Club 80-90 Forums

What do we think of the 2.1 petrol engined Syncros?

I have been told that the 1.9. diesels are the way to go, but I've got my eye on two which are petrol powered.

Your thoughts please?

Also, if I bought the van, what sort of budget would be need to reengineer it with a more economical version, perhaps a TDi?

Chalk and cheese. If you're hauling a lot of weight (i.e. Westy) then consider a diesel that gives you the inline-4 architecture to build on, should you want to upgrade to a TDi or - shock horror - go to petrol with an AAG/2E/ADY (best)
If it's for playtime and you're not carrying much in the way of plywood and appliances then go for a wbx petrol/lpg.
Ok so it's not a torque monster but it's not going to destroy the transmission and is happy getting by with just 4 forward gears (+G of course) unlike the Tdi's that really need 5 or 6
Our caravelle does everything that we ask of it: troop carrier, engine mover, builder's van, weekend offroad plaything. It's the thinking man's "field car" as the BBC used to say... and still keeps up with motorway traffic despite only having circa.90 ponies at best.

Let the argumentalism begin!

It's a 16" with a Westfalia interior but its not a a high top (yet).

I hadn't thought about LPG.

Are all stock VW petrols air cooled and 4 speed?

All syncros are watercooled and 4 gears + g

I run a 2.1 mv and it's more than capable for my needs

Whatever engine is in the one you get, if it works keep it. Worry about replacing when it breaks (if it does) there is a lot to be said for staying standard. A tdi does make it much nicer to drive, much more refined than the standard diesel, just get someone trustworthy to fit it.

Fabzzz has got a petrol 16" syncro hitop with a Westy interior. Maybe ask him what he thinks of it?

PS Aircooled was gone by '81, thankfully.

Great stuff, thanks.

Next question: is "G" and over drive or a low ratio gear?

its the low range /crawler gear

My Syncro 16" with westy poptop and homebrew camper interior has a petrol 2.1 litre DJ engine. Heavy van. Fuel consumption over the last mixed road 2600kms is 21-24 MPG, when not offroading.
I'm in Bristol. Where are you?

Currently Shrewsbury but expecting to start working in Bristol in mid sept.

I notice no one has mentioned money!

The 2.1 petrols are a great engine when running well and will last well if looked after. There is always a rush to swap out the engine for what ever reason but it really costs a lot. With the flat four petrols engines you have to change everything and it can cost a lot of money. A good TDi conversion from a petrol base might cost at least £5k all in.

I take it you wont be doing this yourself?

damn..... Err... No.

I am not planning a change, I don't even own a T25 yet. It's just I'm looking into some nice vans, but they're petrol, so I was was wondering about the options.

The way that diesel conversion parts prices are going, if you buy a petrol then stick with it. There's always the option of going Subaru later on. More torque and power for the same sort of mpg or, once the novelty has worn off, better mileage. Anything that get's into the mid 20's is about right, high 20's is good. Moe than that is in the realm of fantasy for everyday driving, only a Tdi on a long run will get into the mid-30's. Allegedy.

Fuel IS the cost of ownership, make your choice once you've driven a few and slept on it. Try and get to a syncronauts event where you can meet some of the gang and go for a "real world" test drive. It's the only way as they are all so different. You'll struggle to find two the same, especially TDi conversions

Thanks Silver and Paddy.

Good advice I think. I'm planning on going to Busfest for the day and will try to chat to the Syncro guys on the Syncro trail. I have a couple of vans in mind from the forum, so I'll see how things map out.

Cheers guys.

WW

Once you've driven a properly converted eTdi you will be very disappointed by a standard 1.9 or 2.1.

I say this from first hand knowledge, power, torque 32/33 mpg, not that I'm biased with 2 eTdi's for sale right now

Ask Lee, Tom, Jed and a few others on here

Cheers Rich