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Mittens Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 44 Location: Mid Michigan
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:19 pm Post subject: questions about Bus |
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Im new to this Forum and site. but I thought I ask here as this is dedicated to Vdubs.
Im considering about getting a Westy, but I had a few questions.
1. whats the best option to do a engine swap from gas to diesel? why I ask on diesel is better MPG, better torque , and biodiesel
2. is there any way to either have a larger fuel take OR have dual tank set up, and how
3. where does an Aux battery go and how big of a battery will fit. that way if Im at a campground or campsite that doesnt have connections I can run on batt , and I do plan on having solar energy.
thanks |
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stormforge Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2009 Posts: 355 Location: Adirondacks NY
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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Diesel conversion is possible (some early Vanagons came with diesels) but can be pretty tricky because the original engine compartment was designed primarily for a flat-four engine. Most diesels are too tall to fit so they need to be tilted over at an angle. Some people have done beautiful VW TDI diesel conversions but it's expensive and non-trivial.
Maybe look for an early diesel Vanagon or consider a dodge sprinter which comes with a nice high-tech diesel ready to go.
Cheers,
-Bill
'89 Syncro |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome and take a seat, have a look around and hopefully stay awhile.
those are some loaded questions, that are often debated here by the 'experts' ad nauseum.
so besides a nice introduction of yourself, your intentions and goals
I'd say the next step is to take awalk thru the search with some key words and learn..
for the most part a Diesel swap isn't an economical venture. the payback of return of investment can be a few years. maybe a quicker ROI if you are brewing your own fuels. but we all know that nothing (incl labor) is cheap, easy or free.
Dan in NY _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Mittens Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 44 Location: Mid Michigan
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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danfromsyr wrote: |
Welcome and take a seat, have a look around and hopefully stay awhile.
those are some loaded questions, that are often debated here by the 'experts' ad nauseum.
so besides a nice introduction of yourself, your intentions and goals
I'd say the next step is to take awalk thru the search with some key words and learn..
for the most part a Diesel swap isn't an economical venture. the payback of return of investment can be a few years. maybe a quicker ROI if you are brewing your own fuels. but we all know that nothing (incl labor) is cheap, easy or free.
Dan in NY |
First and foremost, I'm Julian, Im in college for computer sciences and my goal is own my own business at some point.
I'd like buy a westy and rebuild it to my liking. I do understand that my questions are pretty epic for a first timer. But any help would nice in my
venture. Why I ask such questions is so I can drive and enjoy it, not let it sit in my back yard and collect tree sap. |
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I am Wildcat Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2011 Posts: 318 Location: SF Bay Area
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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If you're looking for a diesel, it's probably easiest (and cheapest) to find one that was originally a diesel or has already been successfully converted to diesel by someone else. This will probably save you more time and money in the long run.
Dual fuel tanks, multiple batteries and solar panels are all options that plenty of people on here have added to their vehicles. Search the forums and you can start to determine what you do and don't like about each option. _________________ No more van. Wildcat has a new home.
1997 Land Rover Defender 90
2005 MB SL55 AMG
2014 Tesla Model S P85+ |
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blake28 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2005 Posts: 141 Location: Iowa City, IA
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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Being that you are from Michigan my #1 priority would be rust. working on suspension that is all seized up really sucks. _________________ 84 Westy
85 GL |
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Captjon1959 Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2010 Posts: 287 Location: Peoria, Illinois
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject: Greetings from Mid Michigan |
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I live in Flint; Grand Blanc, actually. I bought an 84 Westy a couple years ago and have been working on it. No disel conversion, however. Fixing up a Westy costs $ and time (if you do it yourself). If you want a hobby and a cool form of transportation and fun, go for it. _________________ 1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg Edition
Former 1.9 L now Bostig Ford Zetec |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7925 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 2:24 pm Post subject: Re: questions about Bus |
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Mittens wrote: |
3. where does an Aux battery go and how big of a battery will fit. that way if Im at a campground or campsite that doesnt have connections I can run on batt , and I do plan on having solar energy. |
^That I can answer: It goes under the driver's seat. In regards to what will fit, peruse the FAQ sticky at the top of the Vanagon Forum's main page and/or do a search for "aux battery". Lots and lots of info on what to do and how to do it. _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: questions about Bus |
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kamzcab86 wrote: |
...It goes under the driver's seat.... |
Or some (me anyway) put it under the rear seat where there is more room and hence more choices in size & brands.
Oh Julian - I figured you for about college age when you asked about bigger/larger fuel tanks. When you get to my age frequent gas station stops are de riguer & most welcome. |
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Mittens Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 44 Location: Mid Michigan
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Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 7:56 pm Post subject: Re: questions about Bus |
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Ahwahnee wrote: |
kamzcab86 wrote: |
...It goes under the driver's seat.... |
Or some (me anyway) put it under the rear seat where there is more room and hence more choices in size & brands.
Oh Julian - I figured you for about college age when you asked about bigger/larger fuel tanks. When you get to my age frequent gas station stops are de riguer & most welcome. |
the less trips I take there the better , yah my school isnt far, but when you go 4 times a week AND working, it becomes a toll on the wallet (it seems to rip into flames every times I pull my Visa out for fuel lol) |
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