All I want is 200hp, a 5 speed, and some decent heat.

[xoo00oox]

Hey guys,

So I bought this 1977 Westy minivan back in the spring.....

It had been sitting in storage for about 10 years. A body shop had taken it all apart, done the body job, then lost interest in it, and posted it on Craigslist. The body is in beautiful shape, it was a very nice job.
The interior appears to be complete but all apart. They even had the seats and door panels redone. The transmission is still in place, I am told it was fine when parked. The engine has been completely disassembled but appears to be complete and in very good shape.
I could just assemble it all as stock, but I have this 1.8t sitting around...

And this 5 speed transmission from a 2001 Passat......

So, why not see if we can have some fun with this van and make it drive like a modern car?

[soissisc]

Bookmarked!
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Mark

68 Westy
92 Jetta (oh it is retired)
99 Eurovan
05 NBC
06 Audi A3
72 Westy (I am going to fix it up)

[SGKent]

[richparker]

Seems that people are having some trouble with the cooling on a WC swaps. There are threads on the forum with swaps simliar to what you're thinking and there's also a thread on radiator mounting.

Agreed with SGKent, it will never be like a modern car although it will be fun to drive. Don't forget about the brakes.
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__________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[hazetguy]

[curtp07]

I love the way my bus rides. For what it is it's a blast.

And when I rode in skills' mad machine...holy crap!

Now THATS a bus.
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Subaru

[Zeitgeist 13]

You Bay folks may not be aware, but the OP is one of the most gifted VAG techs on this site...or continent. The dude has mad skillz, and I have zero doubt he will nail this install. Watch, reflect and be amazed.

You do realize that the engine is running counterclockwise, right?
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Casey--

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

[Starbucket]

My 71 westy is stock and when people ask my why I would drive something like that, I tell them "When I drive the road is wide open, no traffic, and there is always a big traffic back up behind me". That's why my license frame says "Relax you are behind a VW Bus". Keep it stock or you are missing the whole idea of owning an old VW.

[xoo00oox]

Thanks for the comments guys. Nice to see there is much interest in this project.


I have admired Skills beautiful work at the CT VW shows. Amazing detail!


I know it's not going to handle like a modern car. I hope to improve the power, heat, and reliability along with making a cool project. The biggest improvement I think will come from the much more modern 5 speed.
The stock transmissions in these vans seem to be getting more and more scarce every year. It should be nice to cruise at 65 mph at around 2700rmp.

[gintaras]

Maybe a dumb question, but how do you go about reversing the output rotation of the differential?
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1979 Deluxe Westy in Mexico Beige

[captincanuck]

Looks to be an interesting build. Will be watching the progress. That is a nice looking bus. Good score for your project
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1979 Westfalia "FireFly" Subaru 2.2 with Subaru gears 5spd.
Build Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=634777&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[timvw7476]

[Xevin]

[wcfvw69]

While I'm a stock Nazi purist, I always appreciate a well done modification too. I have to say, I drove about 80 miles in my bone stock 70 bus today on the freeway. Wow would it be nice to have a 5th gear to lower the cruising RPM and the ability to still spin the cooling fan enough to cool the engine.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[xoo00oox]

[xoo00oox]

[dasdachshund]

Cool.



-dasdachshund

[Sloride]

Watching. Love your work on the Vanagons.
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1972 Westfalia - 1.8 VW in-line h2o conversion
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Link to the engine swap:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=565304&highlight=

1964 Ruby Red Beetle

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=705757&highlight=ruby+red

[cmonSTART]

Gonna watch this one.
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'78 Bus 2.0FI
de K1IGS

[gs2]