[jyl]

I have an '88 Westy with the stock motor. Great vehicle. You will plod up steeper hills in 3rd (or for actual mountains even 2nd) but the motor likes to rev so its not as bad as it sounds. Depends how impatient you are. I'd consider living with the stock motor, confirming you've got a good van, then decide about have a motor swap. TheSamba is your best info source. You might also look at the Eurovans, I don't know as much about them but worth investigating anyway.