Club 80-90 Forums

I own a 1988 T25 left hand drive with a 1.6TDi engine in it.

Finally had enough of the poor power and looking to replace the engine, and speaking to two companies that specialise in engine replacements the choice is either a VW 1.9TDi or a Subaru 2.2 16valve.

I've been given lots of reasons to choose either engine

The VW engine guys advise me to stick with diesel as they reckon the feel the 1.9TDi will be a lovely experience. And it would fit into the engine bay easily. Giving me about 150bhp

The Subaru guys tell me that those engines are far better and swapping to a petrol engine would be no problem and the van would sound loads better than a diesel. The 2.2 16valve returning about 145bhp

Does anyone have any experience it advice to offer a first timer like me?

No easy to fit 1.9TDI will give 150hp as standard. The 1Z, AHU and AFN engines fit using all the jx mounts (they are 90-110hp with plenty of torque), you then need to sort a wiring loom and re gear your gearbox as the tdi's rev much lower. If you don't want to get involved in wiring looms and gearboxes, either get a rebuilt JX engine or upgrade slightly to the 1.9TD AAZ engine code.
The other option is the 2.0 gti engine from golfs, and some passats. These fit using the jx mounts too.

Thanks!

I'll be taking it to someone to have the work done, and they'll sort the wiring and gearing out as well. Sounds like you're a fan of the VW1.9TDi which also fits with some advice I've had to stick to diesel.

Cheers

Hi
I have the exact same problem - '89 LHD westfalia conversion with 1.6 TDi and omg does it struggle up hills!! I often have a clear road in front of me but one hell of a tail back behind

I will be curious with what conclusions you reached, I did look at a Subaru conversion a few years back but the cost made it out of the question. But now I've got the dilemma "should I sell the van and try to get t4/t5 or spend money putting in new engine, paint job, interior etc"

cheers

I had same engine and replaced with subaru 2.2 and replaced 5 speed box with 4 speed petrol gearbox, complete transformation, power and easier gears. If you are not commited to keeping a T3 and are thinking about modern vans then its best to move on. For the cost of the engine swap , bodywork etc you could buy a decent T4.

Have you not concidered the VW 1.8t. Lowest output as standard is 150bhp and produces 210nm from 1800rpm. Is more modern than the above choises, more readily available, very quite and a smooth power delivery.

Sorry to be OCD, but I can't see it written without commenting on it:-

TDI = Turbo Direct Injection - a technology used in later VW/AUDI engines from the early/mid 90's onwards

TD = Turbo Diesel - an older indirect injection diesel engine with a turbo on it

The JX and AAZ are TD not TDI, I doubt anyone has a 1.6 TDI in their T25

Ok, as you were...

I wince when I see this also.

if your 1.6td engine is really slow and struggling massively with moving your van then there are pretty much 3 reasons

1. your engine is dying
2. your engine is way out of tune and needs valves and timing checking properly
3. you are comparing it to your diesel car

as long as your engine is not dead it is very worthwhile spending a couple of hundred having it looked at by someone who knows what they are doing, my 1.6td was fine pushing my bungalow along which is 2.6t so if its not coping with a pop top there is something wrong

it will never feel like your daily golf/focus etc and it never will unless you throw huge amounts of cash at it

both conversions will leave a big hole in your wallet which is why the gti engine has become really popular

i have driven a subaru powered van and i personally didnt like it but thats just me
i converted mine to 1.9tdi with a modified gearbox because the 1.6td died and it makes the van much more relaxing to drive, fewer gear changes in daily driving and generally a better driving experience but its still an old van with a better engine in it, it dont suddenly become a T5 because you fit a tdi

your biggest question is a very personal one, are you swapping the engine because its too slow for the van or too slow for you? if its the engine and you love the van then by all means spend the cash but if its you then move on to something newer

I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet but how many miles do you do a year? the diesel would be my option from an "MPG" point of view as a petrol will be a bit thirstier, probably be lucky to manage 30mpg from the scooby if you baby it along and probably nearer the 40 out of the diesel.

if you want something fast then buy a fast car instead of trying to make a brick shaped van go fast

weegaz22 wrote:I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet but how many miles do you do a year? the diesel would be my option from an "MPG" point of view as a petrol will be a bit thirstier, probably be lucky to manage 30mpg from the scooby if you baby it along and probably nearer the 40 out of the diesel.

if you want something fast then buy a fast car instead of trying to make a brick shaped van go fast

My 2p on this - in the four years i've had my van i've spent over £2k replacing engines, so MPG doesn't really come in to it!

The current 1.9 1Z tdi does about 35mpg driven conservatively. I may improve this a small amount by spending another £2k+ on a modified or flipped gearbox conversion, but maybe not - a heavy, brick-shaped camper is a heavy brick-shaped camper

In retrospect I would maybe have gone for the petrol GTI conversion, as they work well with unmodified gearboxes, suiting higher revs.