Skip to main content
vanagon.com
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Audi 5 Cyl Swap: Alert! Possible Trouble
From:Mark B. Magee
Date:Tue, 26 Jan 1999 09:01:14 -0600

Volks,
I as many of you are, I as well am excited about the specter of a 5cyl
audi, turbo or non-turbo swap in for my 4spd 91 Westy (143K on orig top
end/bottom end). Yet I believe all who would do this need to be aware
that any swap in will -not- be approved by the new Federal Standards
(all 50 states) and present CAL standards unless the motor being swapped
in is at least of the same year model -or newer- than the year model of
the vehicle. E.g., with my 91 Westy, I will be legal only if I swap in a
91 or newer Audi 5cyl, along w/all applicable smog equipment.
If you're planning to swap in a motor, be advised that Fed standards are
slowly being implemented throughout the country, a visible check of your
motor may or may not trigger an inspector to notice the slant 5 instead
of the wasserboxer, yet if they find out a swap has been done, (yes they
-do- ask FBI type questions) and they run the serial numbers on the
block that show the engine older than the car: you are out of compliance
and in the nether world of dealing with the Feds who are very nasty
about this presently.
Bottom line, if planning a Vanagon motor swap in, purchase a motor of
the year of your van or newer to avoid trouble.

--
><>     ><>     ><>     ><>     ><>     ><>     ><>     ><>     ><>
Shalom                                                    87 GL
Mark Magee                                           91 Westy
Kemah TX USA                                     96 Suzuki 4WD Sport
John 14:6                                                83 Honda XL
250! Yea!!