VW diesel swaps into chrysler minivans

[libbydiesel]

As I stated, two cars colliding head-on, each going 45MPH is the same impact as one of them going 90MPH and hitting the other one parked which is confirmed in that second link...  I said nothing about smashing into "immovable" objects and the 'immovable object' discussion has nothing at all to do with the accident I referenced.

[745 turbogreasel]

My response was more directed at the recently linked mythbusters test.

[JBG3]

so lets say we skip over the same year vanagon and same year voyager/caravan crash statistics and what if you convert a much later 96 and up chrysler van with far superior crash statistics with a TDI plant? 

a couple of those conversions are showing late 90s vans with a diesel swap instead.  I am assuming you would keep both the ECU for the chrysler, and the VW source engine computer.  I don't see how you would be able to remove the chrysler ECU and have all the gadgets in the van still function properly, but how would you defeat the constant engine code issue since the stock motor is missing?

this is all moot for me, as a vehicle needs to be 25 years old minimum before I can do a diesel swap, but its interesting the technical challenges to wiring it up properly with everything working.

I know in my extremely simple 89 van where I swapped in an all mechanical diesel, I removed the engine computer, and created a number of smaller issues that the ECU dealt with, like the blower motor for one.  A lot of stuff had to be direct wired again and redone that I hadn't considered. 

[RabbitJockey]

so the impact, given identical vehicles would be equivalent, one that was in neutral being hit head on at 90, or 2 colliding while each is going 45.

i got burned.  but who parks their car in neutral with no brakes.

[libbydiesel]

Who gets into high speed head-on collisions with the vehicle in neutral and the brakes not applied?

[TylerDurden]

a couple of those conversions are showing late 90s vans with a diesel swap instead.  I am assuming you would keep both the ECU for the chrysler, and the VW source engine computer.  I don't see how you would be able to remove the chrysler ECU and have all the gadgets in the van still function properly, but how would you defeat the constant engine code issue since the stock motor is missing?

this is all moot for me, as a vehicle needs to be 25 years old minimum before I can do a diesel swap, but its interesting the technical challenges to wiring it up properly with everything working.

Late model BCMs are a nightmare.

My interest is also keeping computers out of the system... mechanical stuff for me (in the car).

[RabbitJockey]

Who gets into high speed head-on collisions with the vehicle in neutral and the brakes not applied?

[JBG3]

a couple of those conversions are showing late 90s vans with a diesel swap instead.  I am assuming you would keep both the ECU for the chrysler, and the VW source engine computer.  I don't see how you would be able to remove the chrysler ECU and have all the gadgets in the van still function properly, but how would you defeat the constant engine code issue since the stock motor is missing?

this is all moot for me, as a vehicle needs to be 25 years old minimum before I can do a diesel swap, but its interesting the technical challenges to wiring it up properly with everything working.

Late model BCMs are a nightmare.

My interest is also keeping computers out of the system... mechanical stuff for me (in the car).

Definitely a motivation for me as well.  I love the all mechanical setups.  I like the 1.6 diesels with their single 12 volt wire that controls on off.  Locally the EPA prevents me from choosing anything newer than 1989 right now (or 1990 inspected) for diesel swapping, so im still in the much much older van bracket so it probably wouldn't be too bad

[homerj1]

I've been following this thread - as a 1.6td in a Caravan seems like a funky combo - diesel economy\ power with a mini van.  Although the swap seems a bit difficult.


So I was thinking...., are there any 1.6td swaps into other non VW utilitarian vehicles that are quasi easy?

[JBG3]

I've been following this thread - as a 1.6td in a Caravan seems like a funky combo - diesel economy\ power with a mini van.  Although the swap seems a bit difficult.


So I was thinking...., are there any 1.6td swaps into other non VW utilitarian vehicles that are quasi easy?

I want to do a 1.6TD swap into a GM a-platform.  Specifically a cutlass ciera wagon from the early 90s. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_A_platform_%28FWD%29

[homerj1]

I was thinking 1.6td into a Volvo 240 wagon ?  although, I suspect it would be slow.

