2.4 EcoTec rail buggy kit to Vanagon?

[DAV!D]

I've been reading up on the 2.4 Ecotec and seems they are a viable option for the Vanagon. I've read a few posts here on the Samba from people whom have done it. Yet there are no kits.

I started digging around and found a company whom makes Ecotec rail buggy conversion kits. The kit comes with a low milage tested motor, a custom made stand alone wiring harness, the ECU, has a billet engine adaptor and flywheel.

The price is $2150.00

http://www.alphafabindustries.com/collections/ecotec-parts/products/afi-2-4l-le5-ecotec-swap-combo

Obviously a custom exhaust, motor mounts and water lines would need to be sorted, but it seems like a very viable option for do a DIY conversion. Anyone ever thought trying one of these Rail Buggy kits?

Obviously not up to Cali standards or anywhere there is a state inspection, but I'm registered in FL so no worries with that.
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86 Syncro Build - Ecotec Motor Swap - Pop Top Conversion - Camper Build & Syncro Conversion

[SCP_Austin]

Interesting swap idea...makes bostig seem expensive!

[DAV!D]

Yea the more I read about them, the more I like what I see. The only draw back I've seen so far, is the rear engine cover needs to be raised, however the engine supposedly has more clearance than the WBX and is lighter.
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86 Syncro Build - Ecotec Motor Swap - Pop Top Conversion - Camper Build & Syncro Conversion

[MsTaboo]

Bostig IS expensive, but they provide a more complete kit.
Don't discount the difficulty of designing and building your own engine cradle and cooling system. They also support the engine tune for our vanagons. That AFI is tuned for a sand rail.
Not saying it can't be done. Just not apples to apples with Bostig.
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[alnvilma]

I saw an Eco-Tec conversion in a Bay window at BBB last January!
It wasn't completed and running at that time but fit in the engine bay well.
Maybe a search in that section would reveal more info?
That is a great price. Plumbing the cooling shouldn't be to hard. Heck, I had to find & cut preformed hosed/adapters to make my Bostig kit work right.
Intriguing.

[DAV!D]

[MsTaboo]

[DAV!D]

[DAV!D]

Just found a topic here on the samba of a bay window ecotec swap. I bet a similar exhaust set up would work, and possibly a motor mount like his. His is a 2.2 but they are pretty similar.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=549056&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

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86 Syncro Build - Ecotec Motor Swap - Pop Top Conversion - Camper Build & Syncro Conversion

[Vanagon Nut]

interesting.

I wanted to read more (and see why the kit was $6000 marked down to $21500) but that home page is a PITA to read! Anyhow....

Wouldn't that header type exhaust manifold be kind of close to the engine lid?

Is that a 0º mount kit? Would a 15º mount angle help? (IIRC, there is a KEP plate for that engine)

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[zeohsix]

John Wessels (Euro Mog) loved his Ecotec motor swap. If you want it to be all German....swap an Opel valve cover on it......

[DAV!D]

[vw7266]

I already have this swap planned for this coming summer for my syncro. Luckily the local buggy guys use them. A local shop makes the adapters and the wiring harness and the computer flash get done locally to. I've measured plan on raising the deck about 2.5 inches

[SCP_Austin]

There is a certain amount of simplicity offered with bostig...probably worth every penny!

[DAV!D]

[furrylittleotter]

Well, it's an option. I see zero advantages over a Subaru swap and a lot of negatives compared to a Subaru, but it is pretty neat.

I reckon it might be a better financial option than a Bostig, initially, but all that "sorting out" you mention takes tons of time, ingenuity and/or trial and error.

Raising the decklid, and I bet that motor is heavy, both seem decidedly bad, but I look forward to hearing about the guys that get them together.

I can literally lift my subaru engine short block by myself. I actually picked it up in it's crate and stuck it in the trunk of my car to take home.

I doubt I could lift that motor.

The advances in the Subaru transaxle adaptation, I believe, keep Subaru in the top of the conversion choices. Add in low center of gravity, a "natural" fit and all the other factors and Subaru would still be my first choice for a swap.

So many people "gloss over" the fact you can buy a Brand New sti short block for $1800 direct from subaru.

I kinda like having a brand new motor in my 25 year old van, but it will be fun to see what evolves round that motor, if anything.

Neil2

[Zeitgeist 13]

This is the engine Bostig should've opted to pursue for their kits. Bostig thoroughness along with this level of solid engineering would make a non-VAG engine kit I could get behind. Until then, it's 1.8t/TDI or nothing at all.
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Casey--

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

[MsTaboo]

[Zeitgeist 13]

The Zetec seems like a perfectly decent engine, but the torque specs aren't particularly inspiring for a big heavy breadbox like the T3. A naturally aspirated engine really should have some cubic centimeters underpinning its torque efforts, and the Zetec isn't all that.
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Casey--

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

[MsTaboo]