Ratio of WBX vs swapped T3's?

[Crankey]

Just curious if anyone has a guess what the ratio of stock powered t3s vs any flavor of engine converted out there these days.
In the Seattle area I can think of 5 shops that do conversions and I think there's always one in the works and at least one client waiting.
Are there more converted than stock yet in the US ?

[Tobias Duncan]

Why not add a poll to this thread and find out?

[Ahwahnee]

[Silverghost500]

Taking a sample from Bring A Trailer auctions the majority still have their OEM waterboxer drivetrains. Some air cooled, some OEM diesel. There are a spattering of Subaru/Bostig conversions, and occasional TDI, and very few 1.8T's.
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1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A conversion
3-Speed Automatic

Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA

[Captain Pike]

Out of 9 I swapped 3. I4 2.0 ABA(80 air box) 2.0 ABA(86 standard)and 3.3 SVX(91 modified trans).
There were/are my personal rides.
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LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
....Bad Sneakers....

[Crankey]

[bobbyblack]

Of the 6 at my place, 1 was purchased with a swap in place. I put a swap in another. So, its a 4 to 2 ratio of WBX to swaps right here. I have a couple stock WBX's that I plan to put back in the ones with stock setups in the future when that is needed.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[vanagonjr]

Probably dependent on area. But go to a VW show and count the swaps - I find most are stock. I find out of few dozen Vanagons @ a CT show, about 6-8 are swapped . Couple 1.8T’s, 2-3 Subaru, 1-2 Bostig.
YMMV
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John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed

Complete SA Grill Set-up for sale!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2748907

FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[MsTaboo]

Engine conversions require a fair amount of work and money to do right, not surprising there are still more with WBX.
The true question is to ask owners of converted Vanagons if they would ever go back to stock, I'm pretty sure the vast majority would say never!
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
When you stir up shit you're bound to get some on yourself.
Resist Kleptocratic Oligarchy (and Idiocracy)!

[Crankey]

I'll be going to the burger meet and the vintage meet late this summer but neither is a big Vanagon show. I'll definitely look for subi swapped air cooled dubs of any kind though.

[jimf909]

Easily less than 5% of Vanagons have engine swaps. My guess is that Bostig has sold less than 500 kits (15 yrs x 30 kits/year = 450 kits). Let's multiply that by x10 for Subie kits and x 5 for FAS and SAH kits = 4,500 + 2,250 = 7,150 kits which is .07% of 1M Vanagons.

Make whatever adjustments you want to the assumptions and it's still a very small number. Most Vanagon owners have never once considered a swap and most Vanagon owners have never visited an enthusiast sites like this one.

That's my late night WAG.
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- Jim

[Corwyn]

Still no poll . . . .
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'90 White Westy ("White Lightning")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[mikemtnbike]

[Crankey]

Yeah I know but I'm not thinking just here in this focused community, but nationally or in the total of driving operating Vanagons

And I think jimf909 is about right I see t3' regularly on the street and when I can take a peek at rear skirt for an unusual exhaust or oil pan, or exhaust note. That does back up jimf's points.

[Abscate]

It’s even easier than that. In the 2020 Census the number of wankers was counted, and if you put a Soobie into your VW you are a Wanker.

Therefore, you weigh the same as a duck, therefore you float, therefore you burn, and hence…..
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[riceye]