1982 Westy Camper w/ 1.9L Turbo Diesel – $15k in Austin, Texas
Travolta is his name, and he’s even got his own website (link), though I found him posted on The Samba classifieds this morning (link). This specimen is a 1982 VW Vanagon Westfalia Camper with all kinds of documented love and upgrades including a 1.9L Turbo Diesel (AAZ) engine from a ’96 VW Golf, upgraded transmission and is approaching 200k miles. I love when sellers go to this extent of description and detail when selling their van, and I hope these folks can sell Travolta quickly as a result, and maybe we can help too. While the seller goes to great lengths to detail the work they’ve done on this Westy, they do clearly state that it will soon need front end bushings, front brake rotors and some window seals. The google sites link above tells what is likely the entire story of the work that has been done on this van in the past, and even has a video of the engine starting and running (link). Go check it out in Austin, Texas with an asking price of $15k.
Some features I like in this one; It’s insulated, deep cycle batteries w/ solenoid switch, fresh tent canvas, fresh cooing system, exhaust temp sensor and gauge, oil cooler, nice window tint, recentl marine paint on the pop top, updated cabinets, later model vanagon front seats, led dash lights.
I’d love to have an AAZ in my Westy some day, would love to increase my mpg by at least 25%, even with the extra noise. Got any thoughts or words of wisdom to share? Leave your banter in the comments below, or head on over to the individual discussions about this Westy on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Google+.
Turbo? I had a 1.9 AAZ with a turbo set up and this guys engine does not sound like it has any boost whatsoever. When he is revving the motor up like that , did you notice it just lags like the turbo is not even kicking it. Mine was much quieter and turbo kicks in right away. Wish I had a video of mine to show how a proper turbo diesel motor should run. And I still hated my diesel, don’t get one is my recommendation. If you are going to insist on getting a diesel conversion, get a proper TDI motor from a modern VW with OBD set up, preferably a 2000 and newer VW. And don’t use the solid engine mounts all the shaking at idle will drive you nuts especially while you are sitting and waiting for the light to change or sitting in traffic. Use oil filled ones instead, you will be glad you did spend that extra money to do it.