| [ Total Views: 862 | Total Replies: 16 | Thread Id: 4094 ] |
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 PostModern
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| posted on March 1st, 2003 at 12:27 PM |
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Darkside Kombi
:vader
I'm going to be buying and doing a custom job on a Kombi microbus soonish (within a year or so). I like the aircooled engines but have serious
concerns about grunt and long-term viability of the engines.
I live in the Illawarra and my Mrs and I do more than the normal number of trips up Mt Ousley and Bulli Pass, so I want a vehicle that'll climb
these hills comfortably at the speed limit without revving its rings out, fully laden with kids, dogs, luggage and kegs of homebrew for my Sydney
friends and rellies. As I see it, a stock kombi just couldn't keep up 60 km/h up the Pass with this kind of load. My current car, a 1991 Nissan
Maxima (3L V6) can do it in spades, over and over again.
What would it cost me in terms of dollars and reliability to work up a 2L (ish) VW motor that could haul all of us about comfortably in a Kombi? I am
seriously considering resurrecting a dying bus just so I don't have to take another viable aircooled engine off the road. I'd obviously
prefer to get a decent condition bus to start with, which brings me to my next question:
How reversible are engine conversions? ie, is it possible to fit, say, a Holden 3.9L V6 but retain the option to replace the original power plant?
Is there too much chopping of body/bay to even consider returning?
Next: Lifting. I've seen some raised buses for off-road/beach use. I want to do this to my bus. Would there be any issues with driving a V6
enabled bus off-road. I've seen some watercooled buses with 2" copper pipe running under the body to the radiator, so I assume they'll
handle road debris OK, but with the heavier donk at the back, would the bus still be able to trek across the sand without sinking in?
Gear ratios... I assume a stock Kombi transaxle will leave a V6 revving too high, even with 15" rims? Are different diff ratios do-able to keep
a V6 revving in sane ranges?
Phew. Lots of questions. I apologise. I just want to do the mods the right way the first time.
EDIT: We also do cross-country treks every now and again, (family all over the state and friends all over the Eastern Seaboard) so ideally the bus
will need to cruise at 110km/h in any weather, all day long.
[Edited on 1-3-2003 by PostModern]
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Andy
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| posted on March 1st, 2003 at 02:27 PM |
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Not answering all of your concerns, but a std or even slightly modified 2L air cooled bus would definitely be overworked doing what you ask, leading
to over heating and a short life. If you like VW's consider a Syncro (water cooled). Should be able to do what you ask, just very expensive to
re-build/repair if you need to compaired with and aircooled VW.
Better still, CHILL OUT DUDE, a std 2L will do all you ask, maybe chunky tyres for off road stuff, just at a slower pace. Thar's what there all
about!!
:beer
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SKEWtYpe3
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| posted on March 1st, 2003 at 08:01 PM |
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talk to indian automotive
they aer bus guru's i believe
but yeah a balanced polished spanker EFI 2ltr Kombi will last u for ever
:bounce
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PostModern
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| posted on March 1st, 2003 at 09:44 PM |
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Ta. I've been to Indian's site when I started looking at buses. I like the one here:
http://www.kruizinwagon.com.au/buses.asp?action=show_news¤t_id=199
only a V6 microbus instead of a V8 van and just a ~bit~ lower  (and maybe
red)
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SKEWtYpe3
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| posted on March 1st, 2003 at 10:10 PM |
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they are cool but there is alot of money and heaps of water pipe and metal fabrication done here.
Most ppl that do these big mods do or are close to someone who owns a metal work shop and do it in the spare time, hence not toooo many to see.
the only way to find out is to ask q's and what can i do with this much money etc.
:bounce
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 kombi_kid
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| posted on March 1st, 2003 at 10:44 PM |
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hey
indian have a box indeally setup foir the V6 holden can handle 300 hp conversion but it is 5 grand!!! but a standard one maybe with some gear work
done would set ya back around 1000-1500 bucks and the motor etc around 2500!
but then there is fitting of comps radiator wiring harness etc it is very fiddly but well worth it (hope to do it one day)
if fitted in a 72+ year model bus the engine bay is big enough so maybe only some brackets fabricated to hold the engine in!! anmd yes it is
reversible.
hope this all helps
rhys
it aint just cool its aircool'd
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PostModern
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| posted on March 1st, 2003 at 11:17 PM |
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I don't think it'd be outrageous. The only thing I haven't figured out is the cold hard cost of the V6 conversion and engineering
certification. I'm building a vehicle to keep for a while, so there's no issue of trying to recoup what I spend.
