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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 11:06 am Post subject: Re: Vanistan 2.2 engines: Lets hear some more reviews! |
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Here are the intake runners and crossover coolant pipe for this engine.
I featured them in another thread dealing with rust converting and coatings.
You can see the flip flop in colors.
These engines from Chris are so sweet, I can't help myself making them look the part
Once installed, the van will only see Memorial Day to Labor Day use and be enjoyed on sunny days. |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:56 am Post subject: Re: Vanistan 2.2 engines: Lets hear some more reviews! |
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Awesome Chuck.
Sweet looker for sure.
This time around for me, mostly gloss black, with true blue highlights.
All the stainless will be polished on the engine and the WBXhaust will be wrapped with black DEI titanium header wrap with stainless ties.
I will post pictures as it is being reassembled before spring. |
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highaltidude Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2005 Posts: 219 Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:41 am Post subject: Re: Vanistan 2.2 engines: Lets hear some more reviews! |
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Mine wasn't blue......
Chuck _________________ 66 Double Cab
83 Vanagon Westfalia, Vanistan'd |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 9:42 pm Post subject: Re: Vanistan 2.2 engines: Lets hear some more reviews! |
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My Vanistan day 1:
It has been pulled from the original van it was installed in and is getting a mild refreshening so it will look this good again.
30,000 miles logged thus far. |
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highaltidude Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2005 Posts: 219 Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Vanistan 2.2 engines: Lets hear some more reviews! |
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I've had my Vanistan motor installed now for two weeks.
I live at 7,100ft, so I got the "high altitude" version. It replaced a stock 1.9L. I also have the RMW/Vanistan stainless exhaust, and added the oil cooler kit.
Everything came professionally packed and secured. The instructions were clear and it came with all the little things needed for installation. I had the install done by my air cooled mechanic and he was impressed with the "fit and finish".
I had questions about what other things should be addressed when the motor swap was done (this is a 32 year old vehicle after all.....)... Chris was prompt and thorough in his e-mail responses. VERY helpful.....
My Vanagon is not a daily driver, and usually just sits in December, especially in Colorado.... But I've been driving it every day. Groceries, Christmas shopping, errands.... It's just flat out way more fun to drive now. Each time out I drive a section of road I've struggled with before, and I can really tell the improvement. I no longer fear freeway on ramps.
I'm only 400 miles into ownership, but I'm quite happy!!! It just feels stronger each time out....
I've checked one tank of gas for mileage so far. 18mpg w mostly "city" driving. I got 20-21mpg w the 1.9L. But I know I'm driving with a heavier foot right now enjoying the increased power pulling the hills.
The wife and I have never been to Florida. We'll be driving the Vanagon out there early next year, and also have plans for an extended trip to Mexico. This motor should really make a difference on those trips.....
Chuck _________________ 66 Double Cab
83 Vanagon Westfalia, Vanistan'd |
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Love My Westy Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 1835
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 1:12 pm Post subject: |
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carterzest wrote: |
Love My Westy wrote: |
Any updates on how the Vanistan engines are performing now that they been installed for a few years? There also must be a lot of newer installations since the last post in 2014. Let's hear how they're running. I'm still in the market for one. |
I would still highly recommend a Vanistan, just have it professionally installed by a mechanic who gives a shit about it unlike the mechanic who performed the install on Mr. Hanky. What a clusterF$%& this whole situation has been. I had to redo 80% of the install work I initially paid him to perform.
Mine, Vanistan #51, runs like a raped ape. I cannot wait to put bigger tires on it as around here it is hard to use the power in the higher gears. I get on the freeway in third gear and get up to speed @60ish, then shift into 4th and it wants to go back into 3rd as it is in the low 2,000 range and feels like it is lugging. The shifting points are much higher than stock, in fact, you can take it way up into the redline as necessary. The torque is just awesome.
Well worth the $$$, Friend Rich! Get yourself one, have Hans help you with the install |
Thanks Jeffrey,
I'm glad to hear you finally got yours running right. I don't know when I will get the Vanistan, but it's still on my list. $$ are always a problem, but so is the fact that my 2.1 is still running great and the advice that everybody gives me to just keep driving it. I need to have the oil pressure checked and the engine evaluated because I sure don't want to ruin my core by having it blow up.
Good to hear from you. |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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Love My Westy wrote: |
Any updates on how the Vanistan engines are performing now that they been installed for a few years? There also must be a lot of newer installations since the last post in 2014. Let's hear how they're running. I'm still in the market for one. |
I would still highly recommend a Vanistan, just have it professionally installed by a mechanic who gives a shit about it unlike the mechanic who performed the install on Mr. Hanky. What a clusterF$%& this whole situation has been. I had to redo 80% of the install work I initially paid him to perform.
