Cool Vanagon

[TerryBPP]

http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_1965.shtml

[kach22i]

What makes your car special? The 1.8T engine conversion. With over 130 more horsepower than stock (which is 90HP) and about 250 lb-ft of torque this heavy machine moves out very nicely now with better fuel economy........................................... ....Engine Modifications- The only modification on this engine is the APR Chip Programming and intercooler cooling so far… Intercooler is factory GTI for now with modified inlet scoops on both Innercooler and Intake sides.Intercooler blower fan added with special duct work to help force air through the cooler.

COOL!

[rammstein]

That is very cool.

[notfarnow]

Wow, and a synchro westy to boot! $$!!

[legion]

Was the Vanagon air cooled to begin with?

[Tim Walsh]

I love the engine choice. Very cool vanagon.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by legion
Was the Vanagon air cooled to begin with?

Only the very early ones had the type4 aircooled engine. Subsequent ones had the flat 4 watercooled engine.

A few had the 1.6 diesel, but they were scary slow. However, those diesel vanagon bellhousings allows you to swap in just about any VW I4 engine... including early TDi (AHU or 1z) engines, or Canadian 1.9idi (AAZ).

Because of that, you'll often see diesel vanagon bellhousing, oil pan, engine mounts on ebay for up to $1000.

[911boost]

That is sweet. There is a guy at my work that has a Syncro Westy that looks very similar to that here in Colorado.

Someday I'll own one, I still miss my 78.

Bill

[Dan in Pasadena]

VW would have sold a hell of a lot more Vanagons if they'd thought to do that originally.

[cantdrv55]

"go anywhere" feature?

That thing'll flip over. It'll look and sound cool doing it though.

[notfarnow]

Old school:

[ckissick]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
"go anywhere" feature?

That thing'll flip over. It'll look and sound cool doing it though.

No it won't. Those things do go anywhere. The pop-top is fiberglass and very light. It has a relatively low center of gravity. Check out the videos here:

http://www.busman.be/pagina16a.html

Watch 'Swimcro... River Crossing in Zambia', about halfway down. Syncros come with a snorkel air intake as standard equipment.

I swear, I have just as much fun with my Westy as with my early 911. The two best cars ever made.

I'd like to know how the 1.8T passes smog. I'm off to the samba to find out.

[Jamie79SC]

I had a 1.6 diesel. Cruise control consisted of getting to top gear, wedging your foot or a brick on the gas peddle to WOT, and away you go. I was the second owner. By the time I sold it it had been through 3 engines in 5 years!

My mechanic and I dreamed of stuffing a 5cyl. Audi Diesel engine in there...

[john70t]

Not for the Vanagon purists, but there are some Subaru swaps that would be a nice http://www.cycoactive.com/Urabus/

[john70t]

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by Jamie79SC
I had a 1.6 diesel. Cruise control consisted of getting to top gear, wedging your foot or a brick on the gas peddle to WOT, and away you go. I was the second owner. By the time I sold it it had been through 3 engines in 5 years!

My mechanic and I dreamed of stuffing a 5cyl. Audi Diesel engine in there...

Was yours a 1.6 NA or turbo? The NA was supposed to be dangerously slow, but a bit longer lived than the turbo.

I've thought about getting a Vanagon Westy Synchro and running it on canola, but they are spendy. Hard to justify when you could get a nice late 90s Mercedes e300d for the same price.

FWIW, Although they share engine internals with the vw 1.6, the old Audi 5 cyl and Volvo 2.4 diesel have a different mounting pattern than the 4 cyl. I do remember reading about a Vanagon diesel that came with the 5cyl though. FWIW, those audi 5cyl diesel should bolt up to a 924 bellhousing... according to what I've read anyway. Could make a neat commuter car.

[jyl]

I recently got a Vanagon Westy. I'd like to do an engine swap someday, the stock 2.1 is okay on any flat road but inadequate on almost any hill.

The Subaru flat-fours seem like the most practical swap, the engines are widely available and inexpensive, all the adapter parts and know-how are available too, and its been done many times.

I looked into a Porsche flat-six swap but the motor is a bit too tall, plus the project would cost more than the Vanagon. A Subaru flat-six swap is also an option.

This thing is fun to drive. Sitting up high with great visbility is relaxing.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by jyl
I recently got a Vanagon Westy. I'd like to do an engine swap someday, the stock 2.1 is okay on any flat road but inadequate on almost any hill.

The subaru conversions are slick, but have you considered a Tdi conversion? They have bags of torque and great fuel mileage. Many think these engines are better suited for the Vanagons than their original wasserboxers.

http://www.fastforward.ca/tdiconversion/vanagontdihardware.shtml

Originally posted by jyl
This thing is fun to drive. Sitting up high with great visbility is relaxing.

I agree. They have a real smooth ride and are much more "sporty" than most people would expect.

[john70t]

And probably better milage than than the Subie.

[ckissick]

Originally posted by jyl
I recently got a Vanagon Westy. I'd like to do an engine swap someday, the stock 2.1 is okay on any flat road but inadequate on almost any hill.

There's also the Tiico swap, which involves a VW engine.