Subaru was introduced towards US in 1968 ended up it very first held its headquarters in Philadelphia till it had been acquired through the FHI in 1986. In 1989, Subaru has signed a partnership with Isuzu and formed a factory in Indiana in which the Subaru Legacy and Isuzu Rodeo were definitely the initial ones provided to the American marketplace.

It was also in 1968 when the Japanese federal government has enacted a brand new law that needed automotive businesses to have mergers. This aimed in the goal to produce an ordinary and healthy bond relating to improvement, creation and competition between the different makes and models. Nissan, Toyota, Isuzu and Common Motors are amid the businesses who have held shares of ownership to this division of Fuji Heavy Industries.

The most popular model that Subaru is recognized for could be the Impreza WRX. It is frequently employed in rally driving and is amid the top effectiveness cars in the market. The Toyota Motor Corporation holds about 16% of the firm and is currently their partial partner for development, manufacturing and distribution. Subaru is in addition best known for the consistent use in the 4WD and all-wheel drive technology in its transmission and the application of boxer engines. They have also been able to constantly develop cars that utilized turbocharged boxer engines; these have been in a position to prove that even when you may need a passenger car or truck, it can nevertheless give you that extra oomph that you require. They’ve been in a position to combine efficiency, function and comfort within the versions that they have produced.

When used as a supercharger, the HKS hi power exhaust lets more exhaust velocity through for better mid range boosts and more high RPM power. Those vehicles that are naturally aspirated will see better exhaust flow when the engine’s tuning levels go up. There are some silent HKS hi power exhaust versions that have a silencer inside the muffler. All of the HKS hi power exhaust systems are made out of stainless steel tips and mufflers, and some of these tips range in size from 96mm to 120 mm in diameter depending on make and model of the vehicle. Piping diameters range from 55mm-95mm depending on the make and model of vehicle application. There are special editions of carbon titanium HKS hi power exhausts that are only available for specific models of vehicle. These special versions are made of a carbon fibered wrap shell on the muffler, a titanium tip and piping that is made of polished stainless steel.

Some of these models of HKS hi power exhaust systems are available from the catalytic converter back, and these are only available for certain makes and models of vehicle. These high powered exhaust systems use a race inspired angled mounted stainless steel piping system that allows for the greatest flow from cat to pipe, allowing for more horsepower as well. These are considered true JDM exhaust systems, which are known to work best for turbocharged vehicles, but also works exceptionally well on naturally aspirated vehicles as well. The low resistance offered by the design of the muffler means that you will get more power than most other types of exhaust.

The smallest Acura model RSX Base, and will only fit the 2-03 2.0 liter engines. The piping diameter is 60 mm, the tip is 115 mm in diameter and includes a silencer as well as being made of coated stainless steel. The HKS hi powered exhaust system for a Honda Civic offers bolt on cat back exhaust made of stainless steel like all other models. The inner silencer is included, and is made in Japan with a pipe size of 55mm and a tip size of 96mm. The most popular of all HKS hi power exhaust systems sold is the Mitsubishi Eclipse model. This system offers a tip size of 96mm and 65mm pipe size, and is also made of the same materials including the stainless steel finish.

HKS Hi-Power Exhaust systems incorporate a race inspired angled mounted stainless steel muffler and piping design for greater flow and higher-RPM power gains. Depending on the application, piping size ranges from 55 to 95mm. For more details visit http://www.erzperformance.com.

As most of you know Volkswagen Vanagons have been manufacturered from 1980 through 1991. Different versions in the United States included the passenger style van, the Weekender camper, the Westfalia camper and Wolfsburg & Carat Editions. We’ll break these models down further as we go on.

The models from 1980 to mid 1983 were air cooled versions of the T3 van. They lacked the lower grill that allows air to the radiator of the late 1983 thru 1991 US models. This is an easy way to know if the vanagon you’re standing in front of is an air cooled model or not. The early models through 1985 also had round headlights. That’s a dead give away if nobody has changed them. Many people will purchase a grill and headlamp system from a 1986 or newer vehicle to give their older Vanagon the appearance of being much newer. The square headlamp are brighter too.

