C'mon Doc you have plenty of room! That bay is appreciating in value! It can just sit around now all purty.

Seriously...the one without the motor.... If someone could buy it with the trailer it would be a nice deal (IF it's as rust-free and decent as described). Maybe get it for a bit less and clean it up, slap a motor in it, make it safe, drive it.

Tom, your Aunt is lucky to have you. She must be a great person.

Tom, the way that Edelbrock casts their valve covers is for the breathers to be staggered. I wanted both of the breathers to face forward...so you wind up with one of his signatures reading "Creatively"
A late model 928 32v engine would be awesome in the Vanagon engine bay. Simple procedure: torch/ hammer/ machine shop
Marty

So you're really just saying that you wanted to read both sides right side up from the one side when you're working on the motor!

I also meant to say the my uncle's 32 Deuce eventually had a bored & stroked Chevy 327 Holly 850 & Edlebrock hi-rise, but only after he gave up on tweaking the Ford Flat Head (239ci IIRC) & then a later Merc V8.

His 58 Vette also eventually had a similar OE stock 327 setup (IIRC it was triple-deuce from the factory), but was eventually punched/stroked & ran the Holly 1250 & E-brock Hi-rise, when he held the class for a couple of years at the old OC Dragstip off I-5 during the early 60's (IIRC 64-65-ish).

Then he & his partner on a fuely rail put an aviation supercharger on a Chev big block (partner was an AV mechanic at USMCAS El Toro & had "access"), which had way too much boost & blew the engine about every other run, so they had 2-3 motors. They probably would've held that class too, if the motors weren't always blowing.

He was an interesting guy who owned the only bindery in OC, so he did all the 60's surfer & hot rod magazines & gave me the discards free to read (I was into body surfing though). Great stuff for a 10 year old in `63 thru high school & college during the 60's & 70's!

This one looks pretty good too if you want a Westy. I'm not a camper myself...

Westy no engine

The body isn't perfect but check that interior...would guess it's hard to find one with the inside in that condition. And the price is "obo"... Could make a nice driver for someone out west. You guys have all the good cars.

That would be a perfect candidate for a conversion.

Even comes with a bumper upgrade. I'll bet it doesn't last long.

Nothing to it, just bring the Syncro 4wd
MartyClick to view attachment

I should have taken a picture. Jonathon at Integrity Auto in Bend. Had 3 westy's. One 4x4 1 4x4 pickup thing (not sure what they are called). The 3rd he just painted & it's getting a NA 2.5 suby installed. I believe the first 2 both had suby 6's

A Syncro Doublecab you mean? Jamie! Pics!

Doc, this one is south of you...

Delivery Van

Says "very good" condition...might be a nice tranny hauler/mobile workshop but you'd have to look at it to be sure. Guessing the back seats are no longer there.

Stop it, Chris H.! I am trying to cut back. That last one had me tempted. I will buy just about any project that is <$3K.

Jerk

HAHA! Hey I can't go through this addiction alone man.

Cool thing is there probably isn't a huge market for that one.... It has great bones, but it's got no rear seats and someone else's business logo on it. Call it a "delivery van" all you want...it's just a van with no rear seats. Let's see if it sits a while...maybe the price will go down EVEN MORE!

That's just south of me, no no no, I don't need it

If it were a synchro I would buy it now. I am holding out. I have a local friend that me be interested.

Stephen, when you coming over for a visit? I am less than 1hr away.

Another possible nice one posted in the wrong place on The Samba...

Brown Vannie

Disclaimer: I know NOTHING about these Samba Vanagons for sale...just throwing them out there.

BTW what are we looking for rust-wise? Front door step plates? Underside?

Okay Jonathon sent me a few Pics

WANT!

Decent looking van, but it's an automatic. Many of these get named 'Turtle'....which is an insult to turtles everywhere.

Well that's good info Marc...'cause I thought I wanted an auto. Are people swapping to Subie auto or what?

I'm not sure Chris. I would think it could be done with some research and creative machining. I have no idea how much hp that tranny can handle.

I've driven one AT Vanagon and that was a Westy with a 1.9 so it was really underpowered; almost to the point of being unsafe IMO. I'll ask my conversion mechanic whether he's done any automatics.

