Time for an engine swap

[IronBenderII]

So, we were on our way up to Portland to show my kid Portland State. Just North of Grants Pass I decided to take a dirt road to camp for the night. The road was a muddy, tight single lane that turned out to be a driveway. I backed out about 1/8 a mile and all was great until the very end when I saw the road disappear in my rear view. I ended up sliding into a ditch.

I tried to get out but was wedged pretty good. I ended up getting winched out (thanks AAA!). I added some oil and it fired right up/sounded great. We went a couple hundred yards down the road and camped for the night. Well, when I left in the morning it was pretty clear that there was a lot of damage, confirmed by a local mechanic. I ran it too long with no oil pressure while trying to get out. So now I'm getting towed by my favorite uncle back home.

I bought this van because it is a diesel and I knew I could swap whatever I want into it but I wasn't planing on doing that for a couple more years. So now it is time. I've read EVERY thread on the whole internet on this subject (yes, all of them) and am not sure which way to go. So I thought I'd start yet another thread so entrenched interests can get back to war on the subject.

I was originally thinking diesel (Subaru or TDI) but I really don't want to worry about the transaxle. So I think I've decided on gas. I'd prefer not to have to put premium in because I don't know if premium will be available all the places I hope to take this van (think Drive Nacho Drive). So I think that takes out the 1.8T option (all turbos?). I've put some thought into the attributes that are available to me, in descending order. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

1) reliability
2) fuel efficiency
3) availability of parts (this could easily be a #2)
4) ease of maintenance
5) ground clearance
6) power (I want to pull hills at 65 without destroying anything)
20) cost (I want to do this once and do it right - never looking back and wishing I hadn't gone all the way) (don't tell my wife this is #20)

Jack
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'82 Diesel Westfalia with an 1Z TDI, Peloquin, GW 1.5" lift springs, 27" BFG ATs

'75 Bronco with 408 stroker, 40" MTRs, ARB/Dana 60 front/rear, all home built.

And my kid has a really cool baja bug

[jimf909]

I think they all do everything on your list (except the 1.9/2.1 wbx...don't know about the other wbx'RS).

I've had a Bostig for a year and love every bit of it. Hauled up and over Snoqualmue pass yesterday at 60 - 80 mph and cruised to the east side of WA 70 - 80 mph. Silky smooth, quiet and reliable so far (my gf just took it for a trouble-free solo 3,800 mile western states loop and is headed for a longer midwest/SW loop in about a month).

The Zetec is stupid-simple and works (so far ). I'm so pleased to have left the wbx in the rear view. It's an ancient design with way too many parts working far too inefficiently.

From what I understand other non-wbx motors do the same as the Zetec (although Subis have one too many heads for my needs).

Pick any one and enjoy the drive.
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- Jim

[IronBenderII]

Thanks for the reply. Those motors seem very tall, how is the ground clearance?
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FIRST Robotics Coach - #3859 (Wolfpack Robotics) http://www.twitter.com/wprobotics

'82 Diesel Westfalia with an 1Z TDI, Peloquin, GW 1.5" lift springs, 27" BFG ATs

'75 Bronco with 408 stroker, 40" MTRs, ARB/Dana 60 front/rear, all home built.

And my kid has a really cool baja bug

[WestyWanter]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but any idea how much a conversion like a zetec cost?

[IronBenderII]

[MsTaboo]

As for cost, it's all here. http://www.bostig.com
Do the conversion yourself and save $$ and know your van.

Ground clearance is very good with the HC oil pan. It's made from plate steel and fairly stout, but add the engine guard and bounce off rocks!

Keep in mind that the only engines that are California legal are the stock engines, the Subaru 2.2, and the 1.8t. Your van being a diesel originally may allow you to skirt the law if they only look at the paperwork, but you may be up the creek if they check the engine compartment.
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'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[WestyWanter]

Thanks for the link! I guess I would need to do a lot more research but think around 3k for a conversion?

[Paulbeard]

[WestyWanter]

[IronBenderII]

[Microbusdeluxe]

[WestyWanter]

[Zeitgeist 13]

[jimf909]

[IronBenderII]

[buildyourown]

I had my Bostig for 6 yrs now. Overall, its been great. The fact that you do it yourself really does make it much more reliable. I've had a few issues, but non left me stranded and all were pretty easy to resolve.

I do wish it had more power. It is very driveable. But when fully loaded going up a pass it can get stuck between 3rd and 4th and you just have to sit in 3rd at 55mph. A tighter ratio 5 or 6sp tranny would help this.


From what I understand in Cali, you never have to smog at all if you have a "diesel" right? You would need a gas bellhousing which would raise your costs


The 10k figure is awfully high. Motors are still all over the place for $400. I almost bought a whole car for $600 cause I wanted a spare and the a/c compressor.

[furrylittleotter]

I'm no fan of diesels for a few reasons but...I'd just put in a better VW diesel for all the reasons you already listed; legality, transaxle, reliability, economy, etc.

I can't even imagine a better option for you. Certainly not a Zetec conversion...

I don't know if you've ever seen one but CA has mobile emissions stations (with Dyno!) they setup like dui roadblocks.

If they catch you with a petrol motor in a diesel van it will be impounded and crushed.

Neil2

[Waldi]

What about a 1,9 SDI diesel ?
68hp 133nm

[Turbod16v]

Buy a 93-99 golf or jetta for $300 an use the 2.0 motor and injection from it.
When you have adiesel already it is cheap, suoer reliable and parts are dirt cheap.

you can do it for under a grand an go from 48hp to 115hp.

You can mod it to get closer to the 130hp and have plenty of leftover cash.
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1971 westy tin top that got a 74 up pop top bolted on

[david2676]

For what it's worth Ca road side emission check points are voluntary, all you have to do is say your in a hurry and refuse. Be polite and of course don't be dui .... if the van is smog exempt ... I would say so. Those check points are meant for racers etc ....

I did a 2.5 frankin. Have had zero issues getting it smogged, except one station did not want I'm guessing because they had no idea what to do. Block away smog check done with no issue.

I bought the engine as an almost turn key kit .... installed it and since it runs great. It's fun to drive a van with passing power.
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64 bug
91 Vanagon/ Subaru swap Westfalia