Air cooled models of the Vanagon and Westfalia didn’t produce very good heat for the interior of the van since there isn’t any liquid cooling system to run coolant through a heater core like the newer versions. If you like a really warm heater, you may not want to buy one that is pre 1984.

The water cooled models or “Wasserboxer” arrived on the US market in late 1983 and sported a 1.9 liter engine with a Digijet or Digital Jet-Tronic fuel management system. This model also included some options including a nicer interior, tachometer, and better transmission. On the exterior the headlamps were now rectangular, plastic bumpers and alloy wheels were also options. The 1986 Vanagon also included a better optional air conditioning system that had an airliner style duct system running the length of the vehicle’s ceiling, on the passenger models.

An automatic transmission was available in vanagon models from 1980 thru 1991. Some say the automatic transmission was tougher than the manual transmission because up until the 1990 model year, the 3/4 gear synchro slider hub was of a flawed design. This sometimes caused the manual tranmissions to get stuck in 3rd or 4th gear. We think that for pure longevity, the manual transmission is still a better choice.

The Syncro model four wheel drive van was available from 1985 through 1992. These models are highly sout after and can be exremely expensive to purchase now. The camper versions of the Syncro in very good condition can bring over $100,000 US. Many people are now buying passenger style Syncros, and paying to have the top cut off and changed to a pop top camper roof. This is an expensive customization coming in at about $7000 by the time it’s all done. Remember, this doesn’t include and of the camper cabinets, beds, sink, stove or fridge. You have to find a donor Westy for that. Still, some people have to have a 4 wheel drive vanagon camper for their outdoor adventures. Truthfully we find that a slightly lifted two wheel drive camper will go about 90% of the places you would ever go. It also saves you tens of thousands of dollars for groceries and gas on your camping trips. Don’t get me wrong, a Syncro camper is a very cool and valuable vehicle. It’s just out of most peoples price range for a 20 year old van.

Syncros should be supplied with front and rear diff locks as the differential housing isn’t that strong, and are subject to failure if loads are carried. The diff locks help prevent wheel slippage in off road conditions and help overcome the limited axle articulation. Make sure any syncro you purchase has protective skid plate for the driveline and transmission. If not, install them as soon as possible before any serious offroad adventure.

In the grand scheme of things, the Vanagons are still a good value if you find a nice one and keep it maintained. They have their problems and design flaws that are constantly being looked at and addressed by Rocky Mountain Westy. We want to keep these vehicles on the road for a long time to come. Let’s look at some common things that need to me inspected when you’re shopping for a Vanagon or Westfalia.

• Do you want an air cooled model or water cooled model? (better heat in the water cooled model among a lot of other improvements)
• Head gaskets leaking on the 1.9 and the 2.1 liter Wasserboxers. (have a technicain familier with the Vanagon check the head gaskets for seepage. This can easily be a $1200 repair after you purchase the van. They all do it.)
• Cooling system leaks and cracks in the coolant towers or water distribution flanges. (the factory coolant tower that distribute coolant to numerous hoses get brittle and crack. This will cause an overheating condition damaging the engine. We make stainless steel replacements that will never fail.)
• Coolant pipes leaking or cracked? (there is a set of coolant pipes that run from the engine up to the front of the vehicle to carry coolant to and from the radiator. These will crack and leak also. Replace them with a stainless lifetime set from us.)
• Check for major oil leaks on the engine (vanagons leak, but make sure it’s not dumping puddles of oil on the ground in a short time. Valve cover gaskets are easy to replace. Crankshaft seals, rear main seals and oil pumps leak commonly)
• Check axle boots for cuts or tears. (dirt in the CV joints of the axles will destroy them and they will need to be replaced)
• Camper buyers check the appliances. (make sure the stove, sink and fridge are all in good working order.)
• Check the canvas and upper bunk in the campers. (open the top, it only takes a few seconds and you can check the condition of the upper bunk and tent canvas. The canvas isn’t super expensive to replace, but it’s exremely time consuming to replace it correctly.)
• Brake master cylinder leaks.(the master cylinder is located in back of the instrument cluster. A lot of people that own a T3 never even knew that. They tend to leak from the master cylinder or reservior. Check both areas.)
• If you find a Vanagon or camper with factory A/C, make sure it is working properly. If you really need it to work in this vehicle, it can be very expensive to repair, especially in a camper as some of the lines run through the cabinets,etc)
• Upper ball joints (most T3s need upper ball joints replaced after about 150K miles. Not a big deal, but add it to your expense list while negotiating a price for the vehicle.
• Camper interiors. (check to make sure all the curtains and tie backs are in place. All the cushions are there. The rear seat and upper bunk fold properly. Also check the swivel seats for operation. Most campers have them)

