Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 10:33:57 -0600
Reply-To: Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Re: AT speeds/rpm's
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2002070300213928@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Good story ben.
I agree that it is not good for any automobile engines to run over 3500
rpm for prolonged periods. I try to keep mine under 3900. Unfortunately
it would be dangerous for me to drive my van under 3500 rpm on the local
freeway. The local speed limit is 75 mph with lots of big trucks doing
well over 80 mph! Sorry for the english units. I suppose i could only
take "blue highways" but this would be impractical. Damn that Bill
Clinton for giving states the right to raise the U.S. speed limits above
55!
I also don't understand how anyone can justify running a tiico or any
other engine at these rpm's. Sure everyone says the tiico is a high rpm
engine but ive driven in a few golf's/jettas and the only time these
engines reach 4000 rpm is when you're doing like 90 on the higway or
really revving thru the gears. Diesels are supposed to run even slower!
I do know one guy that is having a custom tranny built for his tdi
conversion and this seems to be a smart thing to do.
On Wed, 3 Jul 2002,
Ben huot wrote:
> What the hell is 70mph in a vanagon, is it WARP speed.
> Also, can a vanagon reach 4000 RPM in fourth gear, is it possible, maybe
> down hill with me pushing in the back, I will try tomorrow...(I have to
> admit that I never tried)
>
> Well, if all you guys are going faster than 60/65, no wonder that you get a
> poor fuel consumption, overheating and parts falling behind!!! That is
> maybe why I do 320miles with one full tank and have almost no oil
> consumption (3000miles) driving at 55/60. I would never go higher than
> 3500rpm, never.
>
>
> I have a good one; the other day coming back from a long weekend, a 70/79
> VW bus pass me by, I was going 60 and I clearly heard the flat-4. I said to
> my girl; well that evolution, we have an 87 that does not like to run
> higher than 60/65 and a old fart VW bus is going 70!!!!!! 30 miles later I
> see a yellow things full of smoke on the side of the road!!! Well it was
> the bus! I stop, and ask if I can help! 2 very nice ladies (about 25 and
> real pretty) dress like hippies get out of the bus and said; I don't know
> what happen, everything was going great and suddenly::: BANG, so we stop.
> The AC flat-4 was missing part of the crankcase!!! I said, do you have a
> gauge for temperature? She said, what's that! ?%$/%&$/?*%/ to myself!!!! I
> ask at what speed and for how long were you driving the van like that? She
> replies, for 3 hours with the pedal on the floor!!!!!!!!!! Women!!! (Joke
> of course). She finally said that they where late and the bus was too slow
> at 70!!!!
> The bus was in top shape. New engine and a very nice new paint job, the
> interior was amazing, the bus was a gift from her dad!!!!
>
> The conclusion; most VW bus/vanagon driver don't know, don't care about
> "Driving intelligently" with a somewhat fragile vehicle.
>
> Ben
> http://www3.sympatico.ca/huotx/engine1.htm
> http://www.vwvans.com/
>
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