Date:         Sun, 19 Mar 2000 23:03:35 -0500
Reply-To:     John Anderson <jander14@WVU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Anderson <jander14@WVU.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Top speed of a vanagon
In-Reply-To:  <006301bf9209$a1b025e0$026fa8c0@Noel>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>mph.  (I was using a short cut which is obviously based on a different
>number for the rolling circumference of the tire, possibly more accurate)
>Does a 2WD vanagon turn at 3,544 rpms at 60 MPH?  does that sound right?
>
>I think I was way too tired when I ran the numbers last night.  (math was
>never my strong subject anyway)

For anyone who doesn't like math, I have a neat little Excel spreadsheet I
jogged out quick a few years back that a lot of people have used over
the years giving RPM versus gear ratios and tire diameters.  Anyone
interested, pmail me and I'll send a copy.  Nothing exotic here folks, but
it does give it all in one easy to read shot.

As to the 2WD rpms, about right, if I recall without going to look in anything
that they went back to a 4.86 on the waterboxer and it seems to me the
4th is corresondingly maybe an .85?  That would actually give 60mph at
3250 rpm with stock 185 (80) R 14 tires.  For any wondering 4500 rpm is
about 85 mph, 5000 rpm 93 mph.  I recall I used to drive the '86 all the time
at around 80 or so, and it was up there in high end of the black band on the
tach.  Going to a 27x8.5R14 tire will extend you a bit, works real nice on
2WD waterboxers with the 4.86, whereas they are a bit tall for the 4.57 in
the aircooled vans.  The 27 bring 4500 near 88mph.

Anyway anyone who wants the spreadsheet, pmail me, it is quite small.

John
jander14@wvu.edu
(who notes this all in a trivial way as I seldom drive the '87 over 65)