To Tiico or Not to Tiico

[Captain Pike]

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.

[bread geek]

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.

[ebennett]

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

[Escorial Syncro]

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.
1968 International Scout 800 266 V8
Various Subaru DD's

[brando90gl]

I agree, love my Tiico as well. No bad vibes in my engine compartment!

[bread geek]

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

[regis101]

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

[Ryan Alfonso]

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.

[pdunn13445]

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.

[levi]

[yield27]

[kayakwesty]

[D Clymer]

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

[Ryan Alfonso]

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.

[beteljuze]

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!

[Ryan Alfonso]

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.

[Captain Pike]

[yield27]

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.

[Tiiconaut]

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.

[Ryan Alfonso]

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).