Budget for getting a professional to put a modern engine in a T1 or T2?

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HazelGrace

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Joined
Feb 27, 2021
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2
Location
United States
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BMW
This is probably a daft idea, so maybe you guys can just confirm it for me and I'll forget it. I have a hankering to make a camper out of a T1 or T2 and drag it into the modern era with a Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel engine. The original engine would probably be the M115 or OM314 or OM364. I can barely be trusted with an oil change, so I'd have to pay a professional for the whole job. Is there anyone who does this?. With a bit of googling I could only find specialists in pagodas etc. Even if they could be persuaded to work on an old van I'm sure the bill would be crazy.
 
This is probably a daft idea, so maybe you guys can just confirm it for me and I'll forget it. I have a hankering to make a camper out of a T1 or T2 and drag it into the modern era with a Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel engine. The original engine would probably be the M115 or OM314 or OM364. I can barely be trusted with an oil change, so I'd have to pay a professional for the whole job. Is there anyone who does this?. With a bit of googling I could only find specialists in pagodas etc. Even if they could be persuaded to work on an old van I'm sure the bill would be crazy.
Welcome to the Forum.

Everything is possible if you throw enough money at the problem.

Being based in the USA I imagine you are far more likely to find a custom builder who could advise you on such a project. Are there custom car websites you can look at and post enquiries?

You would probably need specialist manufacture of a subframe or supports for the engine and gearbox mounts and you would ideally need to use the Engine Control Unit and Transmission Control Unit (assuming you want an automatic) from the "new" engine etc. In addition, you would probably need to have an exhaust system fabricated, make adaptations to the cooling system along with changes to driveshafts etc and choosing the appropriate final drive ratio.

All is possible, it depends on your budget and finding someone willing to take on such a project.
 
This is probably a daft idea, so maybe you guys can just confirm it for me and I'll forget it. I have a hankering to make a camper out of a T1 or T2 and drag it into the modern era with a Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel engine. The original engine would probably be the M115 or OM314 or OM364. I can barely be trusted with an oil change, so I'd have to pay a professional for the whole job. Is there anyone who does this?. With a bit of googling I could only find specialists in pagodas etc. Even if they could be persuaded to work on an old van I'm sure the bill would be crazy.
The last of the analogue diesel engines would be an om606 (Euro 3) as fitted to late w124 300d models. Anything later than this with a cdi badge on the back will be an electronic nightmare to use for an engine conversion. As you are in the USA would a homegrown V8 conversion not fit the bill?
 
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Along with two clever friends I’ve been involved in rebuilding/owning a few T1’s.
Engine wise, obviously a boxer engine is preferable for a simpler fit, Subaru being the favourite. My pals are in the latter stages of finishing a ’53 Barndoor at the mo and have fitted it with an Alfa 1.6ltr petrol. Not for the faint hearted believe me.
For me, something out of original spec is a no no. But then we’re all different of course.
 
On youboob there is a video of a Russian bloke putting a V8 M113 in a VW van. Does most of the job outside his ropey looking workshop, chops and welds the bell housing to the VW gearbox the lot . bloody hilarious. The end result is a dirty big white van with a V8 MB engine mated to a manual gearbox. Hours of endless fun :p
 
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What . Give way mate ....😳
 
This is probably a daft idea, so maybe you guys can just confirm it for me and I'll forget it. I have a hankering to make a camper out of a T1 or T2 and drag it into the modern era with a Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel engine. The original engine would probably be the M115 or OM314 or OM364. I can barely be trusted with an oil change, so I'd have to pay a professional for the whole job. Is there anyone who does this?. With a bit of go appvalley ogling I could only find specialists in pagodas etc. Even if they could be persuaded to work on an old van I'm sure the bill would be crazy.
issue got solved
 
The last of the analogue diesel engines would be an om606 (Euro 3) as fitted to late w124 300d models. Anything later than this with a cdi badge on the back will be an electronic nightmare to use for an engine conversion. As you are in the USA would a homegrown V8 conversion not fit the bill?
Yes a crate Chevrolet engine !
Comes assembled ready for a "drop in" c/w with ECM and harness etc etc
Tuercas Viejas .
 

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