Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:03:49 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Looking for a New or good used Tiico kit
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well Don,
you just have to find the clever hard working automotive technicians that
appreciate a nice conversion, soobie or otherwise.
Some techs just want 'bone stock' so they don't have to think too hard.
Others like the challenge.
for sure ....an I4 VW engine in a vanagon will be far less intimidating than
a Subaru engine in a vanagon.
Somehow though, I don't hear subaruvanagon people complaining about not
being able to find people to work on it.,
they either do most of it themselves, or find their way to the various
people that specialize in working on those.
The 'cross connection' is not an issue really.
I would even say that Neil with the 1995, 2.0 liter ABA engine code with
Motronic system had at least as much 'cross connection' issues as a basic
Subaru installation.
and heck......damn ! ...even BONE STOCK.......getting someone to do
competent work on a vanagon at a reasonable price can be quite difficult
anyway !!!
( I hope a minor 'damn' isn't outside of the rules for this list - shut ma
mouth ! )
you know, it's what's right for you that matters. For some it's an inline
four VW. For some it's another engine package.
Doing the engine conversion work really well is the main issue - making the
thing reliable and rewarding to drive.
I don't say Subaru engines are totally bullet proof ( though I would use
that word to describe the VW 8 valve 1.8 inline four ....that has got to be
one of VW's best ever engines. You can blow a head gasket, but that's about
it. If you at all take care of it...they will run a long, long time. Easy
and cheap to get too. ) .
I have seen some real engine issues in subaruvanagons. When they are well
done though, and working exactly right ....
they are VERY rewarding to drive. Having a whole extra 1,000 rpm ( compared
to 5,000 rpm vw engines ) to play with is very nice too.
different strokes for different folks.
I am still looking for 'the ultimate' engine for vanagons. I value sheer
durability quite highly. I want it easy to work on, a nice package
fitment-wise, very reliable systems-wise , not too tall top to bottom ( for
engine cover and ground clearance ) ....and impossible to blow up. The
zetec probably does well in all those categories I suspect. Though once
again ....there is a tendency to think 'an American ford engine in my german
vw ?? " .
but we are having so much fun with this vans, that's for sure !
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: Looking for a New or good used Tiico kit
> I'd suggest, if you do find a Tiico "Kit" maybe find one without the SA
> motor and use an 1.8liter golf, Jetta, rabbit motor. Everyone I have
> talked
> to seems to be quite happy with this set-up and they are inexpensive as
> well
> as very much simpler to work on than the Subie conversions seem to be.
>
> Now all the Subie guys will say.."bull crap, the subie is simply the best
> and quite easy to deal with.." but I submit that maybe if you did the
> conversion yourself and really learned everything about the stuff, and if
> you are pretty handy and well versed in troubleshooting electrical
> cross-connections between different brands of motors, or if you have a
> good
> AAA tow policy to get it a possible very long tow or flatbed ride to
> someone
> who will work on a transplant..(VW shop or Subaru shop?...who do you think
> will agree to work on your transplanted subie conversion..)
> well then maybe they are pretty simple...but on a backroad in Nevada or a
> small town in Montana or anywhere with limited access to good mechanics,
> you
> are more likely to find a competant VW mechanic that can fix a VW inline
> water cooled motor in a VW watercooled van than a guy who'll be able to
> knowledgably and effectivly troubleshoot and repair a cross connected
> Subaru/
> VW ... I know the VW guy in my small town won't even look at a
> transplant...He says...Take it to Portland, about 100 miles away
>
> Don Hanson
>
> On Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 1:54 PM, miguel pacheco
> <mundopacheco@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I sold Tiico on TheSamba, early last year. I believe it had 10K on it
>> when I sold it and never had any problems. The gentleman who purchased
>> it is very happy with it. It was not even close to what I needed in my
>> Syncro AW, though. Now it sports an SVX. Vroom, vroom!
>> In reference to what has already been mentioned, regarding other
>> conversion options : I drove Maggie Dew's Westy, with the 2.2 Subie
>> and it felt perfectly suited. A very good driver, that van. Also drove
>> a Joker Westy high top with the 2.5 Subie. This one was very strong
>> runner. Beautiful conversion by FAST Automotive (I think that's the
>> correct name,) in Santa Fe. Now my Syncro AW SVX is simply
>> amazing.......In short, if you're going to stay with gas, this is a
>> great way to go, with plenty of resources. Have never driven a Zetec
>> so I can't comment. Seen one and it looked real nice and at home in
>> there......
>> Miguel
>>
>> 'In heaven all the interesting people are missing.'
>> - Friedrich Nietzsche
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 1:55 PM, Troy <colorworks@gci.net> wrote:
>> > I saw one up on the Samba list a while back. You may have to scroll
>> through the various pages to find it, although a search may get you there
>> too. I would be very wary about putting a Tiico in my van. You probably
>> are
>> aware the company is out of business and parts are scarce. To my
>> understanding this was a South African engine brought into the US, and it
>> was never a great engine transplant to begin with. Lots of vibration
>> problems reported and nightmare after nightmare problems. Personally, I
>> would put extra money into a Subaru conversion or one of the Ford Zetec
>> conversions. I have the Subaru 2.2 in my 89 westy, and drive an outback
>> as
>> my daily drive (2.5). Both have been totally reliable, solid engines. No
>> regrets whatsoever and going through Alaska winters, year after year with
>> this things have proven their dependability.
>> >
>> > Good luck with whatever you decide,
>> >
>> > Troy
>> >
>>
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