Mine, Vanistan #51, runs like a raped ape. I cannot wait to put bigger tires on it as around here it is hard to use the power in the higher gears. I get on the freeway in third gear and get up to speed @60ish, then shift into 4th and it wants to go back into 3rd as it is in the low 2,000 range and feels like it is lugging. The shifting points are much higher than stock, in fact, you can take it way up into the redline as necessary. The torque is just awesome.
Well worth the $$$, Friend Rich! Get yourself one, have Hans help you with the install |
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Love My Westy Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 1835
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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Any updates on how the Vanistan engines are performing now that they been installed for a few years? There also must be a lot of newer installations since the last post in 2014. Let's hear how they're running. I'm still in the market for one. |
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rickf46 Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2013 Posts: 6 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 1:42 am Post subject: |
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I'm not a motor head, but just got my westie back with the Ten Cent motor. The install was done by Pete Dexter at Volksparts in Walpole NH (Except he can't call it that anymore. Lawyers.) Included in the install: oil cooler, new sensors and senders and wiring harness. And whatever bit Pete felt was needed. The harness was self-funded since I opted out of the Vanistan/RMW tuned exhaust and "only" got the GW SS set-up. (My wife doesn't understand how the harness is now "free.") I trusted Pete absolutely and he delivered completely.
I dropped off a very anemic vehicle and drove off with something dramatically different. Great throttle response, pulls up hills, makes me smile. That's all I got for you from the technical end.
But, buying from Chris was a pleasure. The man is erudite, literate, attuned to the world around him. My life is built upon the concept that you vote with your dollars. In other words, your heart should be included in your buying decision.
Another lesson from this venture - every merchant in this space is great and I think I bought something from everyone (GW, Van Cafe, T3, RMW, Vanagain, etc.) We are a lucky bunch of obsessives.
Anyone near my little corner of NH (03458) is welcome to check out my Vanistan. If I am not off in the woods... |
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heart4Pahoa Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2011 Posts: 10 Location: OC
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Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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Hi kreissig,
Thanks for the supplied info as this was the information I understood was being requested of the OP. You are just North of me (I am in Dana Point). Any chance I could buy you lunch and get a peak at your vanistan engine and take a test drive? I would like to pick your brain more if you have the time too. Feel free to PM me. We (the family) have an 83 (water-cooled 1.9) and it runs swimmingly for now, but just looking to the future.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this post thus far... be it good, bad or ugly.
Peace,
Matthew |
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goskiracer Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009 Posts: 339 Location: Oslo, Norway
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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I just put my 1,000,000th (give or take a few ) revolution on the new Vanistan engine that is now pushing Sparkles around.
The facts:
1986 tin-top syncro, factory trans w/ locking diff, BFG 215 75 r15 wheels, 2.2 wbx Vanistan high-alt cam, wbxhaust w/ cat, ski pole shifter
The first point I would like to address is the "noise". Honestly I am quite surprised how quiet everything is at 75mph-4200rpm when cruising down the interstate. If anything this rig runs quieter than before. Yes, it does sound louder from the outside when driving around town in tunnels etc. I would get a ride in one and see how loud they are if that really causes you worry... but it shouldn't.
Driving behaviour is much improved... obviously with the hp/ftlb gains over stock this is going to be the case. Anecdotal... merging from a stop up a ramp into freeway trafic is a breeze, even passing semis is easy. Up here at altitude the power so far has been great and the hills can now be climbed at freeway speeds.
Looking forward to many more rev's! _________________ 86' Syncro 2.2 Vanistan, WBXhaust, ski-pole shifter for +11hp |
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mariusstrom Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2010 Posts: 745
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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Rocky Mountain Westy wrote: |
insyncro wrote: |
Find the closest transplant and contact the owner.
If you ask nicely, I'm sure they will take you for a spin.
First hand experience is by far the best, if you ask me. |
Marius Strom is up in Seattle. He loves chatting VW too. |
Did someone page me? _________________ Marius Strom Otto: 1988 Vanagon Syncro Westy Camper
[SOLD] Felix: 1967 Deluxe Beetle |
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jberger Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2003 Posts: 2476
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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raoul mitgong wrote: |
Not a review since I don't own a Vanistan engine, but one will likely go into my 84 Westy when the time comes.
After years of Samba searching to get and keep my two Vanagons running, one thing I have learned is that when tencentlife weighs in on a discussion, I can usually stop right there. The guy knows his work. Even if there was not a single in-lb or hp gain in his engines, I know that the reliability would be excellent because he has answered about every question that has been asked on this forum about every issue. I'm sure his engines reflect his knowledge.
