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Date:         Mon, 24 Jan 2000 20:12:03 -0700
Reply-To:     Kent Christensen <lkchris@USWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kent Christensen <lkchris@USWEST.NET>
Subject:      Re: VW Trends and Eurospec STILL LACK of power
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

re: Increasing the power of the stock VW T1, T4, Wasserboxer, Inline 4s or 5s or 6s or 8s engines has been going on for many years

This is very true but what is missing is that (I bet) 95% of the time power increases available in the aftermarket provide the newfound power at higher engine rpms, often at the sacrifice of low rpm driveability. Given that Vanagons are really pretty big trucks and not likely to be able to use more power and speed where the road becomes curvy, this seems a little useless. In addition, Vanagon owners have few options when it comes to changing overall gearing to match the new found higher rpm capabilities.

It seems to me the best improvement for a Vanagon is not a "screamer" engine but rather just a bigger one. What currently seems best to me is the VW/Audi 5 cylinder in Eurovan tune. Probably something really close to what VW now offers in South Africa.

Also, while everyone is different and can do what they want, it just seems more likely someone would want to own a high performance Beetle with a screamer engine than a Vanagon set up like that. (Heck, the Beetle can stand really big rear tires to get the gearing, and probably different gears are actually available too.) Vanagons are just utility vehicles and will never outrace even a 4.3 Chevy Astro Van or such unless they have the same engine (he'll be gone by the time you get your rpms up) and who cares? Now, something that pulls itself better through mountains while still obtaining similar or even a little better fuel economy and maintaining driveability seems more the ticket. Back to the 5-cylinder in my thinking.


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