We think this will give you a pretty good idea what to look for when buying a T3 van or camper. Remember, it’s very important to do a very detailed inspection and test drive of the vehicle before you commit to purchasing it. If you are not familier with Vanagons, take it to a shop that works on them all the time for an inspection. Bring this list if you want. We hope this helps you in your search for the perfect T3. Make sure to come see us online at RockyMountainWesty. We’ll help you keep that Vanagon in tip top shape.

Rocky Mountain Westy Inc. is your Volkswagen Vanagon expert parts, accessory and service company. We will continue to bring important Vanagon and Westfalia information to the people who love them. Stay tuned for more great information. For more information about Volkswagen Vanagons and Westfalia campers, check out http://www.rockymountainwesty.com

As most of you know Volkswagen Vanagons have been manufacturered from 1980 through 1991. Different versions in the United States included the passenger style van, the Weekender camper, the Westfalia camper and Wolfsburg & Carat Editions. We’ll break these models down further as we go on.

The models from 1980 to mid 1983 were air cooled versions of the T3 van. They lacked the lower grill that allows air to the radiator of the late 1983 thru 1991 US models. This is an easy way to know if the vanagon you’re standing in front of is an air cooled model or not. The early models through 1985 also had round headlights. That’s a dead give away if nobody has changed them. Many people will purchase a grill and headlamp system from a 1986 or newer vehicle to give their older Vanagon the appearance of being much newer. The square headlamp are brighter too.

Air cooled models of the Vanagon and Westfalia didn’t produce very good heat for the interior of the van since there isn’t any liquid cooling system to run coolant through a heater core like the newer versions. If you like a really warm heater, you may not want to buy one that is pre 1984.

The water cooled models or “Wasserboxer” arrived on the US market in late 1983 and sported a 1.9 liter engine with a Digijet or Digital Jet-Tronic fuel management system. This model also included some options including a nicer interior, tachometer, and better transmission. On the exterior the headlamps were now rectangular, plastic bumpers and alloy wheels were also options. The 1986 Vanagon also included a better optional air conditioning system that had an airliner style duct system running the length of the vehicle’s ceiling, on the passenger models.

An automatic transmission was available in vanagon models from 1980 thru 1991. Some say the automatic transmission was tougher than the manual transmission because up until the 1990 model year, the 3/4 gear synchro slider hub was of a flawed design. This sometimes caused the manual tranmissions to get stuck in 3rd or 4th gear. We think that for pure longevity, the manual transmission is still a better choice.