And with all that knowledge you get zero vanity, arrogance or snobbery.
-d |
In-lb... That's funny, cause it's true |
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kreissig Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2009 Posts: 105 Location: Costa Mesa, CA
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 11:04 am Post subject: My 2.2 at just under one year old |
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So, I waited to post anything here until I had some real miles on my motor.
Performance: As I expected, torque is improved to the point that hills are not a "feared" obsticle with traffic around me.
Build Quality: Excellent, as many will say who have seen one of these up close. One issue I had was that the seal for the oil cooler was silicone and leaked almost from day one. (This may have been the installer - I'm not sure.) The second issue - the barrel bolt that secures the accel. cable to the custom throttle body is a bit small and vacilates within the armature. (Although this may again have been a result of the installer - I was not happy with my installer, and I detected some dishonesty from him, so I do/did not fault Tencent for any of these issues.
Rocky Mountain Exhaust: One issue. It has begun to "chirp" (as in a sound of metal to metal scraping) at idle when the engine is not fully warm and the resultant extra vibartion seems to cause this. In other words, after longer operation when the motor is fully warm, the idle is naturally smoother and no "chirping" is detectable.[/b] _________________ Auch aus Steinen, die in dem Weg gelegt werden, kann Mann etwas schoenes bauen. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
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D Clymer Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 2978 Location: Issaquah, WA
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 11:01 am Post subject: |
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tencentlife wrote: |
To Seņor Red Beard: don't forget there is a Real Wide World outside this musty little corner of the World Wide Web. My customers mostly spend their time there. Some look at places like this but prefer not to participate; I don't need to wonder why. From about 90% of them, you're unlikely to ever read anything, good or bad, on the web.
To almost everyone else: thanks so much for your kind words and support. I aspire to make sure your positive impressions are always well-founded. And don't feed the trolls. |
A fine example of taking the high-road. Nice job, Chris. A quality product and excellent customer support speak for themselves. The complete absence of any negative feedback with over 50 engines out there tells the story.
D |
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Jeff's Old Volks Home Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011 Posts: 819 Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:35 am Post subject: |
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tencentlife wrote: |
To Seņor Red Beard: don't forget there is a Real Wide World outside this musty little corner of the World Wide Web. My customers mostly spend their time there. Some look at places like this but prefer not to participate; I don't need to wonder why. From about 90% of them, you're unlikely to ever read anything, good or bad, on the web.
To almost everyone else: thanks so much for your kind words and support. I aspire to make sure your positive impressions are always well-founded. And don't feed the trolls. |
Rarely something worth quoting here...Except this, thanks, you made my day. Some people take things, way too seriously.
Jeff |
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raoul mitgong Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2009 Posts: 1338 Location: Denver, CO
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:29 am Post subject: |
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Not a review since I don't own a Vanistan engine, but one will likely go into my 84 Westy when the time comes.
After years of Samba searching to get and keep my two Vanagons running, one thing I have learned is that when tencentlife weighs in on a discussion, I can usually stop right there. The guy knows his work. Even if there was not a single in-lb or hp gain in his engines, I know that the reliability would be excellent because he has answered about every question that has been asked on this forum about every issue. I'm sure his engines reflect his knowledge.
And with all that knowledge you get zero vanity, arrogance or snobbery.
-d |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:22 am Post subject: |
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tencentlife wrote: |
To Seņor Red Beard: don't forget there is a Real Wide World outside this musty little corner of the World Wide Web. My customers mostly spend their time there. Some look at places like this but prefer not to participate; I don't need to wonder why. From about 90% of them, you're unlikely to ever read anything, good or bad, on the web.
To almost everyone else: thanks so much for your kind words and support. I aspire to make sure your positive impressions are always well-founded. And don't feed the trolls. |
good on ya, mate!
Well spake! _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10067 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 9:21 am Post subject: |
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To Seņor Red Beard: don't forget there is a Real Wide World outside this musty little corner of the World Wide Web. My customers mostly spend their time there. Some look at places like this but prefer not to participate; I don't need to wonder why. From about 90% of them, you're unlikely to ever read anything, good or bad, on the web.
To almost everyone else: thanks so much for your kind words and support. I aspire to make sure your positive impressions are always well-founded. And don't feed the trolls. _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
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ftp2leta Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 3271 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:32 am Post subject: |
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insyncro wrote: |
I have nothing to prove nor do I sell any of the parts listed in this thread.
If you want to find out how well oil cooling works...try an Internet search Dude
We are now cooling the fluid in the Syncro transmissions as well FYI
It works and helps when the connected powerplant is well beyond stock parameters. |
X2. I didn't see any new post from the OP
May he did call Chris _________________ Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta |
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