1.9 to 2.1 Cooling System Conversion Bundle

Volkswagen's first stab at a cooling system for the 1900cc waterboxer lasted only three years, from 1983-85. With the introduction of the 2100cc platform in 1986, VW completely redesigned the entire cooling system—and for good reason.

If your early-style cooling system is all original, or if you have been putting money into it here and there to keep it going, don't throw more good money at bad! There is no single system more important to keeping you going down the road than the cooling system. Take the opportunity to convert over to the most efficient system VW ever delivered in a Vanagon. Do it all. Do it right. Do it once!

Here is a breakdown of all the parts included in our comprehensive bundle:

• Billet Aluminum Lower Thermostat Housing Kit
• Billet Aluminum Upper Thermostat Housing Cover
• GoWesty Aluminum Coolant Expansion Tank
• Coolant Bleed Ring Replacement Kit
• Metal Air Bleed Nipple Kit
• Water Pump Kit, plus our water pump stud-to-bolt upgrade
• Coolant Hose Junction to consolidate coolant connections
• Stainless Steel Water Pump to Thermostat Pipe to replace the previously hosed connection.
• Oil dipstick bracket
• Wiring to extend coolant sensor leads
• Lines and adapters to bypass the factory 2.1 oil cooler
• OPTIONAL: 2.1 Cooling Hose Kit- Available as an add-on in the dropdown menu

IMPORTANT NOTE: Installation of this bundle also requires the additional kit:
• Stainless Steel Cooling Pipe Set - Time to ditch your smaller diameter pipes in favor of the late model 1.5" pipes

PDF Instructions

1.9 to 2.1 Cooling System Conversion Instructions

Install Notes

Automatic Transaxles: For vans with an automatic, we strongly recommend upgrading to our External Cooler Kit because of the high failure rate of the factory design. If you choose to run the stock automatic transmission cooler, you will need this kit to plumb it in.

Engine Oil Cooler: This kit does not include this part of the later 86-91 cooling system, but does have provisions for it to be added later if so desired. Note: adding the cooler is not trivial, changing the exhaust system to the later 86-91 design is required, as well as some slight modifications to early 1.9 liter engine blocks.

Exhaust system: The location of the oxygen sensor on the 1.9 type exhaust system interferes with a part of the 2.1 type cooling system. The alternative to replacing the entire 1.9 exhaust system is simply to move the oxygen sensor to the catalytic converter, where it is located on the 2.1 exhaust system.