Vanagon with Protruding 2.0 Jetta motor

[Pherball]

Hello,

Very first post here. I'm considering buying an 87 vanagon converted to, per seller, a 2.0 ABA motor from a 97 Jetta. The motor protrudes above the normal trunk floor and has been outfitted with a circular custom cover, eating some trunk space.

I've done some research on this forum and can't find other examples where the ABA motor protrudes in this fashion. The seller bought it from the person who did the conversion and doesn't know much about cars to answer such questions.

Thoughts? Is this evidence of a micky mouse job? Any idea why conversion would have been done this way?

Thanks!

[4Gears4Tires]

Pretty common to have a pop up raised 2 inches. If it looks like the below then it's not common.

Post a pic.
_________________
'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[jimf909]

That’s not necessarily a mickey mouse job but possibly an odd choice if it looks anything like the above photo. Some of the best conversions raise the lid a couple of inches and add some handy storage space, e.g. SAH 1.8T:
https://www.h2ovanagon.com/1-8t-installation-pricing

As mentioned, post pics.
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- Jim

[joetiger]

Here's my supercharged ABA with a house built around it. It's not pretty but it's been a fun motor for about 30k miles. Mounted at 15 degrees (instead of 50, as some are) it sticks up 3-4 inches above the original deck.

_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell

[MarkWard]

I also needs to add a hat to my engine cover. I had a local mattress company make a mattress with a cutout in the bottom to fit over the cap. Sleeping you don’t know it’s there.

[Pherball]

[Vanagon Nut]

[AndyBees]

Below is a photo of the raised custom engine cover in my 84 Tin-top with a TDI engine. This photo is not of the finished version. I covered the wood frame on each side of the engine bay with thin paneling and a black leather like vinyl stretched tight. The aluminum lid is custom made. I did add sound deadening insulation on the bottom side of the lid and covered it with what you see.

The OE cover goes over it. It has worked just fine for over 12 years. It is about three inches high, maybe a little more.

_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[markswagen]

if the van you are thinking of purchasing, doesn't have a CARB paper sticker on it already, you'll need to register the van out of state, which can be a PITA.
unless it's a screaming deal, or you have a family member in a state where they are not interested in smog, l'd walk away.
l know some will follow and say l'm being over cautious and they've had a vehicle registered out of state and it's never been a problem.
YET is what l say to that one, a couple of traffic stops, and you need to sell your van.
_________________
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[ThinkingD]

I am pro 50 deg. It looks a lot better, you lose a bit of ground clearance but that is the only disadvantage I can think of. You can solve the ground clerance issue by raising the van which looks better in the end. There may be some surprises in your potential van or... it may be great. Good luck with it. Picture?

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87 Titian Red Westfalia 2.0 VW I4 SOHC manual Ottawa, Ontario

[Pherball]

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

Thank you for mentioning the ARB sticker. I didn't know about that. Seller had the car smogged last month. I ran the license number in ARB, and it says "STAR Certification requires: no. Referee Certification required: no. Program Area: Enhanced." The smog certification that seller showed me says "Inspection Reason: High Emitter Profile."

I haven't actually checked the VIN on the car, but license number matches. The smog certification also mislabels the car as an automatic and the engine as a 2.1L, so not sure what that's about.

Seller has no idea whether the car has the ARB sticker.

[crazyvwvanman]

What you need is a B.A.R. sticker.

It will have various details on it including the specific VIN number it is valid for.

CARB is something different and likely not applicable in this case.

Mark

[Pherball]

I meant BAR not ARB, sorry. I assume it must have a BAR sticker if seller was able to certify the smog?

[Vanagon Nut]

The OP's photo showing the engine cover indicates to me that the Jetta 2.0 in there is most likely mounted at 15 degrees.

For point of reference, for my 15 degree mount Jetta 2.0 (ABA engine), I raised the engine cover ~ 4" This is on a Vanagon Westfalia hence my question on whether or not the Vanagon in question is camperized.

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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)

1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[crazyvwvanman]

If it has the white BAR sticker it is often in the driver side door opening.

Here is an example of the sticker from the gallery.

Mark