SOT: A Westy Just Winked @ me, looking for a little input Options

[76-914]

About 30 mins ago a guy called and asked if I wanted to buy his 86 Westy that needs an engine. You see where this is headed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) I said no because I need to get rid of one project before taking on another. Mind you, this comes from a guy who's been spouting off about downsizing so he doesn't leave this mess should he unexpectedly depart this planet suddenly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) I tell my wife about the call and she tells me that I should do this. What should I look for when checking one of these out? Known gotcha's? Price ranges? Drive train will be converted to ...................drum roll pls................Yes, Subaru so I won't need VW engine or transmissions estimates. TIA, Kent

[strawman]

I’ve had two Vanagon Westies: an ‘81 diesel full camper that I swapped an ‘85 1.8 gasser into, and an ‘86 Syncro Westy that I converted to weekender and swapped a ‘94 Legacy EJ22 engine into. Wish I still owned the Syncro mainly because they’re commanding such a premium price. I sold mine in 2005 for $9,900... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

But to be honest, my TDI-swapped ‘93 Eurovan Westy (weekender) is better in every drivability measure: the A/C actually works, I can hear others talking while riding inside the van, I get 30mpg, the brakes stop the van, the seats are great, and it feels so much more solid. Of course, I also swapped in a correctly-geared 5-sp manual so I don’t have to dread another auto rebuild when I did the TDI swap. Parts prices and availability are not too bad; no worse than Vanagon stuff.

I like Weekenders better than full campers because the side cabinet reduces the lower bed size, and the kitchen stuff is squeaky/clingy/heavy. The Cometic fridges are notoriously finicky, too. A propane stove and Yeti cooler are a better substitute IMHO.

Another thing to look for is body seam rust on Vanagons. If you’re planning a Suby swap, the Kennedy full kit will get you a CARB smog badge to legally run in CA.

[Tom_T]

If you’re planning a Suby swap, the Kennedy full kit will get you a CARB smog badge to legally run in CA.

Is it still winking at you Kent!? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Kent & others looking at Engine Swaps - as noted above on the Kennedy Subies - I just noticed on the GoWesty upbuilt WBX-4's that they've added a new caution on the engines that they're not for CA on-road use (that was NOT on them up until recently). So CARB must've come down on them for not having CARB Smog approvals yet.

So for Kent & others here in CA, I'd check with GoWesty to see if & when they plan to get CARB approval for their engine builds - & if they can. The WBX Vanagons are still subject to meeting Smog, & IIRC even the current bill in the CA Legislature to move the age up from 1975 only goes out to the early 1980's (the way-back-when original bill was to be a rolling 30 year, but the tree-huggers got it changed to 1975 cut-off).

Current GoWesty Engine Choices - look at the "Emissions Info" tab for the warning note:

2200 cc - 8.81 CR with up to 102 hp & 135 ft.lbs of torque w/ GoWesty EFI*

https://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php...type=Mechanical


2300 cc - 9.0:1 CR, with up to 114 hp & 157 ft.lbs of torque w/ GoWesty EFI*

https://www.gowesty.com/product/rebuilt-eng...gine-?v=Vanagon


2450 cc - 9.4:1 CR, with up to 132 hp & 177 ft.lbs of torque w/ GoWesty EFI*

https://www.gowesty.com/product/rebuilt-eng...gine-?v=Vanagon


2700 cc - 10:1 CR, with up to 162 hp & 197 ft-lbs of torque w/ GoWesty EFI*

https://www.gowesty.com/product/rebuilt-eng...gine-?v=Vanagon


$500 Add-on 48/48K mi Warranty (twice as long as was the 24/24 Factory Warr. new!) -

https://www.gowesty.com/product/rebuilt-eng...grade?v=Vanagon

* Apparently it's somewhat less HP & TQ if you stick with the factory Digifant EFI (only works up to 2450 cc)

FYI for comparison with the above:
Stock 1987-91 2.1L WBX is 9.0:1 CR, with 95 HP at 4800 rpm & 117 lbs/ft of Torque at 3200 rpm

GoWesty Engine Article -
https://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=31

GoWesty Vanagon Tech Articles - Incl for PPI Items -
https://www.gowesty.com/tech-articles.php?l...mp;type=Vanagon

GoWesty article: "Prices: "Cheap" Vanagons Are the Most Expensive" -
https://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=17


Otherwise I'd recco using Tuttles in LA area, the engine rebuilder in the SoCal area which my longtime mechanic Hans has used since the early 1970s, & who rebuilt my `73 914's 2.0 ABX in the early 80's, & our `88 Westy's 2.1L WBX in 1999 (technically a new engine cuz a rod "holed" the top of the case at the right-rear corner of my original motor!). Tuttles would rebuild for CA street use to an officially legal 2.1L stock engine (with allowed overages for bigger rings etc. per factory & CARB specs), with a 12 month warranty.

http://www.tuttlesvwparts.com/engines/



However, you might need to go through my guys at Hans Imports in Huntington Beach for the engine work to use them. Hans is still taking new Vanagon customers - but he will NOT take on any new 914 nor Aircooled customers - so don't ask them, but you can use my name/recco for Vanagons.

http://www.hansimportsinc.com/


While IMHO the full camper is a better deal for us, & is fully self-contained & ready to go after traveling XC & camping in it with 2 kids & 2 adults for 31+/- years now, I will add a 48 Qt Icechest for the longer trips to augment the small fridge - which is 3-way (12v/110v/LP) & keeps cold, makes ice, & lasts a week+ on propane (I even keep it set-up to serve for post-disaster/earthquake for us at home).

Another interesting Westy website - start here & then explore & see others listed FS, etc. -

http://www.vwvanagoncamper.com/history/

.

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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