my buddies got an '82 vanagon diesel, and he wants to convert it to EJ subaru power. would the Kennedy adapter kit work with the diesel tranny? other problems we might run in to?

my buddies got an '82 vanagon diesel, and he wants to convert it to EJ subaru power. would the Kennedy adapter kit work with the diesel tranny? other problems we might run in to?

 

I don't think so, the diesel uses a different bellhousing than the gas models. However, there are plenty of gas bellhousings out there, then you bolt up the Kennedy adapter and the Subaru. BTW, folks are looking for those diesel parts to go the other way.

 

However, if I had a diesel vanagon, I would look at a TDI conversion or some of the other diesel upgrades. There are websites devoted to that.

What, he doesnt like driving the slowest production vehical ever made?

 

You will need to get a gasoline tranny, as not only are the bell housing differnt, but i think the gearing is different too (something more suited for a diesel power band).

 

 

nipper

WARNING most of what was previously posted is BS and should be disregarded

 

p. 157 of the parts place inc 2007 is the start of the van section

 

the vw engines do not use bellhousings to mount transmissions!

 

the clutch stays with the engine when the trans is removed

 

the trans is moloded in such a way as to go around the clutch componets

 

you could upgrade to the 1.9 "easily"

 

the boxers are a totally different critter

I have a pdf of the Vanagon manual if you want it, its a 54,425KB pdf file

 

nipper

Something to keep aware of

 

Gas engine................................ Diesel

finale drive 4.83 ........................... 5.42

1st 3.75 .................................... 4.11

2nd 2.06..................................... 2.33

3rd 1.23..................................... 1.14

4th 0.85..................................... 1.01

5th NA .....................................0 .765

 

 

nipper

 

(source Bently Manual)