Club 80-90 Forums

I have a prefectly fine 1.9DG in my van but it does lack a certain get up and go! A second hand 2.1DJ has appeared near me and i am very tempted. I would do a full rebuild so it would be a winter project. Question is, will it be worth it? Power and torque figures look much better but i just wondered if anyone has experience of both?

It seems to come with most parts.

IMO, its the difference is between a van that has adequate power, and a van that is a bit sluggish.
You can run the 2.1 on the DG carb and everything if you want to simplify matters - the 2.1 will run fine on the 1.9 stuff.
Depends how irritated you are by how slow the DG is, and it's in good health then maybe don't waste your money - it's not a night and day difference. Even with a DJ, you'll still wish you had another 30bhp...


It's a tricky one for you - But if your DG needed a refresh, it would be a no brainer. IMO it makes no sense to spend the money on a DG when you could spend the same money rebuilding a DJ and end up with a much more pleasant van.

cobblers wrote: ↑18 Nov 2025, 13:42 IMO, its the difference is between a van that has adequate power, and a van that is a bit sluggish.
You can run the 2.1 on the DG carb and everything if you want to simplify matters - the 2.1 will run fine on the 1.9 stuff.
Depends how irritated you are by how slow the DG is, and it's in good health then maybe don't waste your money - it's not a night and day difference. Even with a DJ, you'll still wish you had another 30bhp...


It's a tricky one for you - But if your DG needed a refresh, it would be a no brainer. IMO it makes no sense to spend the money on a DG when you could spend the same money rebuilding a DJ and end up with a much more pleasant van.

I'm running a DJ2.1 on carb and LPG. It was an expensive exercise. My camper was a DG (auto) and gutless. And as we tow a small caravan l wanted the addition power. 3K later on l had to sell the caravan to pay for the engine.

Trouble is you won't spend the same money. A DJ will cost more if you factor in addition money for upgraded cooling system. Plus it's the crankshaft and camshaft, including the high compression pistons that give it the extra umph. If the cam is knackered, then it will be a pointless exercise unless you are willing to fork out 400 quid for a new camshaft, if you can find one. Or have a custom one made, as l did.

Personally and knowing what know now, l would only buy another engine after a test drive.

Be absolutely certain it is a DJ running DJ pistons. There a lot of hybrids out there nowadays. New DJ pistons are very pricy and used good ones extremely rare.

keynsham1 wrote: ↑18 Nov 2025, 11:37 I have a prefectly fine 1.9DG in my van but it does lack a certain get up and go! A second hand 2.1DJ has appeared near me and i am very tempted. I would do a full rebuild so it would be a winter project. Question is, will it be worth it? Power and torque figures look much better but i just wondered if anyone has experience of both?

It seems to come with most parts.

Perform a compression test.

A decent DG1900 on a manual should hassle along if willing to stir the box.

Thanks for all your answers. I looks like it's probably not worth doing. Shame as I fancied doing an engine rebuild but if the benefits are not really that good, I think I will look for another project!!

Parts supply for some critical items such as thrust washers, crank bearing shells and camshafts have been a problem for a while now.

Do a costed parts list for a rebuild, its a reality check! How much are new cam followers now? Can you get rocker screws?

I've got a set or two of vgc used DJ pistons in stock, they need a good home and I don't want the earth for them.

I changed my DG for a DJ many years ago , ran the DJ on all the DG stuff, apart from plumbing in the oil cooler , didnt change any of the cooling system and it was definitely worth it , better low down grunt and better MPG , smoother and less hard work . 
Then I changed vans and bought caravelle with a VW replacement DJ fitted for the previous owner , but the injection system was problematic ( why the PO sold it after spending out on the new engine it turns out ) so I slapped a DG carb on it and dumped the injection and ran it like that on lpg for ten years until the bodywork got the better of me . I kept that engine , and transplanted it into my now current camper which was a DG auto , its still loads better than a DG. 
Be extra vigilant with the oil and filter intervals is all i will say , ive done 140k miles on this DJ.

silverbullet wrote: ↑18 Nov 2025, 18:42 Parts supply for some critical items such as thrust washers, crank bearing shells and camshafts have been a problem for a while now.

Do a costed parts list for a rebuild, its a reality check! How much are new cam followers now? Can you get rocker screws?

Followers about 15 quid each. 10mm rocker adjusting screws are still available. But aftermarket quality very suspect.
How about running a DJ using 9mm rockers and adjusters?

I've also been running a 2.1 on a carb and lpg for probably 15yrs without a problem, early van too with early cooling system.

Plumbed the cooler/heater thing in as well, well worth it in my opinion.