In a message dated 98-03-11 03:49:26 EST, NACHTAIN7@AOL.COM writes:

<< i constantly see postings for increased power via engine swaps.  why hasn't
 anyone been able to turbo or supercharge their 2.1 wasserboxer?  this doesn't
 seem to be that hard.  or does it?  it seems that would be the way to get the
 extra horsepower and torque.  well?  anyone?   >>

Nigel--

(flame-quenching disclaimer) In my opinion:

As you know, a turbo or supercharger indirectly increases overall compression,
and also increases the static load on the motor. This combination produces
increased stress on the motor's critical parts, so the candidate motor designs
for this "improvement" have to be near bullet-proof.

I think all of us will agree: the 2.1 wasserboxer system is amoung the least
bullet-proof motor units VW, or any other manufacturer has made. Ever. If we
temporarily seperate ourselves from our VW love, we can see that this motor
sucks.

Under normal use, the owner struggles to get to go more than 80k without head
gasket or fuel management problems. The engine cooling system, designed by
Spanky and Alfalfa von Klink, can hardly keep up with normal duties, much less
increased load. The exhaust system doesn't usually make it to 150k, and causes
one to debate re-financing the home for replacement cost.

Overall, this motor unit is an ongoing maintenance project more than a
succesfull propulsion unit. I think VW had a big lump in its throat about the
passing into history of the VW horizontally opposed engine, and took it too
far with the 2.1. This motor is the unfortunate "weak link" in an otherwise
fantastically designed vehicle.

As others have voiced, I remain dumbfounded that VW did not pursue with great
vigor the application of the nearly bullet-proof Rabbit/Golf motor for the
Vanagon, while they were still stamping out those crazy oil pans for the
diesel Van. These engines are routinely supercharged in Rabbits and Sciroccos
without much pain.

I've seen turbos and super-chargers on the type 4, but they caused overheating
and other reliability issues. Long and short, great idea, wrong motor.

mostly lurking these days...

gmbulley
cary, nc