A camping forum for VW bus and camper owners.

What to do with my stock 1.9L boxer engine

What's up fellow VW lovers!

So due to an uncontrollable castastrophe I have to rebuild my 1.9L again! Now as some of you know the 1.9L is just not strong enough to pull around the the full camper version of the Westy. I have come across a few ideas, well two really, and I would like to get your opinions.

First idea is to rebuild the engine stock but put a turbo kit on it to give it a little more power when I need it. The mechanic\shop I will take it to has trully mastered the art of putting turbo kits on engines as well as being very experienced with VW's...again the turbo would be tuned for giving that additional power when I need it and for driving at high speeds. (you just don't drive a Westy like that..lol)

Second idea, of course this is a bit more expensive, is to rebuild the engine but buy an upgrade kit (http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_category.php?id=82) from a company called GoWesty out of California which would essentialy turn the 1.9L to a 2.2L or a 2.3L.

What have other people done? I would love some input on this because within the next two months I would like to have this done. I has been 7 years since I last drove the Westy around and that is too long. I have a little boy now and one on the way and they deserve to camp in style. :)

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Permalink Reply by Bill Witz on April 16, 2011 at 10:10am

We bought our 84 westy new, Engine did not fail but at 213000 miles but was leaking coolant, and oil. I could have kept adding it and limping it along but I did not feel good about doing so. We live in Califorina, so we have to think about Carb rules. We installed a inline 4 (Tiico) , we have had good luck with it . With a rebulld or new you have to conform to your local rules.Where do you live?

Make sure that you fuel lines and coolant hoses and wireing are top shape -these are Old Iron and they need extra attention. 2.2 subie are ok In Califorina.I have heard good things about the Go Westy engine . But I would check around . Stephans Auto Haus does a lot of Vanagon work if you are in Northern Califorina its something to consider. Good Luck and let us know what your out come is.

Bill Witz

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Harris on June 4, 2011 at 1:56pm

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY!

An 84 new huh? nice! I am glad to see that a conversion went well for you. I live in Texas so no rules like yours. Yah I decided that I will not put a turbo on it because one is not specifically designed for it. I will purchase the engine upgrade kit from gowesty that will convert the 1.9L to a 2.2L. I will also replace window seals and door seals before new paint job, replace the entire exhaust system, all new cooling components(hoses and what not) and new tires...LOL I imagine quite a bit more but that should get me on the road and other stuff can be bought little at a time.