Date:         Tue, 15 May 2012 13:43:15 -0400
Reply-To:     Bill M <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill M <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Which Engine To Install and by Whom
Comments: To: Jon Durham <jon_durham@KNOLOGY.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <4FB28337.40202@knology.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Where are you located at? 
Foreign Auto Supply is awesome. I met Jon through my buddy as their close friends and purchased a Tiico HO
a few years back. While that particular engine wasnt for me
Jon was great to deal with. They have a few new products
out now that are first rate. 
I also have a good relationship with the Bostig guys who are 
the Zetec providers. I have a Zetec Turbo in my  Westy. The
ability to purchase all new was major factor in making my choice. Plus they were excellent to deal with before,during,and after my conversion. It's a very simple conversion that can be done with a minimal amount of tools
and knowledge. My 12 year old son can handle just about all
of the conversion except the mating of the engine to tranny. 
If you decide to go with a Subaru or want more info the yahoo group has tons of files and sources to use. The thing 
to keep in mind with a Subaru is making sure if you use
multiple vendors that the parts work with each other. 
I also read that John Wessles (sp?) has installed an engine out of a Pontiac solstice in his syncro. 
As for a 2.1 upgrade. I personally would only get a rebuild from Rocky Jennings or Chris aka 10Cent. I have only heard
good things about both these guys. GoWesty I have heard good and bad but keep in mind that they sell a lot more engines. Perhaps even a 100:1 compared to Chris/Rocky so
their is bound to be some complaints. With that same made up statistic in mind with Chris/Rocky your getting an engine that has more attention to detail. I believe they both have waiting lists at this time. 

Bill

On May 15, 2012, at 12:24 PM, Jon Durham <jon_durham@KNOLOGY.NET> wrote:

> What is the opinion on these engines?
> 
> http://foreignautosupply.com/
> 
> On 5/15/2012 11:11 AM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>> I'm investigating this too.
>> 
>> The problem with your question is that given an infinite amount of time and
>> money you can do just about anything. Here is my personal favorite, but it's
>> not so good for a camper:
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD2tYiyX_sE&feature=channel&list=UL
>> 
>> In my mind there are only two options for a normal person.  The Bostig kit
>> (www.bostig.com) , which is the only turnkey kit available and uses all new
>> parts.  You can get a brand new Zetec crate engine for a grand plus $150
>> shipping:
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-FORD-FOCUS-ZETEC-2-0-LITER-16V-DOHC-ENGINE-2000-
>> 2004-/290711119875?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43afbba803
>> &vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1023   or a used one for $250.   Every bit of this install
>> is new, with the exception of the power steering pump which they recommend
>> getting used.  Bostig support seems to be good. You also have the benefit of
>> an OBD2 diagnostic system, and an engine that is cheaper to replace than it
>> is to fix. (Think about that for a minute.  You could keep a spare in the

>> garage!)
>> 
>> The other well documented swap is the Subaru 1995-96 2.2 SOHC engine.
>> Kennedy Engineered Products (http://www.kenneYadyenginc.com) has an adapter
>> kit, but you must get all the ancillary parts as well as the engine from a

>> donor car and there is a lot of fabricating and fiddling. If you follow the
>> Subaru Vanagon Yahoo! list like I have you will see there appears to be
>> endless fiddling with most Subaru installs.   You also need to fabricate a

>> custom wire loom from the stock loom (several hours work alone).  It's
>> getting hard to find low mileage engines now (trust me and I don't think
>> 100k is low mileage).
>> These engines have the early OBD1, which is at least of some use.
>> 
>> They both have their advantages and disadvantages, but none are as bad as

>> the waterboxer. It was a flawed plan right from the beginning to convert an
>> air cooled engine into a water cooled engine simply by casting water jackets
>> on the case and adding new heads.  The longevity of this engine is in
>> inverse proportion to the power it puts out as well with the 1.9 being the
>> longest lived by far, maybe by as much as a factor of 2 over the 2.1.
>> 
>> Plan on being your own mechanic with any conversion, unless you can find a

>> pro who will install and service it.   If you do it yourself, you will
>> probably be happier with the install simply because you will have invested a
>> lot of time in making it work well.
>> 
>> There are shops all over the country that will install one or the other for
>> you, and the total cost for a pro install for either is about the same here
>> (Seattle).  I expect you could do the Subaru yourself cheaper than the
>> Bostig, but time is money too!
>> 
>> Good luck!
>> 
>> Stuart
>> '85 Westy, time constrained and leaning towards the Bostig
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>> Jon Durham
>> Sent: Monday, May 14, 2012 4:38 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Which Engine To Install and by Whom
>> 
>> As best I can tell, to get more horses, there is a 2.1 WB, a 2.2 WB, a
>> Subaru, and a Ford engine to replace my 1.9L engine in my 85 Vanagon.
>> 
>> I would like to get opinions on the engines and recommendations as to who is
>> good for installing the engines.
>> 
>> Cheers
>> --
>> "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

>> Anatole France
>> 
>> 
> 
> --
> "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains
> unawakened." Anatole France