Is a 1.9 a straight swap for a 2.1?

Post by **Piledriver** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 2:33 pm

83 1.9 into a 88 2.1 hole, vanagon, of course.

All EFI with the motor.

Both were automatics.

Thanks!

PapaG · Post by **PapaG** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 3:05 pm

Waterpump setup is differnt. I don't have a 1.9, to check only 2.1 sorry.

Post by **Piledriver** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 6:16 pm

Thanks PapaG.

I worder if the needed pieces would swap?

Hmmm...

51MAN · Post by **51MAN** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 1:29 am

You should be able to use your 2.1 cooling system on the 1.9 engine, or just swap the whole engine bay cooling setup...
I dont know how different the US spec ones are so difficult to comment... but I am running a 2.1 DJ late case with early 1.9 DG early cooling set up... works fine..
The 1.9 wont have the torque of the 2.1 though..
Si

Post by **Piledriver** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 6:38 am

That's OK, as long as it fits up w/o a week of running for parts.

The 2.1 still has clear, even cross hatch (no smooth spots) on the load areas of the cylinders, just has leaky heads w/cracks between the seats.

If it was just a leak, the heads would be JB Welded already and running.

I think the 2.1 has a long term future in the 914, with a Garret T3/G60 and an intercooler.

And probably CIS.

Post by **Piledriver** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 3:51 pm

Found a nice web page covering the opposite of the 83>88 swap at:
(low mile 1.9 into 88 vanagon is the goal)
http://www.oldvolkshome.com/19to21.htm

It looks like the only parts swap required to make it a true bolt in is a 2.1 water pump, to go with the plumbing setup on the 88.
(the reverse is true if putting a 2.1 in an earlier chassis, the 2.1 gets a 1.9 water pump then)

Turns out a complete gasket set is much cheaper than 2 head gasket sets,($129 vs $85X2) and the 2.1 water pump is ~40% cheaper than the 1.9, at $53 vs $86

Still hunting for opinions as to how critical the between valve seat cracks are on the water cooled heads. (Buy new or run `em)

The 2.1 will eventually find its way into the 914, and "grow" a turbo, so long term, I'll likely have the heads redone, but I'd like to run it NA first to get the kinks worked out of the cooling system.

Who does good vanagon heads? (Other than Oliver)

(No disrespect to Oliver, I'm just assuming I can't afford Olivers level of work, (or shipping costs) and I'll be keeping the boost low, stock cam, running the cast pistons, all stock save for Berg 1.4 ratio rockers and likely CIS.. Have all the CIS parts)

(cooling system currently only exists "in the amusement park of my mind", apologies to George Clinton)

[This message has been edited by Piledriver (edited 02-12-2003).]