The Syncro model four wheel drive van was available from 1985 through 1992. These models are highly sout after and can be exremely expensive to purchase now. The camper versions of the Syncro in very good condition can bring over $100,000 US. Many people are now buying passenger style Syncros, and paying to have the top cut off and changed to a pop top camper roof. This is an expensive customization coming in at about $7000 by the time it’s all done. Remember, this doesn’t include and of the camper cabinets, beds, sink, stove or fridge. You have to find a donor Westy for that. Still, some people have to have a 4 wheel drive vanagon camper for their outdoor adventures. Truthfully we find that a slightly lifted two wheel drive camper will go about 90% of the places you would ever go. It also saves you tens of thousands of dollars for groceries and gas on your camping trips. Don’t get me wrong, a Syncro camper is a very cool and valuable vehicle. It’s just out of most peoples price range for a 20 year old van.

Syncros should be supplied with front and rear diff locks as the differential housing isn’t that strong, and are subject to failure if loads are carried. The diff locks help prevent wheel slippage in off road conditions and help overcome the limited axle articulation. Make sure any syncro you purchase has protective skid plate for the driveline and transmission. If not, install them as soon as possible before any serious offroad adventure.

In the grand scheme of things, the Vanagons are still a good value if you find a nice one and keep it maintained. They have their problems and design flaws that are constantly being looked at and addressed by Rocky Mountain Westy. We want to keep these vehicles on the road for a long time to come. Let’s look at some common things that need to me inspected when you’re shopping for a Vanagon or Westfalia.

• Do you want an air cooled model or water cooled model? (better heat in the water cooled model among a lot of other improvements)
• Head gaskets leaking on the 1.9 and the 2.1 liter Wasserboxers. (have a technicain familier with the Vanagon check the head gaskets for seepage. This can easily be a $1200 repair after you purchase the van. They all do it.)
• Cooling system leaks and cracks in the coolant towers or water distribution flanges. (the factory coolant tower that distribute coolant to numerous hoses get brittle and crack. This will cause an overheating condition damaging the engine. We make stainless steel replacements that will never fail.)
• Coolant pipes leaking or cracked? (there is a set of coolant pipes that run from the engine up to the front of the vehicle to carry coolant to and from the radiator. These will crack and leak also. Replace them with a stainless lifetime set from us.)
• Check for major oil leaks on the engine (vanagons leak, but make sure it’s not dumping puddles of oil on the ground in a short time. Valve cover gaskets are easy to replace. Crankshaft seals, rear main seals and oil pumps leak commonly)
• Check axle boots for cuts or tears. (dirt in the CV joints of the axles will destroy them and they will need to be replaced)
• Camper buyers check the appliances. (make sure the stove, sink and fridge are all in good working order.)
• Check the canvas and upper bunk in the campers. (open the top, it only takes a few seconds and you can check the condition of the upper bunk and tent canvas. The canvas isn’t super expensive to replace, but it’s exremely time consuming to replace it correctly.)
• Brake master cylinder leaks.(the master cylinder is located in back of the instrument cluster. A lot of people that own a T3 never even knew that. They tend to leak from the master cylinder or reservior. Check both areas.)
• If you find a Vanagon or camper with factory A/C, make sure it is working properly. If you really need it to work in this vehicle, it can be very expensive to repair, especially in a camper as some of the lines run through the cabinets,etc)
• Upper ball joints (most T3s need upper ball joints replaced after about 150K miles. Not a big deal, but add it to your expense list while negotiating a price for the vehicle.
• Camper interiors. (check to make sure all the curtains and tie backs are in place. All the cushions are there. The rear seat and upper bunk fold properly. Also check the swivel seats for operation. Most campers have them)

We think this will give you a pretty good idea what to look for when buying a T3 van or camper. Remember, it’s very important to do a very detailed inspection and test drive of the vehicle before you commit to purchasing it. If you are not familier with Vanagons, take it to a shop that works on them all the time for an inspection. Bring this list if you want. We hope this helps you in your search for the perfect T3. Make sure to come see us online at RockyMountainWesty. We’ll help you keep that Vanagon in tip top shape.

