Vanagon Engine Update *The End of the Beginning*

Finally, the GoWesty is the winner! I finally have a leak free engine!!!
A special thanks to Costa Mesa Transmission and Gowesty thank you both!!!
costamesatrans... *One of the best engine/transmission installers ;) in SoCal.
gowesty.com/ *The best engine experience I've had - I guess you do get what you pay for.
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Computer: www.aliexpress...

[@louieluis8840]

Engine sounding very good

[@ShaggyCrew87]

😀 Sweet!. Which model is that engine? It sounds awesome. how much HP do you have now?

[@oldgadfly8398]

You learned a lot through the pain! Cheers.

[@smidgelife]

Too true! I hope I helped others so they don't have to go through as much pain😃

[@DanTheManIOM]

that sounds great....

[@jcnredpizzawindow2219]

Yeah that thing is purrring like kitten. Jc

[@pablitokasso8508]

Hi.. One thing I didn't hear you talk about was something I'm interested in.... How much of a difference in horsepower upgrade was there going from 1900cc to 2100cc to 2200cc during your debacle? Also how are things going over a year later?

[@smidgelife]

Initially it was noticeably stronger going up hills. Then I had it tuned as the idle was a bit high. What I notice is that every mechanic has an opinion and it's not always right. After the tune it felt like a 1.9. Now I need to get it tuned again and I need someone that can check the timing and the air fuel mixture. A year later the engine is good, leak free. But it needs to be tuned again. A new engine is nice, but it's painful and will not solve all your issues. Best of luck...let me know. Cheers

[@kimhorton6109]

I’ve heard good things about this engine but the power problem remains and no one I found in Tennessee where I lived would work on it. I had the same problem after I moved to Arkansas. Going Subaru. Nice looking engine bay.

[@acdc8175]

Nice Vanagon! How many miles does the engine have? Also where did you get the computer on the dashboard? Thank you!

[@smidgelife]

Thank you! It's been a journey for sure. Computer: www.aliexpress.com/item/4000109557122.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.45994c4dyfuNcb I have 80 miles on the rebuild GoWesty engine :)

[@geofab3281]

Smidge Life What size Gowesty engine? Is it a 2400 or 2700.

[@geofab3281]

Thanks. Base in your experiences, do you think GoWesty engines would be your best choice?

[@smidgelife]

@@geofab3281 The gowesty engine was a much better experience for me when compared to one of the cheaper alternatives from another vendor. It's very painful and costly if your new rebuilt engine leaks because like in my case they had to pull the engine multiple times and then eventually I went with gowesty.

[@smidgelife]

@@geofab3281 mine is a 2200. Which is still an upgrade from the original 1.9. I did consider the other size up, but I did not want to always add premium gas.

[@geofab3281]

When you did your Gowesty conversion, did you get the GW-EFI kit upgrade?

[@smidgelife]

No I didn't. It's an interesting upgraded, but for another time. You?

[@jcnredpizzawindow2219]

So when you installed the gowesty engine Costa Mesa transmission did everything? And what am I looking at in total price for engine and installation. Jc

[@smidgelife]

They did everything, pull old core, received new engine, installed new engine, and scheduled the core pickup. Please contact the for an estimate as mine was very complicated. They did an amazing job and are wonderful people.

[@JamesBondJB007]

Cha ching nice mask 😷

[@smidgelife]

LOL so true!!! $$$$$ Had to tame this beast.

[@montanaharkin]

Is that tach from a Golf?

[@geofab3281]

What size Gowesty engine did you installed?

[@smidgelife]

GVW-2200-1.9M and I'm very happy. I was apprehensive because of the price but in the end it was the best engine.

[@geofab3281]

Smidge Life Can you please tell me who installed It?

[@smidgelife]

@@geofab3281 Costa Mesa transmission in southern California. They did a great job and they were very reasonable.

[@geofab3281]

Smidge Life Thanks. I leave in the Bay Area and I might have to find someone here.

[@geofab3281]

Hi again, did you have to ship out your old original engine and get an engine core credit of $1,500 back?