Stigma attached to the WBX?

[seabeesMCB9]

This was never meant to be "yet another engine conversion thread". In fact, I stated that my WBX ran well and I like them. I was just curious as to why with all the improvements that can be made to the WBX , that people were still doing conversions. I guess it just amounts to personal preference. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[ftp2leta]

[quote="dredward"]

[gnarly 928]

[g_ride]

300K+of abuse and duct tape repairs...
what's not to love?

"I Used To Love Her, But I Had To Kill Her" .. . . . ... GnR
_________________
"87 Westy bostig ... "hater"
it's slow.........but it's as smooth as a trainwreck

[Volksaholic]

I had no real complaints about my 2.1 and I would have run it into the ground had it not checked out early. My wife and I even kicked around whether to stick with the WBX and get a quality rebuild or do the conversion. I'm not "down" on the 2.1wbx, but to see the Subaru and WBX sitting side by side... and even to work on my 2003 Outback with around 140k miles compared to the 125k WBX that gave up the ghost... I'm glad as hell I did the conversion. The Subaru boxer is just so much more nicely engineered, low maintenance, and reliable.

I doubt I'd pull a healthy stock WBX from a Vanagon to do a conversion, but given my experience I wouldn't put a lot of time and money trying to bring a tired WBX back to working order either. Along the same lines, I gave up my air cooled VWs because, as much as I love them, they are antiques and I got tired of all the maintenance to keep them on the road. I don't know the other conversions, but I suspect any of the mature conversions is a light year's improvement over a tired WBX.

I'm a big fan of keeping things stock, and I like my van as a hobby as well as a daily driver. Nothing wrong with the WBX for it's vintage but it's nice to have something built in this century pushing my van.

Paul
_________________
1988 Wolfsburg Edition, 2001 Subaru EJ251

[D Clymer]

One consideration that has to be made regarding sticking with the wasserboxer is the issue of replacement parts. In the past there has been a certain wisdom to keeping the wbx and not spending all that money on conversion parts that would be necessary with let's say a Subaru conversion. However, as of late many of the wbx parts have become NLA. Luckily aftermarket solutions have come at an impressive rate, but you can spend a ton of money on replacement wbx components:

Billet thermostat housing: $180
Coolant Pipe: $150
Stainless coolant dist. tower: $80
Exhaust headers: $280
Throttle switch: $66
MAFS: $500
Rebuilt throttle body:$350

These are all components that need to be replaced at some time or another to keep the wbx reliable and running properly and all tolled they add up to over $1600. That figure is certainly worth keeping in mind because all the components to physically mount a Subaru engine in a Vanagon (adaptor plate and flywheel, rear mount, header, coolant pipe) are actually cheaper than this.

Don't get me wrong, I still regard the wbx very highly, and will always keep one in at least one of my vans just because the engine makes me grin. However, from my viewpoint, the stigma of the wbx at this point has less to do with the design flaws of the engine and more to do with the less than satisfying Digifant fuel injection system and expensive maintenance parts. I certainly would be excited if someone took the time to adapt a decent fuel injection system to the wbx and tune it properly. I think it would certainly help to get the most of this engine - there's more tuning potential with the basic engine design than I think most people realize. On the other hand, though, by the time you've changed the fuel system haven't you created a one off type of vehicle that can't be worked on by just any VW mechanic during a trip? It would end up having the same main drawback that a conversion has.

Just some recent thoughts and ponderings on the matter.

David

[Vango Conversions]

The WBX is a great engine if you don't mind, always having to top up the oil, changing head gaskets, staying in the slow lane, going up hills with your foot on the floor and getting passed by 18 wheelers, and getting horrible MPG.

[tschroeder0]

Horrible mileage? I get 20.5 fully loaded

never changed head gaskets yet on my 1.9 or 2.1. 1.9 had 180,000
2.1 has 90,000

neither burned any more oil than both of my subaru 2.2's do

I drive mountain passes EVERYWHERE I go all year long, sooo tired of the silly super slow vanagon nonsense, they aren't meant to be race cars, I go up passes slow but I pass every 18 wheeler, motorhome and many trucks along the way.
Going down the pass vans are pretty darn quick and I make up most if not all of that time so it becomes almost moot over the long haul. Iknow this well because on my regular Boulder to Durango trek over many passes I stay with and/or pass vehicles traveling with me all the time.
The water boxer should be applauded for the wonderful engine it is. It has taken me to the arctic ocean and back!

[Ahwahnee]

I love conversions -- every time someone does one, more used WBX engine parts become available.

My (non-VW) daily driver is about 50 years old. When it had been out of production 20 years new replacement parts were hard to find and dealer support and interest was zilch. Today, parts sources abound as multiple companies have found a niche in providing them to enthusiasts who want to keep them on the road. This for a car that saw fewer than 40,000 units built.

I'll take my chances with the free market system and keep the WBX.


P.S. Can any tell me how many water-cooled Vanagons were built?

[RCB]

[Zeitgeist 13]

The topic that never ever ever ever dies, in this one section of an ostensibly aircooled VW site. I can't think of an analog over on the MB fora, except for the never-ending squabbles about the nebulous benefits of K&N filters, and "cold air intakes"...and of course, the gawdforsaken oil threads.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[VisPacem]

[Volksaholic]

[D Clymer]

[gnarly 928]

[quote="D Clymer"]

[crazyvwvanman]

IIRC, over a million water-cooled T3 vehicles were built from 81-92. About half of those were diesels.

I'm sure I listed a breakdown by engine types not too long ago.

Mark

[randywebb]

[D Clymer]

[D Clymer]

[quote="gnarly 928"]

[tschroeder0]

In all my trips across country I have always averaged right at the 20.5-21 mpg range and the funny thing is that's full loaded or not, at altitude or not. I can't do much better but I never do worse.