed trannys,super chargers they do it all.
jeff |
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regis101 Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2005 Posts: 2078 Location: Livermore, Ca
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Trading four cylinders for four cylinders is the same trade.
At least look into the Audi 5 cylinder or move on over to the six's.
IMO, a vehicle of that weight needs at least 150 ft.lbs. 170 would be better.
I have researched for a while and this is how (I) feel about the game. _________________ Peace, Regis |
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Ryan Alfonso Samba Member

Joined: March 23, 2007 Posts: 101 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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Well, getting back to what D Clymer just said. I agree for the most part. The motor mounts are solid rubber. Not good. The autobahn mercedes hydraulic jobbers are probably nicer. but if you took the "off the rack" tiico kit, put an a2 fuel rail on it (pretty common mod), and the A3 serpentine brackets and engine accessories, you're dealing with a much more "happy" set up. My primary problem is that I live in california. Smog time is about a month away. I dread this routine. Shrugging my shoulders, playing dumb, showing the semi-fraudulent air resources board, bureau of automotive repair executive order stating it's compliance with regulations. The parts list on that EO do not reflect what is supplied with the kit. not only that but there's an addendum, EO 573-1 that says you gotta wire up a check engine light TOO. I love the plucky little motor I've got in there. Looks like it belongs there. But sometimes I wish I had that "known evil" waterboxer in there, in spite of its many many many flaws. Especially around SMOG cert time. Still, it's what I got, I like it well enough. Runs great. (fingers crossed). Everything in life is a mixed bag. I love my dog, but she eats my westfalia interior if I'm not careful. |
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pdunn13445 Samba Member

Joined: August 14, 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Zacatecas, MX/TX/CO/MD
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:48 pm Post subject: I would have liked to, but who needs the problems... |
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The guy is a one man band, and more often than not doesn't answer email inquiries. His warranty is ignored from the word of two people I have talked to. Try calling Mark at Concours Cars (719) 473-6288 in Colorado Springs as he has fixed many malfunctioning Tiicos. |
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levi Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005 Posts: 5522 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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yield27 wrote: |
Bill W wrote: |
yield27 wrote: |
Do the Zetec conversion, it's the cat's meow. So what if it's a Ford, it was designed in Germany. 100,000 mile warranty through Bostig and the best customer support. I have no worries driving mine around and it is quiet with no vibration. I cruise through the mountains and keep up with all the other guys and girls on the interstate no problem. |
then why are you selling it?
[img] http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=408997 [/img] |
Because I want to go to a bio-diesel rig. I am perfectly happy with the conversion overall and it has been my daily driver for a couple years. I have only had my van in the shop once for a shift linkage problem since putting the Zetec in. I have put 15000 miles on it in that time with only a couple small issues that were easily fixed. The fact that I listed my van does not change the fact that the Zetec is awesome. |
btw, that's a really nice looking interior there.... _________________ One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
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yield27 Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2007 Posts: 102 Location: Flagstaff
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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Bill W wrote: |
yield27 wrote: |
Do the Zetec conversion, it's the cat's meow. So what if it's a Ford, it was designed in Germany. 100,000 mile warranty through Bostig and the best customer support. I have no worries driving mine around and it is quiet with no vibration. I cruise through the mountains and keep up with all the other guys and girls on the interstate no problem. |
then why are you selling it?
[img] http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=408997 [/img] |
Because I want to go to a bio-diesel rig. I am perfectly happy with the conversion overall and it has been my daily driver for a couple years. I have only had my van in the shop once for a shift linkage problem since putting the Zetec in. I have put 15000 miles on it in that time with only a couple small issues that were easily fixed. The fact that I listed my van does not change the fact that the Zetec is awesome. |
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kayakwesty Samba Member

Joined: February 15, 2007 Posts: 687 Location: East Tennessee
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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If you're really set on an inline VW conversion, I'd certainly give the Autobahn Society conversion a good look before putting any money into Tiico. |
I haven't talked to Steve lately at the AutoBahnSociety , BUT last time I talked to him he was shipping some of his kits to the West Coast. I plan on getting his AAZ Diesel setup for my 91 Jetta in the future,he does good work!
anyway..to me..it's the gas engine is the engine,VW should have put in there, they already had the diesel set-up...the gas in-line was a no-brainer
once you drive his 135hp engine...it makes you mad knowing what a chance VW had at the small van market _________________ 1984 Westy 2.0 Jetta ABA Motor/1.8 head converted to auto tranny, with 180,000 on body, 55K on engine and transmission
B.5.5 Passat Wagen with 30v V6-67000 Miles
DAS AUTO
CHANGE YOUR FUEL LINES!
A post without pictures is useless
http://www.kayakwesty.com
http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/ |
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D Clymer Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 2948 Location: Issaquah, WA
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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While the VW/Audi inline four has better durability than a wasserboxer, I can see how someone could consider it a step back from a strong running wbx. Tiico basically chose the harshest version of the VW/Audi inline four and mounted it using the most unrefined motor mounts, and then did a poor job of designing the exhaust system, fuel rail, and accessory mounts. They've basically given an engine conversion with some potential a pretty poor reputation.
If you're really set on an inline VW conversion, I'd certainly give the Autobahn Society conversion a good look before putting any money into Tiico.
David |
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Ryan Alfonso Samba Member

