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Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:46 am

My mechanic suggested that I have a 2.5L 5 cylinders Eurovan engine install in my 1985 Vanagon camper.He said that this will increase the horsepower but also increase the torque which is more important. Any comments?

Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:34 am

You can fit one in there? I don't think I ever heard of any conversion kit for that setup before. You can convert to a Golf/Jetta inline 4 cylinder, of course, but I'm not sure if that longer inline 5 would fit - and the pieces to adapt the 4cyl won't work on the longer 5 cyl block.

The 4 cylinder conversion is expensive but can be worth it - VW of S. Africa never stopped making the Vanagon style and puts this motor in stock, and a company called TIICO sells kits based on those motors. You can convert one yourself using parts from a mid 80's Vanagon Diesel, and a lot of creativity in mounting the fuel injection. Some people ditch VW entirely and buy an adapter kit and put a Subaru flat four in there. But a 5 cylinder? can't say I've heard of that one before.

andy

Wed Aug 17, 2005 4:29 am

Audi 5 fits_________very tight

Wed Aug 17, 2005 5:14 am

http://www.overlandparts.com/5%20cylinder%20kit.htm

Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:42 am

:D It will fit front to back, but the motor is much taller than will fit under the lid.... You would have to make a 5 or 6 inch extension. This would make the Z-bed(if you have one) useless.... :twisted: :twisted:

Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:51 am

Ericthenorse wrote: :D It will fit front to back, but the motor is much taller than will fit under the lid.... You would have to make a 5 or 6 inch extension. This would make the Z-bed(if you have one) useless.... :twisted: :twisted:

nope it won't make it useless but you will have to addres sit.

some people with raised decklids just go with a thinner pad there..

I've done some research and the BAY window bus had a higher rear deck with a Zbed (the ASI conversions were the Z-frames) so you'll have to do a swap and mod for one of those to fit in.
Bay has higher bed design, but same sitting height (butt to feet)

Good luck, there is ALOT of info out there, asking is just the beginning.

Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:05 pm

He had a VW 2.5L 5 cylinders in a vanagon when I was in his shop. He said he did not have to modify the engine compartment to fit the 2.5L. I will get some more info from him.

Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:13 pm

VW SA used the VW/ Audi 5 Cyll stock in the Vanagon body in SA. Tons of conversions fit under stock engine cover, just need SA bellhousing which tilts the engine.
Check out the engine forums at the Club 80 90 UK site.

Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:24 pm

I wasn't aware that VW did a factory 5cyl on the Vanagon - cool, good to know. So then, who imports kits for 5 cyl conversions then? I'd think there would be some demand for this, there's a lot of audis and quantums in junkyards with usuable 5cyl motors in them.

andy

Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:27 pm

Andy,
Several companies import parts but get on the Buskatier list and ask Bryant B. for the name of the guy in Colorado who did his own. I see that you are in Colo. so maybe this guy would help. Guy has a German name I can't remember though.

Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:12 am

glutamodo wrote: I wasn't aware that VW did a factory 5cyl on the Vanagon - cool, good to know. So then, who imports kits for 5 cyl conversions then? I'd think there would be some demand for this, there's a lot of audis and quantums in junkyards with usuable 5cyl motors in them.

andy
Roadcow,

Would you recommend 2.5L 5 cylinders or the GoWesty 2.2L engine for a 85 camper?

Dennis

Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:18 am

I really have no experience with anything other than the 2.2 Audi engine and I have 3 of them in 86 Audi 4K Quattros. They are bullit proof engines and almost tractor like. Not overly powerful but get me 26 mpg with full time 4wd and I thrash the heck out of them. I think about 115 hp ( been a long time since I looked as specs but 130 is not uncommon with timing tweaks). Now the 2.3 engine in my Audi 80 Quattro is very nice!
I have an 84 Vanagon Wolfi and a 86 Audi 4K engine which I plan on swapping in.

Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:48 am

Any of the inline VW 4 or 5 will give more power, torque, higher red line (6.7)and less trouble than a wasser. CIS Injection is the way to go. Find a diesel doner and get chopping. The bell housing is a must have as is the pan and pump, the rest can be made by a good welder/fabracator. The 5 needs a carrier bar, on ebay all the time. Pull the stock motor and sell it to someone who needs it_______you will NEVER look back.

Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:43 am

just to follow that last post by saying the I4 and I5 do NOT share the same Bellhousing or engine bolt pattern..

for an I 5 conversion you need an I 5 bellhousing (no one makes an adapterplate)
for an I4 conversion you need a vanagon Diesel 82-83 bellhousing, oil pan, oil pick up tube, motor mounts, carrier bars, exhaust, and possibly some other parts.. Ohh tranny input shaft
there are a few companies that make an adapter for I4vws into vanagons.. but just the adapterplate..

dan.

Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:18 am

Sometimes we think of ourselves as an island here in the US and forget that there are other parties outside the US working on these VW's. In the UK there are several adaptor plates made for the I5 VW/Audi engines. Your information was good to differentiate between the I4 and I5 which I'd forgotten about.

Fri Aug 19, 2005 11:17 am

Ohh.... Oh... Ohhhh..

now how do I get my grubby lil VW hands on one of those?.

dan who wants to put his quantum 2.2L 83K miles (just a baby)

Fri Aug 19, 2005 11:21 am

Check out Club 80 90 and they have alternate engine forums.

Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:45 pm

I don't have a Vanagon, but if I did I might be interested the L5 converstion. I was asking about where to get kits just so I'd know in case anyone ever asked me.

andy

Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:30 pm

85jacamper wrote: glutamodo wrote: I wasn't aware that VW did a factory 5cyl on the Vanagon - cool, good to know. So then, who imports kits for 5 cyl conversions then? I'd think there would be some demand for this, there's a lot of audis and quantums in junkyards with usuable 5cyl motors in them.

andy
Roadcow,

Would you recommend 2.5L 5 cylinders or the GoWesty 2.2L engine for a 85 camper?

Dennis

I have the GoWesty 2.2 engine in my old (1.9) '84 standard Transporter(Vanagon) and I think it's great. For a heavier camper I'd recommend the GoWesty 2.3 or even the 2.4 but the 105 horsepower in the 2.2 is definately an improvement over the old 1.9 and 2.1 engines. These engines have the advantage of being bolt-on (they are not conversions) which can reduce headaches for the average person.

Good luck

Good luck

Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:17 pm

diesel turbo 5, burn fry oil. I have installed 5s and 4s with no deck change OR BELL H. I also converted a air box to a inline 4 w/power steering_____and no one believes me. F them :D