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I just recently acquired a '89 vanagon with a blown 2.1 liter motor. I'm converting to an inline 4 cylinder motor from Tiico(www.tiico.com). Does anyone have any kind of experience with this kit? Their advertising really sings the praises of the inline 4 cylinder in a vanagon, but I was wanting some other opinions. Thanks....

chris s.
montgomery, al

If you are going to go through all the trouble why don't you add some HP to the Vanagon. a Nissan Maxima engine at 190 HP will fit nicely and the torque specs match up. It will actually weigh less than the original (at least less than the air cooled). The only tricky part is fabricating a bell housing. JT

JT,
Thanks for the suggestion. I chose to go with this type of kit because it is as close to a truely complete bolt in kit. With a new baby on the scene, I don't need a road burner, just reliable transportation. If this kit goes "tits up", I'll look into your suggestion. More horsepower is a good thing!

Chris Stanford
Montgomery, AL

For the Money the Tico kit cost you could rebuild your motor and go on vacation.The 2.1 is a Good motor just remember that you MUST USE the FACTORY ANTI FREEZE. It is formulated for the dissimilar metals in the engine Also jack the front up off the ground and bleed out the air from the front of the cooling system, this will get all the air uut of the line running under the van. Steve

It lives!!! I got my vanagon with the 2.0 inline 4 running last night and drove it up the road. One word -WOW!!! Much more responsive than the waterboxer was and more torque to get the breadbox rolling. Still a few things left to do, but at least I'm running!!

Chris Stanford
Montgomery, AL

Hey Chris, what was the bottom line cost on the swap? Noone ever tells me this when I ask. I've got a line on an 89 without an engine in it and am very interested in the swap. Also, for anyone interested, I'm selling my 83. Nothing special, just a transporter. recently rebuilt motor and new brakes in the front. I'm in Maine and I need heat in the winter.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 83vanman:
Hey Chris, what was the bottom line cost on the swap? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Total money for the swap was just under $4000.00 counting the Ross-Tech software to setup the fuel computer(You can go to a dealer for this, but I chose not to because the software and interface cable is only around $200.00). I know this sounds expensive, but do some checking at your VW dealer on a replacement waterboxer. The dealer here quoted me $2500.00 plus a $1500.00 core because my motor had a rod sticking up through the block -ergo, no good core. You will also need parts from a 2.1L to make the conversion, including the fuel injectors and pressure regulator, alternator, p/s pump(if equipped), and a/c compressor(if equipped). Timing can be set using a timing light.
Overall, I'm very pleased. Peter at Tiico was very straight forward about the costs and I did not pay a cent over his quoted cost plus shipping. Also, he provided excellent technical tips when I needed them. Hope this helps.....



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Chris Stanford
Montgomery, AL

Chris wrote:JT,
Thanks for the suggestion. I chose to go with this type of kit because it is as close to a truely complete bolt in kit. With a new baby on the scene, I don't need a road burner, just reliable transportation. If this kit goes "tits up", I'll look into your suggestion. More horsepower is a good thing!

Chris Stanford
Montgomery, AL

Chris,
Looking any contact information you have on the Tiico conversion.
Tks

As far as i know tiico is no more i dont know who is doing the inline conversions as a turnkey kit i belive there is some one in Maine other than that kennedy engineering is still making adapters and such.

and I knew if I looked around the topic might come up elsware the company producing the inline 4 conversions now is eurospecsport http://eurospecsport.com/products/Vanag ... 0Page.html