multivan 2.1 engines

[syncrosimon]

To reply to AndySimpson....I wouldnt really want to go very deep in water as she is a camper, as deep as the floor when stationary is fine for me. Honestly, I think I may have been 60cm deep for about 4m, got very wet inside anyway with water spurting up through holes. The engine was wet all over, but no miss fire or problems.
But I think Andy that we are using our vehicles for different purposes, I am not pushing mine to the extreme like you clearly do. My engine has plenty of torque for what I use her for. Again, if I were extreme off roading then a more torquey engine would be of benefit. You might have to slip the clutch a bit more on mine on rocky slow technical tracks, but a new clutch is a darn site cheaper than a decent tdi conversion.
Someone clearly loved the flat four at VW, for them to upgrade the Aircooled boxer to watercooled, and not put a new engine in. Had VW germany gone down the same route as the south africans with a 5 cylinder audi then the T3 would have been much better. But all the same, I cant think of a single negative for my 2.1, and would not consider changing it, but that is because I accept it for what it is.
The T3 was never intended as an out and out off roader, but was intended to cope better with rough terrain, for people that use the syncro beyond it's design intentions a different engine could make sense. I dont do anything extreme with mine, and consequently never wanted a different engine. (if you see what I mean) I could say to you andy, with all your off roading that you seem to do, that you would be better off with a landy with some lockers fitted, but that would be up to you, i like my 2.1, and that is up to me.
whenever I fire up my DJ, it puts a smile on my face, I love it, and that is enough for me. I am very pleased also that you have such an excellent engine in your syncro, and hope one day to see it in action.
simon

[Ian Hulley]

Horses for courses .... for a family camper/daily driver (which is what I believe a multi-van is supposed to be) the 2.1 is perfectly adequate. For the off-road weekend warriors then clearly the TD is required/desired.

Enjoy your's whatever you choose to use them for.

Ian.