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3.6 conversion....in a Vanagon?!?
I was in line at a McD's drive thru in Pasadena this morning and in front of me is a white Vanagon. First, I notice a throaty rumble...and it isn't from my car...it seems to be coming from the Vanagon. Then I notice a Vasek Polak license plate frame. Then, a custom exhaust. Then, something like 315s for rear tires w/some negative camber.
Anyone seen a serious transplant in a Vanagon? Don't know if it was an aircooled 3.6, but it sure wasn't stock... |
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12-20-2002, 02:05 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 2,062
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Saw this on anotherr board (Rennlist). Its in German but you get the idea. Might be close to what you saw.
Ruf Microbus It has a RUF tuned Porsche 993 Ruf 3.6l BiTurbo.... 522hp-675 Nm engine, 5.1 sec 0-100 km/h w/ a top speed of 273 km/h (due to drag).
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Dan Byers |
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12-20-2002, 02:30 PM
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If it had turbo twisted spoked or Ruf wheels, that is Bob Wake's RS America powered vanagon, big reds, G50 box- scary ride when he jumps on it!!
Call Dieter Wanderer . you can reach him thru Tony at TLG 818 982 7610. Dieter perfected the conversion kits for a lot of these 911 powered boxes. |
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12-20-2002, 02:31 PM
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Location: LBC
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I saw what I believe was a 3.2 bus (red and white?) at Pomona earlier this month. Curious (not critical of) about the motivation...
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12-20-2002, 03:43 PM
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Dieter and Martin Schneider figured out the Vanagon was a nice piece , but seriously lacking in power. The 3.6 motors are very reliable, lots of torque, and with a G 50 makes for comfortable 80 mph plus cruising. They have a fair number of camper, pick up, 4wd syncro, and regular van clients that made the jump. Porsche actually did it as well for some of their "executive expresses" They brought one here some years ago for the Monterey Porsche Parade. Borbet wheels and a big 911 motor were on that example. There was some article somewhere about these vans doing 120 + on the autobahn!!
Also check out Fabcar's site: Dave Klym built a 3.6 powered VW early van for Charlie Slater (ex owner of IMSA) You may find some pix there |
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12-20-2002, 04:09 PM
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When I was at the Nurburgring last summer there were 7-10 Vanagons with RUF power and Porsche wheels/big brakes/etc. They were going racing on the Northern loop...really cool and hilarious at the same time. I have some video of them heading out to the track from the parking lot...I will have to digitize it one of these days.
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993 |
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12-20-2002, 04:58 PM
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Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
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I saw that white vanagon at Pomona last year. Very nice piece.
I laughed at the turbo twist wheels, the big reds, and the carrera script until I looked under the rear of the thing, then it wasn't funny anymore. |
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12-20-2002, 06:12 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: los angeles, CA.
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I've seen that 3.6 vanagon @ TRE, ohmygod what a piece of work. Not cheap, though, the 996 turbo wheels and tires are worth more than most clean, stock vanagons running around. That guy is a real automotive artist and craftsman, but what parts bill!
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12-20-2002, 06:19 PM
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Too big to fail
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How about a 3.6L 23-window microbus, complete with Tip:
http://vintagebus.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?string=3.6L+bus  
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"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs |
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12-20-2002, 06:24 PM
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ummm....I believe the correct response is "yes, please!"
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12-20-2002, 06:44 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA
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Here is a shot I took of this same bus from Road Atlanta. I WANT one!! It is the bomb! but $125k? Guess I'll heve to wait that one out. Can that price be right??
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Tom '18 Carrera T R #368, S #692 North Carolina |
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12-20-2002, 07:56 PM
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A friend of mine just built this 3.2 and installed it in his late 80's Vanagon. He's just finishing the front oil cooler install and it will be ready for a test drive. I'm already standing in line.
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Bruce Herrmann 97 C4S '04 330i '08 Cayenne S '07 4.8 X-5 |
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12-20-2002, 08:00 PM
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Great shots of that early type II. a total rocketship of buses for sure!
I took one look at the 3.6 living in the back and remembered the days when I drove my'62 panel bus with 2078cc and dual weber 40IDF's..... It makes me nervous now thinking of all that power and you're sitting right up front.....kinda like sitting in the nose cone of a missle........ but still a way cool bus....
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Johnny Riz 1973 911 Custom Euro 3.2L "Sports Purpose" '10 Subaru WRX-STi Hatch - modded. RGruppe#152 Early 911S Reg.#335 |
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12-21-2002, 09:31 AM
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my mechanic installed a 911's 2.7 in his VW bus back in highschool. I think everyone knew where he was headed then...
... now he owns 3 911s, 2 944s, an numerous other Audis, VWs, Mercedes, and BMWs
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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12-22-2002, 04:55 PM
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1979 Porsche 911SC 3.0
1973 Porsche 911S 2.4S 
2007 Porsche Cayman S
The Viridian Falcon
SOLD! -- The Purple Pig
SOLD! -- Mighty Mouse
SOLD!! -- Alpine Wolf
