Club 80-90 Forums

Hi I'm new to the site and it looks to be a wealth of useful information, I've been searching around here but I can't quite see a definative answer to my question. I have a 1.9 '88 watercooled t25 panel van with a dead engine, I guess it has a crack barrel or something. Anyway it seems that the simplist upgrade is to fit a 2.1 wbx engine and run it on my 1.9 carb re-jetted, am I right in thinking that I can just get hold of the 2.1 engine and all my ancilleries will just bolt straight on? then a rolling road session to get it fueled properly.


Any help or advice much appreciated.

Hi and welcome
Yes you can use a 2.1 engine and all your bits in if good nick will bolt on... Is your old engine a DG code with twin choke pierburg carb? (if its isnt then you would be looking for a DG setup or use the Fi on the original engine) is so a rejet not totaly required... if all the stock exhaust etc used.. would be interesting to see if you do rolling road it though
I have been running a 2.1 DJ spec engine as a DG (1.9) for a long time... it was running on LPG though... seems fine on petrol (super unleaded)

Dont discount a good 1.9 though.. they work well, but the extra grunt of the 2.1 makes all the difference on a big trip etc...

thanks for the reply, the main reason for not using the Fi setup was just because I was trying to keep it as cheap and quick to do as possible. I'll have a look tomorrow and see if I can work out what engine/carb i have(is there an easy way to identify them?). I bought this van as a non-runner but my previous t25 was a 1.9 also, it wasn't a slouch at all but I'm just of the mentality that if i'm going to do an engine swap then I might as well try and stick one in with a bit more power.

Would it not be better to go scooby power

eatcustard wrote:Would it not be better to go scooby power

That aint exactly his plans tho ..........................

rm2was wrote:thanks for the reply, the main reason for not using the Fi setup was just because I was trying to keep it as cheap and quick to do as possible.

I know cost is an issue, but I have seen 2.4 "Big Bore" engines as direct replacement for these, stick in a mild cam and twin carbs and you might just give a scooby a run for its money. As its still the same engine its cost of installation would be very cheap unlike the scooby. Anyway just a thought and a line I am looking into as I like the idea of keeping a VW lump in the back.

2.4 wbx... I dont think so... there isnt a "cheap" way to get them to 2.4L... There are some cheap 2.4 type 4 air cooled engines... IMHO, but even then the numbers dont add up and they really wont be much good in a heavy camper...

Link below is to a 2.2 lump for £1449 which I do not think is bad, the 2.4 was from an USA site, with different cams, it was priced at around 2000 dollars which would have been cheap until recently.

http://www.theengineshop.info/wc_petrol_enginea.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry but there is no way anyone can build a 2.4 wbx for 2000 dollars, despite what they say... the crank alone would be 600 dollars... piston kit same again at least...
If you have been on the go westy site, their price list is slightly confusing.. you first have to take the base price for a rebiuld and add on the "option" price... (it was like this when I last looked some time ago..)
Budget at least £5k to get one on this side of the pond.......

I have been trying to build a "cheap" big bore wbx for several years... It just cannot be done... Sorry... I have done so much research if it really existed I would be selling them....

Cant comment too much on the 2.2 from them, but if they are using the pistons I think they are (only 2 manufacturers of the 2.2 piston kits and both have issues) the 2.2 wont be putting out as much power as the 2.1 and will start to consume oil at a high rate after 20k miles...
Now IF, they have sorted the issues and done rework on the kits, then fine, but its still only 300 more than they ask for the standard engine... Difficult to do the required rework for that AND fit "new" heads...... But as I say, I dont have the info on their stuff.. but it is their biz so if anyone can...

Just had a look...

Gowesty... http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details. ... parent_id=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

USD 5.5k then add on the "core charge" etc etc and shipping, duty, VAT.....

engine core + crate core... = USD 6750........

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=122471" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Less power but more torque than on a standard healthy DJ. It is a great deal of work. I just go everywhere 5mph slower than the above engine, and save myself thousands of pounds. Lovely thing though, no doubt.

Simon.

rm2was wrote: am I right in thinking that I can just get hold of the 2.1 engine and all my ancilleries will just bolt straight on?

Yes.

Ian

about 4 years ago i was running a 2.1 with a single weber carb setup.
it made 105 on the rollers and the guy at the rolling road said it would make a bit more when the engine done a few more miles (had only done about 1800 miles since a rebuild)
i would recomend the running a 2.1 on a carb.

my first van 10 years ago was a 2.1 on a standard carb...... it went very well..
we didnt even realise it was a 2.1 untill we came to do some work to it 3 months after getting it..

Can I just confirm then that the 2.2 lump being sold by the engine shop is overpriced, underpowered and consumes loads of oil?

Nope... you cant confirm anything... wasnt accusing them of anything either..
Just based on the 2 chinese piston manufacturers I am aware of.. Must be several others out there.. I just havent found them..
Those manufacturers prob have revised their designs since I looked...


TES have access to a full machine shop etc and have alternate suppliers for parts that I wont be aware of, they also buy in bulk so get better prices... which is always good....
I personally havent heard anything about TES... but you should google etc and ask about, I never said it was overpriced.... They also say "full written warranty"... (GW wouldnt give warranty on there engines supplied over here, a few months ago.. )

Oh.. I forgot.... Go Westy have some 2.2 pistons made, perhaps they bought them.. if so cracking (as in good, not that they crack!!!) pistons...

You going to get one then?? A lightweight panel van would fly on one.... (well not literally fly... not without some wings etc of course..)

I dont now anyone that has got one yet.... must be some out there now... they have been offering them for a little while...