Cool, thanks. When I look at one of these I'm assuming the stock engine is coming out, but you do bring up a good point.... how much can the Vanagon auto trans handle? Probably not designed for high hp...wonder how many engine/trans swaps are out there and what they are?

Wow those synchros are bad a$$ Jamie. The silver one .

According to my conversion specialist, the VW a/t works very well with Subies. They 'do it all the time'. He even has a custom made adapter plate he sells and will be offering a complete conversion kit within the next month - you supply the engine. NorthWesty

Did someone say Vanagon?

Still sitting on the sidelines since a recent evaluation on my 1.9L was good

Would love an H6, except for the fuel economy

Click to view attachment

I've done a couple of Vanagon conversions (Westy Diesel to GTI engine in 1997, and Westy Syncro to Suby 2.2 in 2002), and the Suby conversion was by far the best of the two. I'd get 25mpg at 6k feet elevation and would cruise up over Donner Pass at 55mph loaded. I wish I never sold it in 2005 for $9900, even though I sold it to Warren Chapman (God rest his sole -- he was one of the Suby conversion pioneers). That vehicle would be worth twice that today!

My latest is a recently-completed TDI swap into a '93 Eurovan Weekender. I'll bring it to the West Coast Ramble because my Suby-914 isn't done yet (!!). I just got the EV running a few weeks ago and I'm still working through a few small issues. The Eurovan is not as well-loved as the Vanagon, but IMHO it is worlds better in terms of driveability -- the air conditioning system is vastly superior, it is quieter inside, the suspension is cushy, and the cooling and exhaust systems don't seem like an afterthought. YMMV.

IIRC the stock AT was also used on the 1980's Oettenger H-6 conversion too with no problems, & maybe on that Porsche B32 3.2 Carerra when not the G50 stick too.

My brain is jelly now with all my other family stuff, so I don't remember the HP/TQ nos. on either Oettenger nor the B32, but they're probably not far off the modern Subie H-6s.

Nice Westy Mark - I see you did the solar set-up for boon-docking too!

Cheers!
Tom
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I think the hot ticket in the Eurovan T5 era was the Winnebago full camper conversion, which was also was a step more refined than the Vanagon T3/T25 ones.

Once they got the VR6 & some VW quality issues resolved - the Winnegao Rialta was a sweet rig too, but too big to double as your DD.

We almost switched to both of those at different points of the 1990's, but I'm glad we kept the Vano-Westy.

Best I've gotten under any circumstances is 16mpg. My right foot does have a weight problem.

I'll be driving 'Eileen' up to the Seattle area sometime this summer to pick up one of my Honda Mini Trails I left up there. I'd like to check out your conversion, Marc.

But then again, maybe I shouldn't ... the 1200 mile trip home with an anemic 1.9L would probably be pretty miserable

I'll even let you drive Tintipi, Mark....see how you'll feel about the drive home then.

BTW, you're welcome to camp in my back 40.

My 1985 doka; the German8r
400 hp Lt1 350", cruises in 5th (g50/5 speed) at 75 mph about 2800 rpm.
Real smooth freeway truck.
Marty Click to view attachment

Have you got any pictures of it doing wheelies?

wow $$$$$
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4925768432.html

The price is not a misprint, they want what they put into it, not any profit. Good luck with that.

However, I see a few advertized in the $70K side. It doesnt mean they are getting it, but that is the face people see in this niche market. I saw a synchro just south of me last weekend. I was surprised....and envious. It was worn, but that is cool.

You saw the ad right?

"This Van is really special. "

It's SPECIAL. C'mon!

Yeah for $109k....hmmmm...I'm not buying a Vanagon. No question it's a nice one though. Love the color and '80's graphics.

I'll take a worn one too...for 1/10th the price.

These are getting to be as good of an investment as early Porsche 911s

No pics of Wheelies. ..but I do have the two halves of one axle that snapped (sway-away). These make excellent workbench tools in the welding shop
Marty

Yeah Mark can you make me a list of the cars you own and send it over? So far you've done REALLY well. I'll just buy what you have and park 'em.

He'll get close to it I'll bet!

