My Syncro Project

[teenwolf]

Just wanted to introduce myself and share my van with everyone as I start work on it. My names Matt, I live in Vt and picked up this 1986 Syncro 7 passenger a year ago. I only just registered it and began to tinker with it because I've been too busy working on another VW project. The van is ruff but was dirt cheap... anyway pics of the day I brought it home;






So far I have only done some tune up stuff. Removed all of the carpet to apply bed liner. Added larger wheels and tires. I just found a camper parts van to swap the pop top, some body panels and cabinet etc. When thats delivered work will pick up.

[TroySmith80]

Cool. I have an 84 2WD westy and am looking to get a syncro or go with a Ford. I need the 4WD!

You going to do an engine swap? I put a subaru 2.5 in mine... whole new vehicle. I'd suggest that or a VW 1.9T or TDI. There is a ford zetec kit too, but i rode in one and didn't much like it.

[teenwolf]

I haven't had much experience with syncro 4wd but eager to give it a good shake down. My van also has a rear diff lock which has proved very handy.

I have been looking into motor swaps since I first tried to climb a hill with the van. I'm leaning towards a 1.8l turbo or a 2.8l vr6. Im familiar with both and they are becoming more affordable.

[Scott Brady]

Gotta love the syncros

[TroySmith80]

Oh, yeah, 1.8T not 1.9... whatever it is, i'm not sure. It's the gas turbo 4-cyl engine that they used for years up until just a couple years ago. There's a guy on the samba who's done several of them, Stephan i believe is his name? You've probably already read about his stuff.

[teenwolf]

I have been reading up a lot on Samba. Those guy are putting down a lot of power with the stage 3 kits from APR. I'm leaning towards a earlier AEB code 1.8t. It makes less power (150 vs 180) but uses a cable throttle body and is mounted longitudinal already from the donor car.

Waiting for the parts van to arrive. Snowing today, so hopefully I can get a start on this in time to have it ready for snowboarding.

[stclair]

Cool project, and even has a locker! Dirt cheap? Always good! Keep us posted.

[cloudbaseracer]

Matt,

I am interested in following your progress. Why are you going to put the top on the Syncro instead of the Syncro parts on the Westy? I am just curious as most people say moving the Westy parts over is harder.

I currently have a '90 Westy that I am putting the running gear in from an '87 Syncro.

Cheers,

James

[teenwolf]

James, I got the westy for free from a fellow van guy. The westy is a '81 air cooled that had caught fire. Its a clean van shell from what I saw but he has removed most of the interior. I wanted the van mainly for the rear hatch and sliding door as mine have large dents in them. But then I figure why not take some westy bits while I'm at it.

So list of things I want to swap that shouldn't be to difficult; My syncro has the sun roof so I'm going to try and use the pop top. Rear hatch. Sliding door. Front swivel seats. Rear storage cabinet (if its not too burnt).

I will let the pictures explain themselves when I can. I know both the vans are similar but think syncro to 2wd westy would be quite a undertaking... have you started your conversion yet?

Matt

[TroySmith80]

From what i've seen, making a 2WD into a syncro is a monstrous undertaking. I did an engine swap in my van, and it wasn't too bad, but having seen pictures and documentation of a syncro install, i wouldn't touch that project. Maybe (hopefully) i'm wrong and it's not that hard, but it looks like an awful lot of work.

How far along are you in the process, James? I'd love to hear your opinion on the difficulty of the conversion, since you're doing it.

This is the thread that has informed my opinion: LINK

... Why are you going to put the top on the Syncro instead of the Syncro parts on the Westy? I am just curious as most people say moving the Westy parts over is harder.

I currently have a '90 Westy that I am putting the running gear in from an '87 Syncro.

Cheers,

James