[Vwdiesel] Vanagon Transaxel

[Libbybapa at wmconnect.com]

In a message dated 5/6/06 5:52:52 PM US Mountain Standard Time, 
petersenrudy at hotmail.com writes:


> I've only worked on Rabbits and Jettas but I'm thinking of doing a Vanagon
> Turbo Diesel conversion.  Just trying to learn what is the hot setup for
> this conversion.  I've been looking at some parts for sale and trying to
> figure out what people are doing and why.  Thanks for the info, everyone.
> 
> 

Which TD engine?  What powerplant you decide to use will greatly affect what 
transmission is suitable.  If you are thinking 1.6TD or 1.9TD then the easiest 
conversion is from an '83 5-speed diesel vanagon.  Larger rear tires make the 
gearing very acceptable, all hoses and wiring are present.  It's basically a 
drop in.  Unfortunately they are kinda like hen's teeth.  A  4-speed diesel 
vanagon is easy to swap the engine on, but the tranny needs to be upgraded for 
taller gearing or you still max out at 60 mph before you overrev the engine.  A 
DK air-cooled tranny is a direct swap for the DZ DM (those are also Blonde 
codes :-))  diesel vanagon 4-speed and is much taller gearing allowing decent 
cruising speeds.  A waterboxer (83.5+) vanagon has all of the cooling system and 
again an adequate 4-speed tranny (different mounting and linkage than diesel 
or air-cooled trannys) once taller rears are added, but requires more engine 
bay modifications.  The air-cooled vanagons (pre 83.5) have a decent 
transmission, but require all of the engine bay modifications along with the addition of 
engine cooling system and passenger heat.

A TDI engine develops its torque so low in a gear and does not rev as high, 
so a custom geared transmission is very desirable.

Clear as mud?

Andrew