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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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 Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 7:24 am Post subject: |
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Curious to see how your going to mount the Recaros!
I just scored on an Ergomed for the Driver-Me! |
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narendra.vw
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2013
Posts: 440
Location: Bangalore India
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 7:43 am Post subject: |
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| luVWagn wrote: |
Old leaky turbo from previous picture is now replaced, using Tony's very nice custom mount set-up:
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Nice & cleanly done up 'Engine mounting bracket'. Also looks strong. Good to see you retaining the OE mounts. Right side mount?
Try to give some protection to the Turbo valve & it’s pipe. |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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Narendra, have a skid plate...
Broke down. Filled up with diesel (yes it was diesel), died 5 mins later. Wouldn't start, dash claims service oil, checked oil level, little low, topped up, no go. Finally started, ran 30-sec, stalled out again. Waiting for AAA
_________________
'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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narendra.vw
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2013
Posts: 440
Location: Bangalore India
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 12:15 am Post subject: |
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| luVWagn wrote: |
Narendra, have a skid plate...
Broke down. Filled up with diesel (yes it was diesel), died 5 mins later. Wouldn't start, dash claims service oil, checked oil level, little low, topped up, no go. Finally started, ran 30-sec, stalled out again. Waiting for AAA |
-OK. I didn't knew it.
-I have a scary feeling about your engine(main bearing & connecting bearing).
Was your engine consuming Oil? How much?
500 ml/1000km is acceptable.
Hope, you get out of this with a minimum work. Good luck. |
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lloydy
Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2010
Posts: 715
Location: cheam surrey
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 1:31 am Post subject: |
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You seem to be a bit unlucky with that engine! Have you plugged it in for any fault codes?
_________________
16" syncro multivan pop top AHU TDI
“Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.” |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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| lloydy wrote: |
| You seem to be a bit unlucky with that engine! Have you plugged it in for any fault codes? |
This is new engine now 
Turned out to be some power relay with bad crimps causing the ecu to freak out... Fixed!
_________________
'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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big swifty
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2007
Posts: 246
Location: Formally in Republic of VT; now in Hollywood, FL
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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Man. Those seats are sick!
Happy Birthday
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Evan
1987 Vanagon Syncro // Westfalia pop-top graft // Factory new ALH. 11mm IP. AFN 110 RC 2,3,4 // S7 turbo// Titan P502's
2013 Golf 4d TDI. No mods. Yet.
[1991 Jetta coupe TD. Giles Superpump. Custom tall 5 speed. SOLD |
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HBB
Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2014
Posts: 156
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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| luVWagn wrote: |
| lloydy wrote: |
| You seem to be a bit unlucky with that engine! Have you plugged it in for any fault codes? |
This is new engine now
Turned out to be some power relay with bad crimps causing the ecu to freak out... Fixed! |
Make sure your engine wiring harness is fused. You don't want your electrical problems melting your wiring. |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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TequilaSunSet
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2012
Posts: 2109
Location: Philippines
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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I know you are still alive... lurker 
_________________
Don't harsh my mellow...
1985 Hightower Vanagon 1.8T- Gone
1972 Panel Bus- Gone
1967 Bug- Gone
1964 Euro Sunroof Bug- Gone
1969/72/63 Sunroof Bug- Gone
1975 Brazilian Bug in the Philippines 🇵🇭- New to me |
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Bills85Westy
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2009
Posts: 423
Location: Napa CA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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I'd read your thread before and just ready it again from start to finish due to Tequila Sunsets bump.
Beautiful Syncro. I'm hoping everything worked out and your van got a little more reliable as kinks were worked out! Let us know what's up!
_________________
89 Tristar Syncro Doka - White
85 Westfalia Syncro (conversion)
SAH 1.8T Conversion - 2005 AWP
Engine Conversion Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612144&highlight=
85 Doka L345 Grey - 1.9L |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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| TequilaSunSet wrote: |
| I know you are still alive... lurker |
I haven't been lurking, been partaking in the Facebook group because the user experience is better than this site, it is more "snackable" in terms of content, and because I haven't had much to say about my van in ages due to it being completely and utterly broken. More to come, we are just finishing a full rustoration on it, and i'll take some time to update this thread old friend! 
_________________
'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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Post a link to the Facebook site! Please!
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:47 am Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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So, long time no post.
After replacing the engine with new AHU block, fixing transmission and adding a decoupler and transmission cooler, and fixing a blown-off turbo hose, and various other tweaky bits, the van was running reasonably well.
