air-cooled diesel

[oasis]

Hi,

Can there be an air-cooled diesel? If yes, can it be a Type IV?

The reason I ask is because while waiting to locate a suitable 1303 for my GL project*, I've been reading different materials on water-cooled tuning. (I own a 2002 Golf GLS TDI and a 2002 Cabrio. Neither will get modified until closer to the end of each car's warranty period.) The Cabrio with its 2.0 (the only engine available in the US) has more HP, but less torque than the TDI.

After reading the aforementioned articles on how some have modified the TDI to beat the heck out of comparably modified petrol-burners, and the fact I'm looking for a modified GL that will be torquey (not a word, I’m sure), I started wondering if an air-cooled diesel would be possible/practical/affordable and better, even.

Thanks to anyone who has some thoughts,
René

PS- Installing a water-cooled TDI into a 1303 is not an option for me unless someone can do some pretty good convincing.

*PPS- I am calling a chap in Texas on a 1975 SB tonight. If it sounds as promising as his ad, I may make the 1179 mile trek to check it out in person.