Best Diesel Conversion Kit for Vanagon???

[Northboundtrain]

I've been asked to possibly help someone with a Vanagon engine swap.  We are thinking of putting in a 1.6 TD.  I know there are kits out there to adapt these engines into the vanagons.  Is there one in particular we should get?

Thanks

[Northboundtrain]

Thanks.

I need to find a kit that requires little or no custom fab work, because I'm getting paid for this work, and I know the labor cost would skyrocket if I have to start welding up engine mounts, etc.  

Since I'm just looking into this for the first time, the number of choices/options is a little overwhelming.  Given my desire to find a bolt-in solution, are their any kit-engine combinations that would work?  We aren't stuck on a 1.6 TD either.  If there is a kit for a TDI that would be easier to install, then that would be great too.

Has anyone worked with these guys?

http://www.fastforward.ca/vanagon/

[LeeG]

Has anyone worked with these guys?
http://www.fastforward.ca/vanagon/

Dave at Fastforward is a certified VW nut.  He's been doing Vanagon & Transporter engine swaps for years, as well as importing and exporting vehicles and parts.  He drives the same stuff he sells.  He has an extensive network of contacts in Europe that help him find stuff.  He flys over there often as well.  He can probably get you the parts needed off a German TD vanagon so you can do a factory style bolt in job.  Or set you up with a kit to do a TDI.  I would trust him.

disclaimer:  I may be biased, we used to be co-workers and have been friends for a long time.  I have done business with him, but as between friends.

[myke_w]

I need to find a kit that requires little or no custom fab work, because I'm getting paid for this work, and I know the labor cost would skyrocket if I have to start welding up engine mounts, etc.

Your customer is either going to fork out money in parts or labor.
There is no drop in solution that is cheap. Used vanagon diesel parts are alot because people know the demand, aftermarket conversion parts are alot for obvious reasons, labor is the same. If you told them that it would be cheap, you should try to void your quote.

[Northboundtrain]

No, I haven't told him it would be cheap.  I haven't yet given him an estimate.  I'm trying to figure out what it will cost.  I just know that doing the custom fab work for the first time takes an enormous amount of time.  Once you've done it once, particularly if you've made some jigs or patterns, then the next time, it will go much faster.  I wouldn't mind doing the work if it were for myself, but in this instance, I'm looking for a relatively straight forward installation, because I know that spending a bit more for a bolt-in kit will still be a lot cheaper than paying me to figure out how to modify engine mounts, manifolds, etc.

Anyway, thanks for the info.  I'll give the guys at fast forward a call.

[myke_w]

Best luck, BTW if you were able to build and duplicate the custom mounts you could really make a mint. Even if you lost money on the labor the first time, if you came out of it with a jig you'd be able to pay yourself back in a few sales..
  :wink:

[Baxter]

Not wanting to sound like im teaching your granny to suck eggs but were you aware that in europe we got the T3 (Vanagon) with a 1.6TD installed.
I run a small garage in the UK specialising in the T3 and I would say 30% of my customers drive 1.6TD T3's.
You can make this conversion totally bolt together, infact today we have just returned from a VW show where the guy I shared the stall with (www.syncrospares.co.uk) sold a complete T3 TD conversion kit.
The engine code you are interested in is th JX

Things that differ from the 1.6D or 1.7D

You will need a spigot shaft bearing in the end of the crank if using a Golf etc motor.
JX exhaust manifold, same as Audi 80 having it's exit by number 4 exhaust port.
JX sump has drilling for oil return line from turbo.
JX has an electrical auxilliary water pump
JX downpipe and back box are bigger dia and different design to other Diesel engines.
T3 215mm flywheel.
The Diesel bellhousing is different to the petrol one, starter also.
Injection pump top is different, it has the LDA laid on it's side as not to protrude through the engine lid.

Well, I've had a few beers and thats what I can think of!
If you need any help then give us a nod.

Check this brochure, you can see a picture of the JX and the exhaust

http://vwpix.terlinden.com/prospekte/deutschland/grossraumlimousinen/Caravelle/1990_01_Der_Volkswagen_Caravelle/index.html

[speedy]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=209462
Here's an uncomplete diesel vanagon kit.

Andrew

D'ohh.  I just bought this kit.  I was a bit disappointed to find that the parts were all caked with grease and dirt, and the flywheel was not a new one as in the picture but a used one.  I probably should have pieced the kit together myself - I've seen all of the parts on E-Bay/Thesamba.  Still, the price was not bad and the guy working there has been helpful.

-David

[Baxter]

www.syncrospares.co.uk
www.andy-van.co.uk
These guys break vans in the UK and Im sure they would be willing to post the missing parts to the US.

www.brick-yard.co.uk - UK T3 forum.

[speedy]

You got a fine deal with that kit.  You still need to get the starter and hoses will be a pain as they are NLA.  I've seen easy sweat fittings at Home Depot with the solder already in them.  The solder area is a very nice bead to hold a hose on. :wink: I didn't see an oil pump pickup tube in the pics.  Is that included?

Andrew

Yes, the pickup is included although it too is filthy.  I suppose I can immerse it in some kind of solvent and blow it out with compressed air to get it clean.

Mine will be a custom installation so I wasn't planning on using the stock $300 hose.  I was thinking of welding up a tee and using standard radiator hose.  I will look for those fittings you mention at HD - thanks!

-David