I've been wondering the same thing. Haven't found an answer though, let me know if you do!

I am actually researching the same thing but with a TDI diesel. The TDI (turbo direct injection) has basically the same 1.9l block as the TD(turbo diesel-technically IDI(Indirect Injection)) however has the injectors spray into the cylinder because it has a better head design. The TDI is the engine that will give you the most tangible results as far as power and efficiency and emissions. You will need of course the engine, harness, pcm, motor mounts, and also a way to move the power. I want to try it with the whole powertrain out of a late model TDI golf or jetta, but that would make me need to either A) fabricate CV axles that are the correct length or B) get lucky on a match
Also, the suspension is not satisfactory to me, so really i would need the whole car to part from.

If you want to run the TDI on the stock tranny, the input shaft is different for gas and diesel transaxles.
I'm not a professional, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

I really want to do the same thing and have been wondering if it's possible and how expensive it can be. If you or anybody on here knows how, please contact me: randompat@hotmail.com

thanks!

- pat

In our 1982 VW bus which we converted to run on bio-diesel and waste vegetable oil. So, I think it is possible... We’re now just mostly working on small things to get the Volkswagen bus parts ready for our trip: fixing the curtains, replacing the interior upholstery, deep cleaning the inside, and working out the last kinks in the grease system and new engine. We’ve got a few more weeks before we hit the road, and were very happy that this test run of the grease system did so well. Yay for the volksvegan! May there be many more greasy miles ahead…

if it is possible, could you put it in a type 3?

I saw a karman ghia with a 1.6l turbo diesel engine. They used the vanagon stuff to put it in. I can't imagine why it can't be done on a bus. You need the input shaft or diesel trans, bellhousing adapter, vanagon oil pan and pickup, may have to fabricate the engine mount to clear a jetta turbo diesel manifold, much easier if you use the quantum setup. Exhaust can be homemade and the little stuff always adds up. The parts mentioned above will run about $750 or so. A good used diesel turbo engine with low miles usually goes for 1500-2000. These guys have vanagon install kits as well as used and new vw diesels motors. MY rabbit has been very happy with one of their 60k mile used 1.6l turbo diesel engines.

http://zs-imports.com/Mechanical/hardware.htm

I saw in a VW mag about this time last year, a conversion utilizing a 1.9L Jetta TDI. Very tight fit, but very clean. I believe it was a '78-79 bus.

go to kennedy enginering. they make an adapter plate and flywheel setup that uses a factory baywindow bus transaxle