Club 80-90 Forums

Hello everybody.
I am new to this camper scene my friends have campers and have decided to join them.Well the question is as follows.I have bought a watercooled 1984 DEHLER T25 without engine and gearbox.What is the best engine best gearbox to use.I intend to run the van on LPG because I have other cars that use this and it is cheaper.I have discounted the Subaru engine(just in case it goes wrong)in far away places.I intend to travel distances and common spares is an important factor.I am more than able to carry out the work myself.If you have any ideas all will be read and considered.
John AKA Billybodger

hi ya,

my van runs a 1.91Y engine from a vw vento/passat/golf etc etc etc. Has pretty good mpg and is a doddle to fix.

Great wee engine and spares are plentiful.

I'm sure somebody else will give you there thoughts on their engines

2.1 or 1.9 waterboxer either will love LPG.

you may need a carb for the 2.1...unless you want to keep the injection system

either way will be ok with gas

the water system in the van now will lend itself to either engines.

I'm with the rev. 1.9 or 2.1. I have a dehler and drove it back from Poland at 80 mph on gas. Stock 1.9 or 2.1 are great, but you should see what happens when you stick a pair of carbs on them!
Twin 36 DRLA on Type 3 manifolds... Kazoooom! Driven carefully, 32 MPG driven hard..... 14

Get a diesel
By the time you have bought and paid for LPG installation you would need to do thousands of miles before you recoup your money
DIESELS....Cheaper to run, better MPG, hundreds of donor vehicles, lots of spares
1.6 diesel or a 1.9 na I would recommend, 1.9 more guts and would be needed with the top on yours.
I am glad it has gone to a good home, nearly went for it but no pennies
TTFN Kris

Hi Folks
Thanks for the replies and ideas.I am heading towards the 2.1 waterboxer at the moment!why some will ask.Well I will try to explain I want to run none ECU single carb and on LPG.I can sort the bits on Ebay for the gas conversion and carry about 150 ltrs of gas.The reason i am not over excited about the diesel option is high cost of fuel and both my friends have T25 Jokers 1.6 turbo highroof and the are not very quite and seem to have to rev them to bits to get anywhere.Two trips I will be making in this year both will be minimum of 6000 klm round trip and into the eastern block and asia.Petrol is half the price it is here and the diesel is not good. The LPG then becomes a real bonus.But all that said I could be swerved onto Diesel if a good none UCU motor was suggested.If i could get the VW to go like my 312 Sprinter I would be more than happy with that.

Peugeot/Citroen 1.9 turbo engines. I think they are the business. There is a guy does conversions for them.

My F plate '89 T25 is a 1600cc desiel and to be honest its a little underpowered. It takes time to pick up speed and cruises at 55mph. I've only ever pushed it to 65mph but on motorway inclines it alarmingly slows to 30-40mph. Well dodgy

I drive it 20 miles a day on the work commute and get between 25-30 mpg. Its done 212K miles so I treat her gently.

My mate has a 1990 T25 with 1.9TD that cruises at 70-80mph and drives more like car, performance wise.

Looks like you've made your decision, but this is a good thread that will hopefully help others.

hi,

did have a 1.6td, that blew up!!!
now have a 1z 1.9tdi in it.....smashing!!!

its really your own choice v how much cash you want to spend!!!

with fuel going up everywhere it a difficult choice!!!

Laurie wrote: Twin 36 DRLA on Type 3 manifolds... Kazoooom!

I have often thought about opening the old girls throat up with two pair of Dellies
any thought about gassing that set up Laurie?

BiC wrote:My F plate '89 T25 is a 1600cc desiel and to be honest its a little underpowered. It takes time to pick up speed and cruises at 55mph. I've only ever pushed it to 65mph but on motorway inclines it alarmingly slows to 30-40mph. Well dodgy

I drive it 20 miles a day on the work commute and get between 25-30 mpg. Its done 212K miles so I treat her gently.

My mate has a 1990 T25 with 1.9TD that cruises at 70-80mph and drives more like car, performance wise.

Looks like you've made your decision, but this is a good thread that will hopefully help others.

Your van has big problems if it won't muster 70mph.

What did the Dehler leave the factory as? Petrol or Diesel, that would sway my decision as to what to put into it as there are other differences apart from whats in the engine bay.

Hi Laurie,

I'm with the rev. 1.9 or 2.1. I have a dehler and drove it back from Poland at 80 mph on gas. Stock 1.9 or 2.1 are great, but you should see what happens when you stick a pair of carbs on them!
Twin 36 DRLA on Type 3 manifolds... Kazoooom! Driven carefully, 32 MPG driven hard..... 14

If this is for real then we need to talk more! You can sign me up straight away.
Am keen to improve both performance and MPG. Not keen to go down the LPG route though.
Thanks

i stuck a pair of 36 drla dells on my last motor and they transformed it.

What did the Dehler leave the factory as? Petrol or Diesel, that would sway my decision as to what to put into it as there are other differences apart from whats in the engine bay.

That'd as good as seal it for me. But if something seriously over-rides it (like no diesel in Tazikhistan, and you aregoing there) then now's the time to make the choice

Well my thread is causing some interest,My friends have the same problem going up hills that is one of the reasons I will not go 1.6TD
I am warming to the idea of 1.9TDI.But the really big issue for me is the LPG.I have a BMW that runs on LPG @ 51p per litre and it really breaks my heart to put petrol in it @110p per litre.I get the same performance in fact it goes better on LPG ( higher octane) and goes further litre for litre and less than half price.
Somebody mentioned that they would not go down the LPG route it is easy to fit you can get all the bits you would ever need on Ebay and when you get the taste of cheap motoring you will go more places its half the price ask Laurie he seems to be an old hand on this site he came back from Poland on LPG at 80MPH Oh the satisfaction of cheap motoring.
I would like to know what he paid for LPG in Poland they use it a lot there and I will pass through on my travels.

WELL BACK TO THE QUESTION. What is the best gearbox to use I need high top gear 4 or 5 speed its all the same to me. And would I need to buy an adaptor plate to fit the 1.9 TDI motor. And what car would I find such an engine. Gents I am swaying between the 1.9TDI and the petrol.
It really is the toss of a coin.
You have to understand this is all new to me but I can adapt very fast. Really thanks a lot for the input up to now I do appreciate it and you aint wasting your time typing. John AKA billybodger