Go to the GoWesty website & look at their current & past sales history on restored Vano's & Westies. Although prices dipped during the "Great Recession" 2008-13-ish, they're back on track again, & Syncro Westies typically were selling for nearly $100k before the crash! .... & will again soon IMHO.

So all the other 2WD & AT Westies, Weekenders, etc. will also go up respectively.

Don't believe what you see for prices on NADA, KBB, Edmunds, etc. for the Vano Westies, Dokas, Synchros, etc. - cuz they're only covering the non-restored ones which are mostly POS's, DDs or project cars!

That's why I wasn't too unhappy when I had to move our Westy's resto up in front of my 914 when my wife got clipped in the Westy & the original paint clear coat was failing & the spot repair wouldn't adhere or last properly. The Westy is worth more done than my `73 914-2.0 when done & until 914 prices come up a bit more than already.

I still need to get an "official" appriasal on our Westy, but several value estimates are that it's easily in the $35-50k+ range now, & could go to $50-70k-ish when we get the GoWesty 2.5L in there (waiting for it's next need to rebuild the heads or whatever for that).

Cheers!
Tom
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A Westy Vanagon is also one of the very few vehicles that can be worth more with a well done engine conversion than a stock one.

I'd really like to stuff a 2.2L Subi in Eileen. I think it would be a good trade-off - more HP and good fuel economy. There are times when I could use a bit more poop under the pedal

Samba deals du jour:

Logovan down $300...

Down to $2600!

These are what I'd like to have (but have too much on my plate to buy right now):

91 Carat

87 Wolfie

Nice Synchro for someone :

Synchro L

I should buy that Syncro and stick the Westy pop-top on it ...






... except my wife would probably beat me to a bloody pulp

OK, here's another VW product who's market value is higher than our little 914s

Click here

Mark,

If you ever decide to make that dream a reality ill be there for you to help with the heavy lifting. could be fun.

Which dream? ... that Syncro, or stuffing a Suby 2.2L into Eileen?

I'm just going to leave this here.........

Porsche 991 wheelbase 96.5" (96.7" for GT3)

Vanagon wheelbase 96.9"

discuss......

991 weight distribution: 39/61

Vanagon weight distribution: ~ 51/49 (depending on model Vanagon weight distribution)

914 weight distribution: 46/54

914 wheelbase: 96.5

Sale pending on the Synchro... Mark ?

Interesting stats on the Vanagon F/R balance and dimensions... What do you do for suspension when you double or triple the power? Is there an aftermarket for that stuff to stiffen it up and get it lower ?

The stock Syncro suspension is pretty beefy as it stands. My eg33 probably adds 150-200# which probably means my weight distribution flips to ~49/51. The Syncro comes stock with a stout front sway bar but none in the rear. I've upgraded to the larger Audi brake package in the front while the rears are stock drums. I've had a couple of instances of 'panic braking' due to careless drivers and the brakes were superb, helping to maintain precise control. Handling is surprisingly nimble, no doubt enhanced by the additional power. Instead of relying on momentum driving, the pedal under the right foot is actually functional. This is especially satisfying on mountain roads with uphill hairpins.

For my rig, lowering is not desirable and I am aware of a higher cg; but it's not uncomfortable by any means. I think the Vanagon suspension is over-engineered for the stock engine and doubling the power serves to unlock attributes hidden by weak performance. I really like driving Tintipi.

Here is my 1982 Vanagon Diesel
1.6 liter
48 HP
109 lb.ft. of torque
I have to laugh at those specs.
And yes, it's slower than whale shit off the line.
A buzz box at 60 MPH.

I paid $1500 for it 10 years ago. It was a deal even back then. The PO replaced the motor with a VW factory rebuilt long block so, the motor is essentially new. Also, there is zero rust do to the "Rusty Jones" treatment.

Hauls 7 people in total comfort with room to spare and does not affect the performance (it couldn't get much slower).
27 cranks to open the dining table size sunroof.
I didn't buy it to go fast - obviously.
Click to view attachment

If I was going to do a conversion, I would go with the Suby boxer Diesel. Here is a YouTube vid. of one in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so6raO3UTWA

Dave