Had 3 -Volvo 240's and they were tanks.

Hmm... if it's not a TDI, I'd be worried that they'd be too gutless. The stock engines for the diesel 240s are the D24 (2.4L inline 6 derived from the 1.6L inline 4 from the A1 and A2 Rabbit/Golf/Jetta diesels) and the D24T (the turbo version of the D24). (Well, OK, I'm sure it could beat the D24, but from what I've heard, that was a VERY gutless engine.)

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=127347

Based on the above,

How much of a install\bolt in is the 1.6td?

[745 turbogreasel]

so the impact, given identical vehicles would be equivalent, one that was in neutral being hit head on at 90, or 2 colliding while each is going 45.

i got burned.  but who parks their car in neutral with no brakes.

Case for non-identical vehicles....My buddy was stopped in his Dodge on a 1 lane mtn road when  the Nissan 2011 car rounded the bend fast enough to get airborne  of the berm at inside of corner, and hit just above the winch. 

He says he wanted to save the lady, so he clutched in as she hit, and the truck and trailer  moved back 4 feet.
Insurance estimate was 7K, but we  just threw some used parts on there. Nissan was unrecognizable wad, but  the airbags were good and she lived to drive like a nut another day.

this is all moot for me, as a vehicle needs to be 25 years old minimum before I can do a diesel swap, but its interesting the technical challenges to wiring it up properly with everything working.

Even in Cali, they let us swap  so long as the powertrain is newer than the  body...
Late model BCMs are a nightmare.

My interest is also keeping computers out of the system... mechanical stuff for me (in the car).

My Dodge brodozer is a 96, and all the ECU does in the cabin is the speedo and cruise, but you can wire the criuse to hold a constant throttle position without it.  I can't imagine the minivan uses much different stuff  till 98 or so when the central time module crap starts to proliferate.

Definitely a motivation for me as well.  I love the all mechanical setups.  I like the 1.6 diesels with their single 12 volt wire that controls on off.  Locally the EPA prevents me from choosing anything newer than 1989 right now (or 1990 inspected) for diesel swapping, so im still in the much much older van bracket so it probably wouldn't be too bad

I was thinking 1.6td into a Volvo 240 wagon ?  although, I suspect it would be slow.

Had 3 -Volvo 240's and they were tanks.

Hmm... if it's not a TDI, I'd be worried that they'd be too gutless. The stock engines for the diesel 240s are the D24 (2.4L inline 6 derived from the 1.6L inline 4 from the A1 and A2 Rabbit/Golf/Jetta diesels) and the D24T (the turbo version of the D24). (Well, OK, I'm sure it could beat the D24, but from what I've heard, that was a VERY gutless engine.)

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=127347

Based on the above,

How much of a install\bolt in is the 1.6td?

The alternator is very similar
the NA 2.5 barely moves a 240 with 85 HP.  My 740TD is about as fast as an NA gas Volvo, faster than a TD W123, and cruises effortlessly at 75-80.
Bolt on parts exist to use 2.0 or 2.5D  5 and  6 cyls in the Volvo body.  the 2.5 TDI found in a transporter or 850 TDI seems like the choice answer unless you already have  a nice  condition D24.
http://youtu.be/vpRTjBAbu9s

[JBG3]

Even in Cali, they let us swap  so long as the powertrain is newer than the  body...

 Not sure I like the CA rules on swapping.  In RI, there are no specific swap provisions, so you end up waiting out the epa 25 year rule.  RI does emissions inspections forever, but after 25, you no longer need to pass them, so that's the local loophole.  If it doesn't need to pass, it doesn't matter what engine is actually in there.  In my 89 van I have an 83 benz engine.

Id be really annoyed at the same year or newer engine to body rules

[745 turbogreasel]

We have a year exemption and no inspection of  pre 98 diesels too.

While I don't approve  100% of their implementation, I also don't see a lot of point in retrograding your equipment on a street driven vehicle98% of the time.
in your case, you'd have to use an AAZ which might work better anyway.

[bbob203]

Why haven't eurovans been discussed??? Easily can swap diesels into them and you get a much better van than a caravan..