Rocky Mountain Westy Inc. is your Volkswagen Vanagon expert parts, accessory and service company. We will continue to bring important Vanagon and Westfalia information to the people who love them. Stay tuned for more great information. For more information about Volkswagen Vanagons and Westfalia campers, check out http://www.rockymountainwesty.com

As most of you know Volkswagen Vanagons have been manufacturered from 1980 through 1991. Different versions in the United States included the passenger style van, the Weekender camper, the Westfalia camper and Wolfsburg & Carat Editions. We’ll break these models down further as we go on.

The models from 1980 to mid 1983 were air cooled versions of the T3 van. They lacked the lower grill that allows air to the radiator of the late 1983 thru 1991 US models. This is an easy way to know if the vanagon you’re standing in front of is an air cooled model or not. The early models through 1985 also had round headlights. That’s a dead give away if nobody has changed them. Many people will purchase a grill and headlamp system from a 1986 or newer vehicle to give their older Vanagon the appearance of being much newer. The square headlamp are brighter too.

Air cooled models of the Vanagon and Westfalia didn’t produce very good heat for the interior of the van since there isn’t any liquid cooling system to run coolant through a heater core like the newer versions. If you like a really warm heater, you may not want to buy one that is pre 1984.

The water cooled models or “Wasserboxer” arrived on the US market in late 1983 and sported a 1.9 liter engine with a Digijet or Digital Jet-Tronic fuel management system. This model also included some options including a nicer interior, tachometer, and better transmission. On the exterior the headlamps were now rectangular, plastic bumpers and alloy wheels were also options. The 1986 Vanagon also included a better optional air conditioning system that had an airliner style duct system running the length of the vehicle’s ceiling, on the passenger models.

An automatic transmission was available in vanagon models from 1980 thru 1991. Some say the automatic transmission was tougher than the manual transmission because up until the 1990 model year, the 3/4 gear synchro slider hub was of a flawed design. This sometimes caused the manual tranmissions to get stuck in 3rd or 4th gear. We think that for pure longevity, the manual transmission is still a better choice.

The Syncro model four wheel drive van was available from 1985 through 1992. These models are highly sout after and can be exremely expensive to purchase now. The camper versions of the Syncro in very good condition can bring over $100,000 US. Many people are now buying passenger style Syncros, and paying to have the top cut off and changed to a pop top camper roof. This is an expensive customization coming in at about $7000 by the time it’s all done. Remember, this doesn’t include and of the camper cabinets, beds, sink, stove or fridge. You have to find a donor Westy for that. Still, some people have to have a 4 wheel drive vanagon camper for their outdoor adventures. Truthfully we find that a slightly lifted two wheel drive camper will go about 90% of the places you would ever go. It also saves you tens of thousands of dollars for groceries and gas on your camping trips. Don’t get me wrong, a Syncro camper is a very cool and valuable vehicle. It’s just out of most peoples price range for a 20 year old van.

Syncros should be supplied with front and rear diff locks as the differential housing isn’t that strong, and are subject to failure if loads are carried. The diff locks help prevent wheel slippage in off road conditions and help overcome the limited axle articulation. Make sure any syncro you purchase has protective skid plate for the driveline and transmission. If not, install them as soon as possible before any serious offroad adventure.

In the grand scheme of things, the Vanagons are still a good value if you find a nice one and keep it maintained. They have their problems and design flaws that are constantly being looked at and addressed by Rocky Mountain Westy. We want to keep these vehicles on the road for a long time to come. Let’s look at some common things that need to me inspected when you’re shopping for a Vanagon or Westfalia.