Engine (from wreckers) : $1100
Tranny (Indian 091): $?? I have NFI :o
Front lift kit : $300?
Paint job (inside and out): $2500??
15" Rims and tyres : $700
Aircon (tough to cost) : $1500? $2000?
Interior, rubbers, carpet, upholstery, stereo, etc: $3000
Doesn't add up to all that much... done in stages should make it reasonably painless.
To put it in perspective, my other option is a late model Japanese people mover. 
EDIT: Thanks kombi_kid. I was taking my time and you posted while I had this opened. $5k for the 091, eh? Ouch!
[Edited on 1-3-2003 by PostModern]
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OvalGlen
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| posted on March 2nd, 2003 at 01:22 AM |
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while we're mentioning businesses, you may
want to compare prices with CBB Penrith
they are in the VW Bussinesses Guide on this forum.
CBBVW.com
Have fun.
Regards,Glenn>
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Che Castro
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| posted on March 2nd, 2003 at 11:55 AM |
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you can rebuild a type 4 engine (from the late kombi) and maybe fit 96mm pistons and get 2056. I think it should cost about 4k to do a stockish
rebuild of a 2L type 4 and there is nothing else to do other than put it in and drive.
It'll last u forever though, there are stories of stock type 4's going 500 000 miles + with the heads being taken off every 50 000k for a
valve job.
Jon
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kombi_kid
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| posted on March 2nd, 2003 at 08:52 PM |
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luke pell has his V6 conversion for sale at the mo out of his kombi includes the adaptor plate clutch pressure plate comp radiator etc (all there) for
1800!!! pretty fukin good and it will mate up to a 2L kombi box (2L kombi box's withstand 200hp) so long as u dont flog it!!!
CBB would be a good option for lift kits!!
cheers
rhys
it aint just cool its aircool'd
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PostModern
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| posted on March 3rd, 2003 at 10:08 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by kombi_kid
2L kombi box's withstand 200hp
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Thanks Rhys, this is the sort of info I'm looking for. I'm not looking to make an insane drag-racing bus. I'd probably drain a few of
the hp of the engine out thru aircon and a phat alternator anyway 
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KruizinKombi
A.k.a.: Col
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| posted on March 4th, 2003 at 11:29 AM |
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Do a search for Wes's post about his V6 Baja. For that matter, the link to his website is on the bottom of every one of his posts (or was last
time I looked), so take a cruise around. The conversion is really impressive, and details most of the work that you'll have to do to undertake a
conversion of your own. A kombi will be somewhat different obviously, but the concept is much the same. :thumb
Kruizin Kol
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PostModern
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| posted on March 4th, 2003 at 01:10 PM |
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I've been thru Wes' site and liked what I saw. I must say, it's half the reason I'm inspired to get into all this tomfoolery However, the Mrs has raised the crash safety issue of Kombis and has put her
foot down... no Kombi with a rear engine  I'll keep working on
her.
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KruizinKombi
A.k.a.: Col
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| posted on March 4th, 2003 at 02:08 PM |
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I don't understand the stuff about crash safety issues: The later 70's kombi's have a full width safety member behind the bumper and a
'Y-frame chassis' just like the ones Toyota was bragging about in their Taragos in the 80's.
Sure there's not much between the front seat occupants and the outside, but they're no worse than any other van of similar design. Kombis
definitely handle and brake better than similar vans of the same era though. The bonus is that people who drive kombis generally
drive quite sedately and tend to avoid trouble. Of course, that doesn't include dope-smoking hippies, people who like to drive their kombi's
on two wheels and most P-platers. :o Come to think of it, it probably doesn't include people with V6 and V8 converted kombis either!! 
Kruizin Kol
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PostModern
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| posted on March 6th, 2003 at 10:19 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by KruizinKombi
Come to think of it, it probably doesn't include people with V6 and V8 converted kombis either!!
