<VV> 3.1 liter

[Cliff Tibbitts]

Tom, I suppose you could call it a kit.  Several people are doing it.
Essentially, you replace the pistons and cylinders with 92mm pistons from a
VW.  It is not a simple bolt on application.  The cylinder fins need to be
re-drilled in order to fit over our head studs.  The crankcase and heads
need to be machined to accept the larger pistons and I believe the small rod
ends on our connecting rods need to be machined to accept the VW piston
pins.  There is probably more to it than that.  

What many claim to achieve is more low end torque.  This alone should make
it a worthwhile investment in a Whale.  The only concern I would have would
be additional heat.  I don't know how well the engine cools in an Ultra.
However, they seem to work very well in the cars.  I know several and have
driven at least one car with a 3.1 in it.  Consider this.  You pick up about
an additional 15% cubic inches.  Since the weight of the rotational mass
increase is almost negligible, it is like getting free horsepower.  That is
if you discount the $2000 plus dollars for the conversion, depending on how
much work you do yourself. 

Cliff Tibbitts
Lexington, KY