anyone have any info on 1.8t conversion into a vanagon?

[eline1]

as the subject line says, looking for any info, pics, pros or cons :D

[Mr_Diesel]

as the subject line says, looking for any info, pics, pros or cons :D

I guess you just want more power eh? Problem with that much power in a vanagon is that the van really wasnt meant to go fast by any means... they are very very unsafe at higher speeds... You just need to be carefull.

You obviously know what you want, and I guess you've looked into the possibilities of a 1.8T already, but I'll tell you what I would do if I had a van. I'd get a canadian 1.9L Turbo Diesel... A coupe reasons why:

1. All you really want is torque... Torque to get that van moving more quickly. The 1.9L TD has lots of it.

2. The Canadian 1.9L TD is fully mechanical. Only wiring you'll need to do is a few wires for the temp and oil pressure senders, as well as the fuel shutoff valve. No ECU or anything to worry about.

3. 1.9L TD in a van will probably get 35-40mpg.. It's going to save you money.

4. Availibility. You'll have an easier time finding a 1.9L TD if you call canadian junkyards... A full 1.8T engine swap is going to cost a pretty penny whereas you could probably get everything you need to do a 1.9L TD swap for less than $1,000 USD.

1.8T's are very very desirable right now, so like I say... much harder to find and very expensive.

------------------

If you don't want to do the diesel route, I'd probably get a 2.0L ABA engine from a 1993-1995 golf or jetta and put a turbo on it. In it's stock form, a turbo 2.0L ABA is going to make more power than your tranny will handle... Reason why I'd get a 2.0L ABA is, once again, availibility. Dirt common, and dirt cheap. I found a complete, 2.0L aba engine for 250 dollars at a local junkyard.... I can then get a full turbo system for probably 1200 ish if you put the kit together yourself...

Now you have an engine that makes just as much power as a 1.8T, only difference being is the parts for the 2.0L aba are much cheaper if you just so happen to break something.

But that is just my opinion. :D

[eline1]

I have a 1.8t w 18k on it out of a 02 Gti, basically the hole front clip (from the dash forward) for $1500, I can get the mounting for $800 then
I have to sort out the wiring. I have a source for tdi setup but the price tag will be substantially more. Just looking for some examples to follow I guess.

[Mr_Diesel]

Well.. there you go! You've already overcome the hard part... Let me see if I can dig up some information for you..... One way or another you are going to need to buy an engine mount kit... from what I understand the van engine mounts just unbolt from the engine and bolt right up to most VW engines... I am not sure if the 1.8T is included in this fitment.

I do know that several people have installed 1.8T's in their MkII's using factory mounts, so that means you should just beable to get a mount kit for your van as if you were to mount a 1.8L 8V or a 1.6L or 1.9L TD into your van, and that kit shoudl work on the 1.8T... The only roadblocks I would suspect you running into is manifold clearance... the engine should fit, but you will have to have custom manifolds made for clearance reasons... Also, you are probably going to need to swap oil pans because you have to mount them on an angle...

You WILL run into transmission problems pushing that much power.... You might need to look into getting a peloquin differential and an aftermarket gear set.

The engine swap should carry along just like any other vanagon engine swap..... You'll probably have to check vortex for more information on that... sorry I could be of more help.

[eline1]

Thanks for the reply! I am thinking on diesel mounts and mounting the engine at 15 degrees instead of on its side at 51 degrees. not sure about
the intercooler setup, drive by wire issues, and coolant hose setup.

[eline1]

heres some pics of my van http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e400/eline1221/Picture014.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e400/eline1221/Picture013.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e400/eline1221/Picture077.jpg

[Calabi]

heres some pics of my van

Lookin good. Didn't they use a Vanagon in that movie Mac and Me?

I used to love that movie....lol

[eline1]

heres some pics of my van

Lookin good. Didn't they use a Vanagon in that movie Mac and Me?

I used to love that movie....lol
Ya, I've seen the movie, I think it was an auto carat model :D

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