What do you think is the best?

[Iceworx]

I've had my camper 4 years now, and when I got it, it was a low powered 1.6d

In the last 12 months, I've fitted an AAZ engine, which has been a little awkward at times, and caused a few problems, several break downs, leaks and general poor running.

The last few weeks I've been looking at the best option for a replacement engine as i'm not confident in the van at the moment, and not entirely happy with the AAZ. After hearing a friends petrol based van, i'm now also open the the idea of a petrol engine again.

I've contemplated many options, and looked at countless threads on here and other forums, and the more I looked at many different build threads. I've also had a fairly recent change in my role at work, which will give me more time to use the van. With this in mind, i'd to start venturing a bit further a field, so engine and box combinations have again been the target of many hours reading.

In my mind i'd like something quieter than the AAZ, that will be able to hold 70 without issue on the motorway. MPG is not too critical, but not totally irrelevant. (bearing in mind mines a high top)


In your opinion what would you say was the ultimate setup to suit the above?

Stay diesel, and go for a newer TDI, with Flipped Audi box? Change to petrol/LPG and GTI? or is there no contender to a subaru engine? And if thats the case, is the 2.5 worth going for over the 2.2?

I'd love to hear your opinions and thoughts, or suggestions to something I may have completely overlooked.

Thanks

Chris

[keith]

is a flipped Audi box a reality....I know that a few pioneers are working on it....but with your remit of reliability for this next year ...is it likely.

I personally think that whatever engine conversion you have it comes down to a few factors

how good a donor you find / how much work is done on it.
who does the install....some success stories...some horrors.
how much cash you want to invest / spend...
what you do with the gearbox to match it to your power plant.

i love the idea of a scooby....they even look good when they are in there. ....but they have to be more expensive to run than a TDI.
you could gas it...but that adds to the expense.
not sure what gearbox combo works best with a scooby van ?

tdi...it is a more noisy option...but is that a real issue.
TDI delivers its power low down...which I think suits how you would normally drive a van....it reduces gearchanges..and pulls up big banks.
TDI is very adaptable if you want big power...ie 150bhp is very achievable.....but do you need it ? will your gearbox stand it ?

first question for me is cash.....no options done properly come cheap.

[garyd]

Two years ago I was in the same position as you. Running an AAZ with which I wasn't at all happy. In my case it wasn't just the performance and reliability of the engine but also the horrific noise levels.

After some research I decided to go for a GTi conversion using an AGG engine (2 litre) from a '97 Golf. This has proved very successful on several fronts.

First the noise levels are hugely better - we can now converse with those in the rear seats whereas the AAZ made it difficult to talk across the cab!

Secondly, the performance is greatly improved readily giving and cruising at 70mph and happily staying with the traffic under almost all conditions. It also pulled a large hire caravan earlier this year with no problems.

Thirdly, fuel consumption. My syncro is still running the original JX gearbox ratios and returns around 25-26mpg, even on long fast runs. Some people reports nearer thirty mpg in 2wd vans with slightly higher gearing.

I would certainly recommend the GTi route as it's an 'easy' conversion from the diesel. For more info have a look at the Brickyard forum under 'petrol engine upgrades'.

Garyd

[faggie]

out of the options you have listed above i would go the tdi route, as it will have reasnable performance and good fuel consumption it certainly wont be the cheapest as you will need to budget for a uprated gearbox aswell , but with the price of fuel still rising its probably the best route to take and will pay for its self in the long run
, if your going to do an engine conversion bigger is always better as you dont want to do the conversion and then re do it a few years later as you have outgrown the conversion, ie you want something better , another thing bigger engines dont always use more fuel due to not driving them as hard to achieve the same speed , i have a couple of vans with slightly tuned engines and the fuel consumption is better than my 1.9 wbx and 1.6 turbo engine vans i have had as i dont need to change gear at every incline in fact if i am carefull it will set of in 3rd and 4th gear so whilst on the move i never really dont need to change gear very often ,

[billy739]

you should not be aiming to sit at 70 , try 65 - makes all the difference

budget / personal choice / quality of work and of course what your using the van for and how regular . 3000 miles a year? i have done 1400 miles in mine in the last 3 weeks and usually push 12000 anually

you will never find the perfect set up - every combination will have its + and - points , even if some are just costs!

ideally you need to add a gearbox to the budget , £500 (2nd hand aap ) , 1500ish ( rebuilt to spec)

why dont you just get the aaz rebuilt by a reputable garage ?

what faults are you having? would you say these are all used items that have been fitted?

when i fitted my engine in my camper (45000 miles no breakdowns) i used all original dealer supplied waterpump / gaskets / cambelt / thermostat /hoses/ alternator / startermotor expensive but its paid off! even the engine was a factory recon.

with your AAZ are you running an appropriate oil cooler? poss charge cooler?


i am currently running a peugeot 1.9td .

20000 miles in 3 years without fault. engine originally had 82000 when i fitted it. returns 34 as adily runabout 37 motorway 65mpg , will do 90mph ,

you can do the conversion for what you sell your current set up for.


hopefully getting the 2.1td back in asap