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I got a 86 Vanagon, 2.1 liter, California specification, with 172K miles on the original engine. It is getting low compression on one cylinder, and oil pressure is not that good anymore. I also think power might be down (hard to tell exactly, as it has been a slow decline in power I think)

At any rate, I will be needing a rebuild this summer, and would like to know what is the best bet for a long lasting engine.

What options are available for a little more power? I am not looking right now for a hot rod (price sensitive) and I must still be able to pass California dyno smog tests (yuck!)

any recommendations on what works, and is reliable?

I'd like to get get similar life out of the next engine.

Main uses will be camping in the the mountains, so a little more power would really be nice, I'd like to be able to cruise at least at 75 -80 mph without harm to the new motor (The old one can't do that any more, if ever)

I plan on keeping this vanagon, so reliability is important for years down the road.

Also if there is anything to imporve the poor gas milage, that would be nice, as I am barely getting 16 mpg now, and that is mainly around town and on level freeways (never exceeding 70 mph). I do not drive to the mountains in the vanagon anymore, for fear of a sudden breakdown.

Any suggestions, experiences will be appricated. Any reccomeded builders also.

thanks dave

Have you thought about an engine swap? This is sort of off forum topic, but there is a reason that plenty of people are cutting the water jackets off of wasser cases for their type 1s. It will start leaking again. Yes, the proper maintainence helps a lot, but there are some design issues with the heads that cause problems. Plus the older vanagon injection and mass flow sensors get problems. My dad just did a 2.0 golf conversion in his van from Tiico. I think they are outside Sacramento. He loves it. Its not the simplest conversion to perform, so you need a shop to help you if you aren't skilled. They are a several thousand dollars when you are done, but if you want to keep the van...

Also you might check into a 094 5-speed conversion. It makes the Vanagons way better to drive up hills. No more 4500 rpm going 50 mph. Weddle in Goleta sells them for about $2400.

I hope this helps. Good luck.