• Do you want an air cooled model or water cooled model? (better heat in the water cooled model among a lot of other improvements)
• Head gaskets leaking on the 1.9 and the 2.1 liter Wasserboxers. (have a technicain familier with the Vanagon check the head gaskets for seepage. This can easily be a $1200 repair after you purchase the van. They all do it.)
• Cooling system leaks and cracks in the coolant towers or water distribution flanges. (the factory coolant tower that distribute coolant to numerous hoses get brittle and crack. This will cause an overheating condition damaging the engine. We make stainless steel replacements that will never fail.)
• Coolant pipes leaking or cracked? (there is a set of coolant pipes that run from the engine up to the front of the vehicle to carry coolant to and from the radiator. These will crack and leak also. Replace them with a stainless lifetime set from us.)
• Check for major oil leaks on the engine (vanagons leak, but make sure it’s not dumping puddles of oil on the ground in a short time. Valve cover gaskets are easy to replace. Crankshaft seals, rear main seals and oil pumps leak commonly)
• Check axle boots for cuts or tears. (dirt in the CV joints of the axles will destroy them and they will need to be replaced)
• Camper buyers check the appliances. (make sure the stove, sink and fridge are all in good working order.)
• Check the canvas and upper bunk in the campers. (open the top, it only takes a few seconds and you can check the condition of the upper bunk and tent canvas. The canvas isn’t super expensive to replace, but it’s exremely time consuming to replace it correctly.)
• Brake master cylinder leaks.(the master cylinder is located in back of the instrument cluster. A lot of people that own a T3 never even knew that. They tend to leak from the master cylinder or reservior. Check both areas.)
• If you find a Vanagon or camper with factory A/C, make sure it is working properly. If you really need it to work in this vehicle, it can be very expensive to repair, especially in a camper as some of the lines run through the cabinets,etc)
• Upper ball joints (most T3s need upper ball joints replaced after about 150K miles. Not a big deal, but add it to your expense list while negotiating a price for the vehicle.
• Camper interiors. (check to make sure all the curtains and tie backs are in place. All the cushions are there. The rear seat and upper bunk fold properly. Also check the swivel seats for operation. Most campers have them)

We think this will give you a pretty good idea what to look for when buying a T3 van or camper. Remember, it’s very important to do a very detailed inspection and test drive of the vehicle before you commit to purchasing it. If you are not familier with Vanagons, take it to a shop that works on them all the time for an inspection. Bring this list if you want. We hope this helps you in your search for the perfect T3. Make sure to come see us online at RockyMountainWesty. We’ll help you keep that Vanagon in tip top shape.

Rocky Mountain Westy Inc. is your Volkswagen Vanagon expert parts, accessory and service company. We will continue to bring important Vanagon and Westfalia information to the people who love them. Stay tuned for more great information. For more information about Volkswagen Vanagons and Westfalia campers, check out http://www.rockymountainwesty.com

Three small upscale SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Land Rover LR2, and the Infiniti EX35 are at the top of many review panels. The Tiguan and the EX35 have great performance and exceptional handling. The Land Rover LR2, in comparison, out-performed all other similar sized vehicles in off-road tests without any low-range gearing. The Tiguan and the EX35 are new models, while the LR2 replaces the Land Rover Freelander. New prices for these three vehicles range from $35,000 to $40,000.

Some less expensive small SUVs would include the new and redesigned Subaru Forester XT and the Toyota RAV4. Both of these models were given a better crash test rating than any other similar vehicles of this design.

When it comes to downsized SUVs, with its latest revisions, the Murano offers a more defined ride and a newly designed interior. Although it is a less sporty vehicle compared to its original model, the price is much less than the other models, which contain comparable equipment, such as the Lexus RX350, while scoring just as well.

The latest Toyota Highlander model, which is another downsized SUV, is currently the top-rated vehicle of its class in all venues. In performance, crash test, maneuverability, and other road-worthy tests, it stands above and beyond any other comparable SUV in its class.

Future downsized SUVs include the sporty, redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot as well as the all-new Ford Flex. Sporty mid-sized SUVs of the future include the BMW X6, the Infiniti FX, and the Toyota Venza.

Bond Mejeh produces automotive related articles for Quick Cash Auto, a cash for cars service. Quick Cash Auto not only buys pre-owned vehicles of any year, make or model, but they also provide numerous articles about vehicle repair and automotive news.

Please visit QuickCashAuto.com for more information and be sure to check out our automotive blog.