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:P
We're going the way of aircooled I do feel a little better about
this. To be honest, I felt a little bit evil about fitting a water cooled engine in an old VW.... something like those guys who get 1950's
bakelite radios and fit them with C3 based computers.... anyway, now to find the right bus for us.
Thanks for the responses everyone. You'll be seeing a lot more of me here over the next year or so. I'm just gonna fix my current car (to
keep as a second) and spend time doing a nice resto-custom job on a solid bus.
Can anyone point me at a good site with say a history of Kombis and when features like the safety bar and Y-frame chassis were introduced? Good books
to get?
I'm also seeking advice on which engine to rebuild for a Kombi. As much grunt as practical without losing 50000 click reliability. There's
probably a more appropriate place to ask about that tho, like General Chit-Chat?
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Bizarre
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| posted on March 6th, 2003 at 10:38 AM |
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A site i would recomend you go to is
http://www.shoptalkforums.com
You will find 2 sections there of great interest.
1) The Bus Barn
2) The Type 4rum
The Bus Barn is good for general information although the Americans get all hot and sweatty over splits and tend to forget the others (especially air
cooled wedges/vanagons like i own)
The other is about type 4 motors and POWER.
This is where it gets interesting.
I think everyone here would agree that a Type 4 motor is the way to go in the bus (ie a 1974 + bus). Done properly these motors can produce solid
power, gobs of torque, cool running and longevity.
Now back a couple of steps.
Maybe you should consider a Wedge/Vanagon Air cooled. These are an 80-82 vintage but are wider than normal, still air cooled and improved safet issues
(concertina(sp?) safety cell at the front) and handle and corner much better than bays.
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Futue te ipsum!!!
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Baja Wes
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| posted on March 6th, 2003 at 08:43 PM |
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For an idea of costs to think about in a V6 conversion check out my site, which you already have done. I included a full list of details of costs.
As for gearing, I chose a 2lt 6-rib box with an Albins 0.70 4th gear set. 2lt rebuilds can be around $1200 depend on whats wrong. An Abins gear set is
$350. So the tranny should be under $2000 at the max I would think.
A V6 in the back will only make it go better offroad. Trust me, my baja gets way more grip with the V6 in the back. It really bites in.
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amazer
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| posted on March 6th, 2003 at 09:04 PM |
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Hah. You buy a T3 and there aint no way I'll be waving to ya. Even my 4 yr old knows they arent cool. I've got a calendar (thanks J) with
various VW vans. She flicks through it saying kombi, kombi, kombi, normal car (T3), kombi, kombi, normal car (T4), kombi... Nobody here wants to drive
a normal car do they?
Any rust free (ok relatively rust free) 74 or later is best but 77 or later even better. Basically all the same but later ones get some little things
that work nicer or look better. A good 76 is better than a so so 77 though.
Looking forward to seeing another turbo kombi around. Im at Warilla, and do enough trips up ousley as well. Top gear at 1/3 throttle. Yee haa. You may
see me around. I got the clubvw website sticker on the back of my orange 74.
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
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PostModern
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| posted on March 6th, 2003 at 09:13 PM |
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Thanks Wes. I reckon we're set on an aircooled bus now. I don't have the time or the workshop to do the work myself and the Mrs has her
heart set on a new 2007 model bus i can't justify $7K plus for a
V6 conversion to use for only 4 years. We're keeping my current Maxima "for quick runs down to the snowfields" and running a bus for
beach holidays and soccer training runs A lifted and worked 2L late
70's bus is on the cards. A neighbour is in Club VeeDub here I think (a loud green 60's beetle???)... so I might start speaking to other
Illawarra dubbers and get my hands on something to play with soon.
amazer: I think I've seen your bus around the Gong. I spend the working week in Sydney and on trains (yawn) and live up in the Northern burbs,
but I'm sure I've seen an orange bus around the place. What's Dunham like for VW work?
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amazer
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| posted on March 6th, 2003 at 09:16 PM |
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An orange kombi. Hmmm I think half of the kombis ever made were orange.
Dunhams are excellent.
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
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PostModern
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| posted on March 6th, 2003 at 09:19 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by amazer
Hmmm I think half of the kombis ever made were orange.
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And most of the other half were baby-pooh yellow
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