tuning AAZ for a vanagon?

[ELVIS]

have read/re-read and read again all the how to's/postings etc etc . got a good idea on all the various different tuning options available to me.
   what i want to know is what would be a 'mild' recommended tune/mod for my bus ? the AAZ has 100k on it and FSH . any extra drivability/performance/mpg would be gratefully received but not at expence of life of engine !!!
   am going to replace cam belt and get cam timing 100% spot on (last 2 engines- an SB and a CY have both been out by nearly 10'!) and also get pump timing to 1.00mm.
   at my disposal i have a set of good(tested) GTD injectors and hard lines and also a GTD pump (for boost pin) .what would you experienced guys recommend i do ? leave as standard ? modest increase in boost and fuelling ? etc etc  
 oh , and dump the EGR and blank off ?
   cheers   Elvis

[houseofdiesel]

What transmission are you runnnig? RPM's are more important then anything else in the Vanagon...
If your serious about reliable power get Giles (see vendors section) to do the injection pump mods, $1000 range and your done.  I would not get to wild with DIY stuff unless your willing to invest a few hundred in temp guages like EGT, oil temp etc. You can fry an engine in a Vanagon much faster then a car due to the weight/resistance. Intercooling is important in those beasts also and consider an external oil to air cooler (not just the oil to water cooler). You could raise boost levels, intercool it, add fueling and swap boost pin, get rid of EGR system, you will see decent power.
I have an 82 Vanagon diesel still 1.6 non turbo sitting inside now for 6 years waiting to find time...
Greg

[ELVIS]

running a 3H , also have 195/80 15s which help the gearing abit aswell. what do you think then ? go for what i said , dump the EGR and set boost to factory max(12lb ?) to keep the engine reliable ? cheers  elvis