Date:         Mon, 24 Jul 2000 00:09:29 -0500
Reply-To:     Rob & Lrae Winterkorn <volksman@enteract.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rob & Lrae Winterkorn <volksman@enteract.com>
Subject:      Re: Engine Conversion and MPG
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

My 2.0 16V Passat powered Vanagon has been getting at the lowest pulling my
1983 Starcraft pop-up at an avg. speed of 70 mph: 18 mpg.
When my wife drives it around town she gets 21-24 mpg.
I tend to enjoy going fast so I get between 20-23. Was pulled over for going
80 mph pulling the camper last month. He let me go with a warning. He was a
nice Illinois state trooper.
This is based on using the stock transmission, 93 octane gas, stock size
tires and using the trip meter.
I will be making a 600 mile road trip this week I will try the mile markers,
and an average over the entire trip and post the accuracy.
I plan on porting the heads and installing a chip in the near future with
the hope of increasing the gas mileage.

This van (Lord willing) will be at Busses by the arch in September. I will
be glad to take list members on a ride possibly even drive it for those
interested.
Lee & Tom, two list members have had this opportunity. I know it was the
deciding fact for Tom to convert his Westie and for his brother. I have not
heard from Lee yet since he and his wife took it for a little spin.

I have been enjoying the discussion on conversions and have held back on
several occasions to jump in.
I think Ken said it all with doing what ever it takes to keep our beloved
Vanagons on the road, and out of the yard.

Rob

from the words of sam-i-am: don't knock it till you try it.

David Ricketts wrote:

> I was a little surprised to hear some of the MPG quoted with engine mods
> and conversions.  I believe one person said he had 30mpg with a Bus and
> someone else had 25mpg with increased horse power.
>
> Can anyone comment on MPG above 22mpg.  Are you getting it with a
> conversion or modifications or stock.  I am dripping along at 16 mpg,
> with a motor that doesn't have a lot of power.
>
> Thanks,
>
> David