This gets longish so be forewarned. I have the green VW 16" Syncro Double cab. Cool truck and very practical. I thought I would make it more practical by putting in a new engine. I really wanted to use one of the newer TDI (diesel) powerplants from VW but the conversion really needs the tranny to be regeared so the conversion ends up costing about $12000 to have someone else do it. I decided to go with one of the South African VW motors which is an inline 2.6 liter 5 cylinder. It comes as a kit and everything is new from the VW factory instead of building it up from used parts which is the case with the diesel. This includes fuel injection, starter, exhaust, alt. etc... it is all factory new with this kit and it came to $6700 installed. Went that route instead. Runs great, mileage sucks. I know that the price difference does not pencil out. It would take me forever to save the money in mileage, to make up for the price difference between the two, but I overlooked the useability of the rig. I get about 14-15 mpg the TDI's in the Syncro vans get about 25mpg. We find ourselves not using the truck just because the mileage isn't that great. It also really cuts into the range. It gets worse though. I was told by the company I bought the engine from that I needed higher gearing to increase my mileage. I really didn't want to get into a tranny rebuild as syncro transmissions can be really spendy. I went with taller tires 215/85/16. I did a ton of research and bought tires that should fit with no lift. They didn't work. I bought a lift to clear the tires and spent the last of my car budget on getting the lift installed. The springs were way too soft. It wallowed all over and the front springs would actually bind they were so compressed. So after researching factory specs and ordering the spring rates I wanted instead of what the lift kit maker thought I should have the lift is working pretty well. Shortly after getting this sorted out the transmission goes out. In hindsight I should have just gone with the powerplant I really wanted regeared the tranny and done the work myself. For what I use the truck for I most likely could have skipped the lift and really tall tires. Once again, the slippery slope of modifications has bit me in the ass, and this is why for now the Rover is mostly stock with a slight lift and only slightly larger tires. I can resist the urge to modify, I can resist the urge, I know I can resist. No really! This is nothing compared to the VW Quantum Syncro with the Audi 10 valve Turbo motor in it and fully programmable fuel injection that you tuned with a laptop...not such a bad idea but I convinced my wife it would be a good daily driver for her, but that is a whole nuther story and yes we are still married. the other Craig |