Had some issues with my snorkle not draining water and filling the air-box up so that the cylindrical filter became a nice sponge  And then, the BIG issue... Driving southbound, I-5, 65mph, and WHAM!
My fiberglass roof decided to seperate from the van - or at least, the outer shell of the roof did that  Needless to say it was a rather stressful experience, and amazing that nobody was hurt and no vehicle damage (other than my own). The awning careened down the highway like a missile, bits of outer shell everywhere, roof vent shattered, dog in a panic, wife in shock (and hating the van even more than ever)...
All attempts to find a matching high-top in order to repair with and not lose all of the internal custom upper cabinets was a bust. This particular Reimo top was ultra-rare. Decided to try and get a different Reimo top as part of a group-buy coming in from Germany. Had the van shipped over to VanLab and Mike Shaffer (PurplePeopleEater), as he is a high-top installation specialist and all around capable guy. This was in ~May of 2016.
Unfortunately, the high-top importation process was incredibly delayed, and after 6+ months, the tops were still not in California yet. Also during this time, my wife and I became expecting parents, and it occurred to me that the ideal "couple travel van" with high-top and storage was now not going to be as suitable for a growing family. Change of plans!
Decided to go with a Westy top installation instead. Since the windows and interior had to come out due to welding and rust repairs while doing the roof-skin transplant, we decided to go whole-hog and sand-blast the entire van and paint it. Here it is with the top test-fitted this winter.
Next installment, the rust removal and body work, paint-prep, van-in-primer, etc. Stay tuned
_________________
'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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I don't think any combination of verbs, adjectives and nouns could even come close to what I'm thinking of after reading this post!
Reimo lost me as a customer after dealing with the delays of their production department. I think they do need to replace the management in regards to production.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 10:51 am Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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Top blew off! OMG, that is a nightmare grade experience.
The van is a great kid mobile though no matter what. All these years later my kids still like ours (my wife is a different story - she likes expensive new quiet cars.) So make it the best van you can, the memories (good and bad) will be priceless. That is the reason I am again in the process of making ours better.
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
I don't think any combination of verbs, adjectives and nouns could even come close to what I'm thinking of after reading this post!
Reimo lost me as a customer after dealing with the delays of their production department. I think they do need to replace the management in regards to production. |
Thanks Steve - i'd like to think I exhausted my vocabulary at the time, but in reality I was in complete shock. The State Troopers and clean-up crew kept my grounded, especially when they noticed my expired tabs and DIDN'T give me a ticket! 
| r39o wrote: |
Top blew off! OMG, that is a nightmare grade experience.
The van is a great kid mobile though no matter what. All these years later my kids still like ours (my wife is a different story - she likes expensive new quiet cars.) So make it the best van you can, the memories (good and bad) will be priceless. That is the reason I am again in the process of making ours better. |
Agree completely, I'm in money-pit mode now trying to take advantage of the down time and full rust+paint reno to completely customize and finalize many aspects of what has been an ongoing build. The only expense spared so far is NOT putting in A/C, which I'll probably regret in the summers with a baby, but can look at putting one in next summer if necessary.
_________________
'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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Do you still have the insulation shell?
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
| Do you still have the insulation shell? |
Yes, i still have the inner shell and all of the upper cabinetry. re-using the lower cabinetry. Interested? The inner shell is in Kennewick WA, and the upper cabinetry is in Carnation WA.
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'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 7:12 pm Post subject: Re: My Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop eTDI |
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So, time for an unfortunate update. This van has been cursed - not only did the high-top fall apart on me at highways speeds, and I struggled with the eTDI and VNT conversion on this AHU engine, and the transmission broke 3/4 slider and got fully rebuilt. And then... just when it was finally starting to get fairly reliable and drive-able, THIS happened:
Luckily, i only received a broken wrist and whiplash in the accident, and my dog fully recovered from her fractured skull and stitches.
So, after receiving a decent insurance settlement from the at-fault insurance company, i sold off the entire wreck (drive-train, engine, body) for a goodly sum, and am now building a double-door 2WD van into a pre-runner. Will start a separate build thread on that.
Not my 1st pre-runner - I had an earlier build thread here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=538721&highlight=building+prerunner. That was the van I should've kept and never sold off, as it was perfectly fine. I let Syncro 16 hightop lust get to me 
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'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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