Date:         Thu, 1 Nov 2007 11:11:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Ryan Alfonso <vangina@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ryan Alfonso <vangina@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Tiico Conversion
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

As one of the founders of the TiiCo list I can tell you that its purpose
isn't to sit around and praise the motor or its engineering.  It's a
"support group" not unlike this one.  People bring their problems to the
collective mind of the group.  Again, just like this list.  By reading the
vanagon list, or the TiiCo list, anyone would get the idea we hate our
engines.  Head gasket leaks on the wasserboxer, engine fires, etc.  The
yahoo group tiico list is a valuable resource for problems solving and
catching potential issues before they leave you stranded.  We help each
other out quite a bit, sharing hot rodding tips, parts sourcing, again,
exactly like this list.

Properly dialed in, the TiiCo kit could be/can be/ might be/ or even IS an
easy solution to poor fuel economy and being underpowered.  Admittedly there
have been reliability issues in some cases, and known shortcomings, even
fairly well founded acusations of mis-representation of the product.  But as
time goes on they have addressed these problems with design changes and
improvements.

Engine conversions are all frought with problems and require babying for
years.  It's always something.  Whether it's a subaru, ford, volvo, 2.0L VW,
rotary, deisel, turbine, there will be something -- wiring, exhaust, blah
blah blah, because the engineers didn't intend for these motors to be in
this vehicle.  I've done a lot of conversions to different vehicles over the
years and it's always the same.

Basically I think the majority of people who bought the TiiCo kit had
unreasonable expectations...that they could weld the deck lid shut and
blindly drive on for another 100k.  It's just not like that...  "It's not a
car, it's a volkswagen".  You have to really be an enthusiast to keep these
aging critters on the road.  We're all just a little bit crazy, admit it!
I kinda wonder when my hobby shifted from camping in the van to working on
it.  Some might say "when you bought a TiiCo engine" -- heheh.

Later!
-Ry