Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:50:53 -0700
Reply-To: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Decisions..
In-Reply-To: <5c80974c0707281256v3e5aef70r962cb668641a43f8@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Us old slow guys still have our moments Suds. :-)
On 7/28/07, Sudhir Desai <sudhir.desai@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dammit Jake... I was going to say that... (and then I scrolled down in
> the gmail thread :P )
>
> Sudhir
>
> On 7/28/07, Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Boy, you guys don't communicate very well sometimes.
> >
> > Not 200 more HP Jim, more than 200 HP.
> >
> > Settle down eh? :-)
> >
> > On 7/28/07, Jim Akiba <syncrolist@bostig.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Ben, 200 more HP out of the 2.5 without forced induction? Dude I'd be
> MAD
> > > impressed if you could, it would be very difficult, and certianly
> wouldn't
> > > be a streetable setup anymore. The only way possible I can think of
> would
> > > be to either spray it, or build it to wind out to 11 grand. How were
> you
> > > thinking?
> > >
> > > Ricardo, a buddy of mine that runs a tuning outfit in CA has been
> racing
> > > with a zetec built to do this for the last year. They are going to
> compete
> > > in some pri world challenge circuit this year too.. but they are
> putting
> > > 280HP to the wheels and winding out to 12K rpm... it's like a huge
> > > motorcycle engine! Of course not usable for a van, but pretty sweet
> > > non-the-less. Cosworth sells a race prepped zetec like that for around
> > > $35k,
> > > he can do it for $18k.. of course he doesn't have the name.
> > >
> > > Jim Akiba
> > >
> > > On 7/28/07, Benny boy <huotb@videotron.ca> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > It look like a paid advertisement! funny!
> > > >
> > > > You are funny Robert, but i like you.
> > > >
> > > > As for power....
> > > >
> > > > Do you need a another video, i can make one.
> > > >
> > > > The 2.5 is amlmost scary, at least mine.
> > > >
> > > > As for reliability, well, we are still driving a 20 year old van,
> > > anything
> > > > can go wrong.
> > > >
> > > > Today, i have seen an old 2.2 Subaru conversion harness, scary,
> today
> > > 2.5
> > > > harness as nothing to do with the old stuff, as for the cooling line
> and
> > > > system, it's simply 10 time better than the original OEM vw design.
> This
> > > > is
> > > > normal 20 years later.
> > > >
> > > > The 2.5L at 170hp or so can produce way more power very easily, it
> was
> > > > kept
> > > > down for reliability, i can get more than 200 hp easily out of that
> > > > engine,
> > > > no Turbo, no nothing...
> > > >
> > > > Cheers, Ben
> > > >
> > > > On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:45:40 -0700, Robert Keezer <
> warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM
> > > >
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >I think to understand the Zetech conversion, it
> > > > >is best done by seeing it with your own eyes,
> > > > >and by your own seat-of-the-pants experience:
> > > > >driving it.
> > > > >
> > > > >I will not need a dyno test comparison to help
> > > > >make a decision between Subaru and Zetech.
> > > > >
> > > > >They differ in ways that can't be measured by
> > > > >dynamometers. And, since they are not equal, they
> > > > >can't be compared fairly. So what's the point?
> > > > >
> > > > >Your point of decision for any conversion must be
> > > > >upon seeing and driving the vanagon and the
> > > > >engine conversion of your choice first , if you
> > > > >want to be happy with it. Numbers and data alone
> > > > >aren't enough for me. I got to drive it.
> > > > >
> > > > >The Zetech Ford looks like an inline -four ,
> > > > >because it is. Inlines have a bad rap in some
> > > > >places because of (you know who), and yet my 2.0
> > > > >Jetta has not let me down after 216,000 miles.
> > > > >Gee, I'm on the third water pump already.
> > > > >
> > > > >The inline -four Diesel was an original VW
> > > > >Vanagon engine and most have said that VW should
> > > > >have did the gas inline too. And noiw many want a
> > > > >inline Diesel, the TDI etc.
> > > > >
> > > > >One look at the Bostig Zetech conversion up
> > > > >close, and you are curious already.
> > > > >
> > > > >By the time you lay the pedal down flat you know
> > > > >you don't really need more than this.
> > > > >
> > > > >It was so powerful on ,my test drive that even if
> > > > >my '95 Jetta engine was brand new I would have
> > > > >declined to race a Zetech.
> > > > >
> > > > >I was afraid to open it up all the way because
> > > > >this is urban Boston . I would think the cops
> > > > >woould take notice of a Vangon defying the laws
> > > > >of VW Vanagon physics.
> > > > >
> > > > > I won't try to make comparisons. The Zetech
> > > > >engine is something I would have done if
> > > > >1. They were available in 1995
> > > > >2.I did'nt have a Diesel Vanagon
> > > > >3. I had the money.
> > > > >
> > > > >Albeit the kit is not cheap, but then there is no
> > > > >reason why you can't do it yourself . It helps if
> > > > >you can tig weld, and you have engineering
> > > > >skills, as well as the ability to quickly
> > > > >assemble the wiring loom in 15 minutes as I
> > > > >watched Jim Akiba do (ok , maybe a little longer
> > > > >than that)
> > > > >
> > > > >I think that for the amount of effort they have
> > > > >put into this unique conversion they designed,
> > > > >the money spent is not that much if you consider
> > > > >that it's the cost of about two WBX installs 3-4
> > > > >years apart which is not exactly unheard of in
> > > > >these parts.
