Club 80-90 Forums

Time for a bit of an update. Now the DG has started to shed exhaust studs I need to pull my finger out and get cracking with this project!
I have just had to spend a few bob on the Shazzer for daft things like a dipstick "funnel" (the plastic goes brittle after 10 years in service, get a couple on the shelf) and the servo pipe has a delicate vacuum pipe manifold on it (which I snapped one branch off, then split the main pipe trying to glue it back on as a bodge )

I have also found out something useful at Samba!!! The later VW inline 4 engines use longer con-rods for better torque and smoothness, so the block is about 17mm taller. Is this the EA113 engine architecture or whatever they call the later ones? This might well mean that the 20 degree "SA" installation angle is a bit too tight for a syncro with a low hatch and I'll have to go for a custom 25-30-ish degree adaptor. If the engine/sump/oil pickup/baffles are ok like that. We shall see.

But first some exhaust stud repairs to keep the syncro on the road as it is

Hello

How would the AGG compare to a 2.1 DJ in terms of acceleration and top end?

It's a long time since I drove a 2.1 but my feeling is that the AGG engine accelerates at least as well and will continue to higher revs. I have no technical info to support that impressions though.

In another post somewhere (here or Brickyard) Elvis reported achieving speeds up around the ton and I don't think a DJ will do that.

Garyd

A DG in it's prime will do the ton, an indicated 105 and is where the rev limiter kicks in (2wd S.A DG, and down hill) 25 years later people are less likely to drive these old engines flat out. A DJ will definitely do the ton. On the autobahn last year I had an indicated 150kmh (93mph) which I think was sat nav 88mph, and that was not difficult in a heavy hightop syncro. It's all about bravery and confidence that she will not blow up.

Any newer engine conversion makes driving harder less likely to end in tears, and is not a reason in it's own right to slate an old engine.

Personally i dont think it is right to compare old n new as you wont get a true comparison, obviously. And as stated its not a cause to slate the design.

However, any used DJs as SS has said, people are probably less willing to thrash the teets of em due to potential 'terminal' results. If you then look at 'proper' rebuild costs of a DJ (not some of these shonky companies who do a spit,polish,new big ends and a dollop of hope) it starts to mount up and a 'good' rebuild is going to cost big bucks.

For the cost of a GOOD DJ rebuild i can buy about 10 2E/AGG bottom ends.

As for performance , showed a true 101 on shatnav and was SLOWLY gaining a bit of speed but not sure how much was left- that was a 4 sp box (the dead common one on a petrol , ABD ?!?!?) and 215/65 16s on an unlowered van. Cant remember RPM but think it wasnt far off 5k. (now ive fitted a 'hotter' road cam, so that might change )

whoops To answer the original Q , top end is probably about the same but as previous you can be alot more confident in getting to, and achieveing, higher/better/faster cruising speeds.
As for getting there ? Have not driven a DJ for a while but i would say the 2litre I4 engines get there ALOT quicker.

BUT........

The biggest/most important Q that you have not asked, MPG!!!

I think Garyd is getting late 20s in a syncro. MrHutch gets "mid 30s if i drive it like miss daisy, or late 20s if i drive it like a c*ck" i think on LPG he is still getting late 20s. Mine is same as Hutch's , mid 30s if sensible, late20s or 30 if driven in a spirited manner.

Now go compare 2.1 DJ to 2l 2E/AGG mpg figures and forget performance........................

I really should be doing the ADY swap instead of d!cking about with the DG for the syncro, but domestic events are overtaking me anyway so there's no time for anything involving spanners right now
The Sharan is soooo reliable and torquey, does nigh-on 40 mpg on a gentle 65mph cruise.
But I can't chop it just yet...

DO IT!

Believe me I want to! However, the Mrs Shazzer is super-reliable (unlike the buses) and there's now a "For Sale" board in the front garden, so I have to concentrate on the "wrong sort" of filler and paint before reaching for the proper toolkit