Mark
IMHO & for my money, a GoWesty rebuilt waterboxer is the best bet for me, & probably for the client there.
Not because they do a better job rebuilding than many other shops - nor even than a Subie conversion - but because they offer a 48 month/48,000 mile warranty on their rebuilt engines - 2x what VW gave new & 4x the average rebuilders' 12/12 warranty.
They're more or less plug-n-play - other than wanting to fully update everything needed in the coolant system, & can be had in a variety of bored & stroked flavors from 2.2 - 2.7 L with increased HP & TQ - & they end up pretty close to Subie 4 power anyway.
I don't know what customs duties nor cross-border issues will do to the warranty, cost & shipping, etc. - but definitely worth your buddy checking out & advising his client on. It's also worthwhile to read the associated articles, & maybe even to call owner Lucas Valdez on the unique USA-CAN issues.
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_category.php?id=82 + $500 to engine cost for 48/48 -
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php...gory_parent_id=Engine & crate core charges are refunded upon return, so even their current top dog 2.45L 110 HP 150 lb/ft TQ is about $6500 with the 48/48 warr. + taxes & other charges.... plus any other cooling & other issues beyond just the motor, which I don't consider part of the motor cost, but rather other needed maintenance items afterr 23-30+/- years!
PS - if their Auto Trans is slipping (or manual problems/wear), now is the time to rebuild it, or get a rebuilt one from Gowesty etc. too.
Whenever ours in next next in need of replacement or major work, that's what I'll do - or more correctly, have my long time 40 year mechanic Hans do - just to have the warranty protection, if for nothing else. .... on a 2.4 or 2.5L!
Cheers!
Tom
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