> > > > >
> > > > >COst is an issue for many of us but then this is
> > > > >a fledgling industry only 2 years old.
> > > > >
> > > > >As I mentioned earlier, I am an old VW skeptic
> > > > >.And I was a Bostig skeptic.
> > > > >
> > > > >How can you not like these guys after you meet
> > > > >them? And get the t-shirt?
> > > > >
> > > > >If you are also a skeptic, seeing this conversion
> > > > >first hand will make it hard for you to resist
> > > > >liking it. Did I forget to say this kit looks
> > > > >incredibly factory? Factory engine yes, but the
> > > > >rest of the items that are Bostigs look very
> > > > >factory good indeed.
> > > > >
> > > > > No one accept dukes of hazard types would say
> > > > >that VW screwed up by not offering a V-8 engine
> > > > >in the bus.
> > > > >
> > > > >VW dared to be different and got away with it.
> > > > >
> > > > >Bostig's Zetech has dared to be different and has
> > > > >designed a conversion motor kit for the Vanagon
> > > > >that has to be seen and driven to be appreciated.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >Robert
> > > > >
> > > > >1982 Westfalia
> > > > >
> > > > >Note: this is not a paid advertisement. This is
> > > > >not even and unpaid advertisement. All personal
> > > > > experiences described here are mine and not that
> > > > >of an actor or stunt double.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >--- David Clarkson <Dvdclarksn@AOL.COM> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >> Hey guys the purpose of my post was not just a
> > > > >> comparison of power between
> > > > >> the Subaru 2.5 and the Bostig Zetech but more a
> > > > >> comparison of all of the
> > > > >> features for the money invested. Also important
> > > > >> to me would be the ease of
> > > > >> installation. I work in the service department
> > > > >> of a Honda dealership and would have
> > > > >> access to a variety of tools lifts etc. I am
> > > > >> certainly impressed by the power
> > > > >> that the subaru 2.5 has overt the Zetech (35 hp
> > > > >> difference right) but would
> > > > >> also have to factor in a very useful upgrade to
> > > > >> the 3rd and 4th gears that
> > > > >> would benefit the Subaru conversion (Daryl at
> > > > >> AA transmission would be great for
> > > > >> this). Factoring in the cost of this (shipping
> > > > >> and opening up the case to
> > > > >> swap out 2 gears) might reduce the difference
> > > > >> in price between the two by
> > > > >> another $500.00-750.00 maybe? Maybe the only
> > > > >> useful feature that both engines
> > > > >> could provide that is comparable would be OBD
> > > > >> II capabilities. Both have
> > > > >> relatively easy maintenance (timing belt
> > > > >> replacement in particular) and I don't know
> > > > >> if I have heard whether or not the Subi 2.5 is
> > > > >> a noninterference engine like
> > > > >> the zetech or not. I would change the timing
> > > > >> belt about every 90-100k if it
> > > > >> were an interference engine to avoid valve
> > > > >> damage if the belt did break to be
> > > > >> safe (BTDT with my Honda customers that like
> > > > >> to play the odds!-expensive).
> > > > >> The other features that the zetech has are
> > > > >> niceties that would give peace of
> > > > >> mind and would avoid a total breakdown but are
> > > > >> they worth the extra bucks? The
> > > > >> supercharger is intriguing but is it worth the
> > > > >> extra $3,000 which would bring
> > > > >> the uninstalled price to $13,000+ dollars? It
> > > > >> seems that you could go with
> > > > >> the 6 cylinder 3.3 Subaru that has slightly
> > > > >> more power for maybe half of what
> > > > >> you would spend on the Zetech but would still
> > > > >> want to upgrade the tranny and
> > > > >> maybe also the axles as well. I would need to
> > > > >> go to the Vanaru site for more
> > > > >> info here. Don't get me wrong; I love the idea
> > > > >> of power for my Westy and will
> > > > >> start a conversion fund now (mayo jar next to
> > > > >> my mgb 8cyl. conversion mayo
> > > > >> jar!). I just want the best combination of not
> > > > >> only power but reliability and
> > > > >> other features in an engine that are important
> > > > >> to me like cost of repair and
> > > > >> availability of parts. I have almost 250k much
> > > > >> appreciated miles on my 90
> > > > >> Westfalia now as it's a daily driver and would
> > > > >> love nothing more than to get
> > > > >> that much again. Why not if you love the
> > > > >> package and have replaced/rebuilt
> > > > >> everything else on the van. It's still cheaper
> > > > >> than a new car payment/depreciation
> > > > >> and is just much more fun than anything else
> > > > >> to drive and camp in. Sorry for
> > > > >> the lengthy post but lets all keep it friendly
> > > > >> and enjoy comparing notes and
> > > > >> thoughts.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> David Clarkson
> > > > >> Loyal fan of the Westfalia/Vanagon
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >> ************************************** Get a
> > > > >> sneak peek of the all-new AOL at
> > > > >> http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
> > > > >>
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >____________________________________________________________________________________
> > > > >Need a vacation? Get great deals
> > > > >to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
> > > > >http://travel.yahoo.com/
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jake
> > 1984 Vanagon GL
> > 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> > www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> >
>
--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
| 