Joined: March 23, 2007 Posts: 101 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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My mechanic's opinion was either irrational or completely rational, either way very passionate. "buy a different car". he sees vehicles as appliances. big into economics too -- cost of ownership, etc. "get a car that's just out of the current model year, with 12k miles on it"
Why's the subie conversion going to a VW dealer for service? Seems odd.
Really interested to hear the tech's opinion on specifically what about the TiiCo engine is a step backwards. |
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beteljuze Samba Member

Joined: December 16, 2002 Posts: 180 Location: lindenhurst,NY
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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I work in a VW dealership and drive a 88 wasserboxer.Most techs here hate the tiico engine itself,say its a move backwards from the original wbx.We have a customer with a subie conversion,and it runs great AND is easy to work on.Its only ever come in for an oil change and/or inspection.I can get a longblock wbx cheap,but when the time comes,I'm going subie-its just better! |
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Ryan Alfonso Samba Member

Joined: March 23, 2007 Posts: 101 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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OOooooooo. Gotcha!
He's probably moving on to an H-6 subaru. Have to say, that does sound like fun!
Changing the oil on the TiiCo tonight. I'll report any feelings of remorse if I'm overcome. |
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Captain Pike Samba Member

Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 2964 Location: The Topless Bar On Mustafar
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:53 am Post subject: |
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yield27 wrote: |
Do the Zetec conversion, it's the cat's meow. So what if it's a Ford, it was designed in Germany. 100,000 mile warranty through Bostig and the best customer support. I have no worries driving mine around and it is quiet with no vibration. I cruise through the mountains and keep up with all the other guys and girls on the interstate no problem. |
then why are you selling it?
[img] http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=408997 [/img] _________________ Whisper__"If You Build It_______It Will Run"
1959 panel van, 1966 single cab. 73' 181. 91' H6 Vanagon(Under construction). 3 Xterras, 2 08 Subaru Foresters.
Last edited by Captain Pike on Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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yield27 Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2007 Posts: 102 Location: Flagstaff
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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Do the Zetec conversion, it's the cat's meow. So what if it's a Ford, it was designed in Germany. 100,000 mile warranty through Bostig and the best customer support. I have no worries driving mine around and it is quiet with no vibration. I cruise through the mountains and keep up with all the other guys and girls on the interstate no problem. |
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Tiiconaut Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2006 Posts: 85
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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What Ryan said. i Installed one back in 2001 and ive been using it as a daily driver ever since. i did every mod except a windage tray, and it ended up costing alot more than i had planned. It still shakes/vibrates at idle which ive gotten used to. I think you need to have a registered Tiico installer do it if you want the extended Tiico warranty. |
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Ryan Alfonso Samba Member

Joined: March 23, 2007 Posts: 101 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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The TiiCo is much maligned. 1600 sold, yet we hear from a vocal minority. Admittedly though, some folks HAVE had some really sucky experiences with it.
I did mine in '01 when they were still working out the kinks. Plenty of things pissed me off along the way. It's probably a solid kit now, provided you do the A3 bracketry to avoid the vibration and associated headache with the bracket used to hold stock vanagon AC PS and Alt on there. Also gotta do the A2 fuel rail and injectors. Toss in a windage tray too. All of a sudden you're talkin' real money.
Rand vs. $ ain's such a great deal these days either. The kit's getting more expensive. Still isn't CA legal strictly speaking.
All that said, it still runs like the wind and gets incredible mileage (20-23). Happy to take folks on rides if they're ever in the sf bay area.
So, I'm pleased with mine for NOW. But would I do it again (if I had the cash)? No regrets for the past, but I'd probably go TDI if I had to do a swap tomorrow. But it would probably be trading one set of headaches for another. Guess I'd buy a toyota instead (older and wiser now). |
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